A Luau to Celebrate the Grand Opening
of the
Mill Valley Masonic Events Center
On Saturday evening September 20th at 6:30 p.m., at the Mill Valley Masonic Events Center, 19 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941, Mill Valley Lodge No. 356, F & AM will host an Hawaiian Luau as part of its public Centennial Events and Grand Re-Opening of its banquet hall following extensive Centennial Renovations . The suggested donation of $40 per person includes the floor show and traditional Hawaiian style menu. Paid reservations must be made in advance by calling reservationist Charles Sands at (415) 381-6804.
Entertainment will be provided by Na Hula 'Ohana' O Maiohao which will present "Kumulipo: In the Beginning." Na Hula `Ohana O Maiohao, is led by Kuilei Paiaina Kaukau (Emily Beard). The group is named for the hula family of Maiohao Paiaina Kaukau, Emily Beard's Hawaiian father. The group's mission is to perpetuate, preserve, and maintain the historical, traditional and cultural beliefs of the polynesian people through the art of hula (dance), oli (chant), mele (music), and `olelo (language).
Hula `auana commonly referred to as modern hula is actually performed without ceremony. Emily Beard was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Emily's parents taught her the art of hula `auana, when she was 2 and had her performing at the age of 3 along with three older sisters. Polynesian Tikis Catering, was their family business throughout her youth and all Kupuna (elders) consisting of grandparents, aunties and uncles were involved in the preparation of the imu (kalua pig), other traditional foods and polynesian entertainment. At the age of 16, Tutu (grandmother) sent Emily to Makaha to learn the art of Tahitian and to learn Hawaiian craftmaking.
Emily's thirst for knowledge of her hawaiian heritage may never be quenched as each day she is driven to explore and discover the sacred links of the past, practicing an unwavering dedication to the present, and assisting the dramatic unfolding for the next generation of Polynesians. As Emily states,
Hawaii has touched the hearts of almost every culture in the world and perhaps it is to share the essence and lure of aloha; to live life in pure humility. The Polynesian culture is flourishing now and I am deeply grateful to be a small part of that radiance. In closing, I share with you these traditional words of wisdom, 'He make no ke kalo, a ola no i ke palili, e ola i`a u kakou' (our ancestors have passed but will live on within us, may life be with all of us).
Malama Pono,
Kuilei Paiaina Kaukau (Emily Beard)
There will be an authentic Hawaiian menu. The Lodge's own resident Chef, Edouard Walder, will prepare the dinner. Trained in Switzerland, during the course of his career, Chef Walder has won numerous culinary awards. He has taught at the Culinary Institute of America in San Francisco and other culinary schools. He has had his own restaurants in cities including: Montevideo, Uruguay; and Fairfax, CA. He has been head chef at major hotels around the world, including: Havana, Cuba; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Miami, FL; and San Francisco, CA.
Mill Valley Lodge No. 356, F & AM has been a part of the fabric of the community from its beginning a century ago. The beautiful Masonic Lodge Hall was constructed in 1903 by some of Mill Valley’s earliest and most distinguished families. The lodge has continued to operate here, in performance of its fraternal and charitable activities, for almost 100 years. The Centennial Renovation, which incorporates passive solar technology to generate electricity, demonstrates the Lodge's continuing progressive leadership in Mill Valley. The Lodge looks forward to sharing the spirit of aloha with all its friends in the community at this special benefit Grand Opening event.
A limited number of general public tickets will be sold to benefit the Centennial Renovation building fund: The suggested donation of $40 per person includes the floor show and traditional Hawaiian style menu. Members of Mill Valley Lodge receive a discount, proving the old adage, "Membership has its privileges." Dress will be Hawaiian casual. Paid reservations must be made in advance by calling reservationist Charles Sands at (415) 381-6804.
© Copyright.
All rights reserved. No portion of this page may be reprinted or otherwise duplicated
without express written permission from the respective authors.
___________