Weekend Filled With Misery, Happiness, and Coffee

By Vanessa Wolf

You did it, Cowboy.

You survived the sea, the sun and the sharks to see another Friday.

Give yourself a pat on the back, crack open a cold one and take a gander at the best of the best of the best… er… the list of what’s going on this weekend to keep you suitably entertained.

Best Reason to Go On and Get Happy

So when you enter a cave of forgotten dreams do you remember the dreams or remember that you forgot?

Mental Health Kokua and the Angkor Wat International Film Festival are presenting the “Happy Day” event all day today at the MACC’s McCoy Studio Theater.

The mission of the event is to promote happiness through the preservation of culture and the environment. There are films at 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m.

At 7 p.m. is the main event.

Dr. Gary Greenberg will be presenting a talk entitled, “A Three-Dimensional Journey into the Magical Microscopic World of Ordinary Things” and the name is a little long, but methinks this will be some cool stuff.

During this presentation, attendees will see moon dust from the Apollo Moon Mission in three dimensions along with other natural wonders.

Dr. Greenberg’s presentation will be followed by the film “Cave of Forgotten Dreams” in 3D.

“Cave of Forgotten Dreams” explores the Chauvet Cave in the south of France.

“Given unprecedented access to the Chauvet Cave, a vast archeological repository, legendary director Werner Herzog and a minimal crew of four crawl through tunnels and balance on delicate metal catwalks, filming the extraordinary and breathtaking cave paintings found within.”

Individual films can be viewed for $7 each, plus applicable fees.

Best (Only?) Thing Going on Upcountry

Courtesy Image

Also tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. in Makawao will be the Maui Friday Town Party celebration. The theme tonight is “Summer Bash.”

Enjoy dancing under the stars with the Haiku Hillbillys.

In addition to dancing the night away on Baldwin Avenue, party guests will enjoy a wide variety of food vendors and more.

Baldwin Avenue will be closed between Brewer Road and Makawao Avenue, between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m. so plan your routes accordingly, yo.

Best Chance to Feel Like You’re on 42nd Street

After months of rehearsals, MAPA’s production of Les Misérables opens tonight in the MACC’s Castle Theater.

Performed live for the first time ever on a Maui stage, there will be just six chances to catch it over the next two weekends.

Based on Victor Hugo’s classic 1862 novel of the same name, the musical is set in early 19th century France.

Ashley Pokorski as young Cosette. Courtesy image

It tells the story of Jean Valjean, a burly French peasant of abnormal strength and potentially violent nature, and his quest for redemption after serving 19 years in jail for having stolen a loaf of bread to give to his starving sister’s child.

Then he breaks parole, deals with a real jerk of a guy, gets caught up in the politics of the time and sings a lot of songs. It’s good stuff. You’ll like it.

Les Misérables opens Aug. 16 and runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Aug. 25 at the MACC.

On Sunday, Aug. 18, audience members are invited to stay for “AfterWords,” a dialogue with members of the artistic team and cast immediately following the matinee.

Tickets are $15 to $65.

Best Use of That $140 Currently Burning a Hole in Your Pocket

Hello, Big Spender.

Tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. Growing Dreams presents “Flora Couture,” a benefit for Maui Youth & Family Services.

The event will feature a fashion show augmented with extravagant floral headpieces and floral-adorned fashions designed by the American Institute of Floral Designers’ (AIFD) Ron Mulray, from the Philadelphia Flower Company.

Mulray will be on-hand to explain and conduct demonstrations with his creations.

There will also be a silent and live auction, flower market and sit-down lunch.

Maui Youth & Family Services’ mission is to empower youth and families challenged with behavioral health issues to become responsible, self-fulfilled and contributing members of the community.

The event is tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa in the Haleakala Ballroom.

Tickets are $140 or $165 for VIP.

Best Excuse to Get So Jittery Your Teeth Chatter

Photo courtesy Slow Food Maui.

Tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Maui Coffee Association will present their 6th Annual Seed to Cup Coffee Festival at the University of Hawaii, Maui Campus.

This is also the bicentennial (i.e. 200 years) of coffee cultivation in Hawaii, and there will be numerous historical displays and demonstrations of coffee processing and brewing methods.

The event includes recipe contests, demonstrations, coffee-infused and inspired food for sale, cold coffee, hot coffee, frozen coffee, kaffe, cups a Joe, 咖啡, double skinny macchiatos on rye easy on the mayo, java and café.

Shaking with anticipation?

You can find all this caffeine at the UH Maui College in and around the Paina Building.

Aware of something that’s happening or going to be happening on Maui? FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, LET US KNOW ABOUT IT: [email protected]