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WEST HAWAII TODAY | BIG ISLAND ENTERTAINMENT SCENE FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017 | 3 The Gertrude Stein Art Dinner American novelist, poet and art collector, Gertrude Stein said a writer should write with his eyes, and a painter paint with his ears. An essential figure of the early 20th century avant-garde, Stein was an experimental writer and friend to such classic greats as Picasso, Hemingway, Cézanne, Matisse and Fitzgerald, to name a few. With her work sometimes beyond comprehension, who better to model an artist dinner after than Stein? At 6 p.m. Monday, Gertrude’s Jazz Bar presents its third monthly Art Dinner to benefit the Kona Hotel Artist Residency Program. “The dinner will be in the back bar, a smaller setting, and the restaurant will still be open,” said Kira Kamamalu, one of the owners of Gertrude’s Jazz Bar and event organizer. “Gertrude Stein was a famously brilliant American writer who had an equally famous and brilliant artist salon in Paris where she supported the ideas of many artists and writers for the rest of the world to discover later.” Gertrude’s Jazz Bar — which sits in the top story of a building across from Kailua Bay at the north end of Alii Drive where it curves into Palani Road — is designed as a venue to bring artists and patrons of the arts together to collaborate and appreciate the creativity offered by the Kona community. The first Monday of every month, culinary artist Scott Hamilton shares his creativity by creating unique meals inspired by famous artists. Kamamalu and Hamilton join forces to infuse the dinners with not only surprise courses but themed decor and live entertainment. Last month’s dinner honored the painter Henri Matisse with splashes of color and come-to-life “paintings” of live musicians. Guests were treated to food and wine parings designed around, and named after, the artist’s most famous works. For example, one course was entitled ‘The Joy of Life,’ a Boeuf bourguignon with Hamakua mushrooms and pear onions. Another was entitled ‘The Snail,’ a dish of escargot with potato and fromage blanc. Chef Hamilton introduces each course and Kamamalu explains the relationship between the food and the artist. It’s easily the tastiest art class that ever existed. “We love our guests to leave with memories of great food and enjoyable conversations with friends,” said Kamamalu. “We want this to be something that will entertain them for the rest of their lives.” In 1903, Stein moved to Paris with her lover Alice B. Toklas, who remained her partner throughout her life. Stein’s salon in Paris was a gathering spot for many young artists and writers in Paris, and was a key location in Hemingway’s memior, “A Moveable Feast.” Monday evening’s dinner is bound to reflect these dynamics in several dimensions. “There is a very heavy nod to the French cuisine of Gertrude’s era,” explained Kamamalu. We will be pairing some dishes from Stein’s time period — a time when food garnered great respect, along with history, painting and all the arts. It will also be in the back bar with limited seating so it will be more personal and intimate — salon style. Chef Hamilton will sit at the tables and talk about art and inspiration.” “Gertrude is also the namesake of our Jazz Club, so a dinner to honor her is only natural,” she said. “It is the artistic-tryptic of cuisine, cocktails and art — taking the ever popular food and wine pairing to the next dimension!” The cost of the event is a donation of $75. All proceeds from every art dinner in the series will benefit the Kona Hotel Artist in Residency program in Holualoa. Gertrude’s Art Dinner Series continues every first Monday of the month. Upcoming dinners are as follows: Aug.7 — Cole Porter; Sept. 4 — Alexander Calder; Oct. 2 — Pablo Picasso. Info: 327-5299 or visit gertrudesjazzbar.com ■ ONCE ON THIS ISLAN JR. By Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty Revel in this Full-Hearted Tale of Love Once On This Island Jr., with its poignant story and catchy Caribbean-fl avored score, uses elements from Romeo & Juliet and The Little Mermaid to enchant the denizens of the French Antilles. Singing gods, dancing storytellers, and an array of colorful villagers will all be played by Kona youngsters age 18 and under. June 23 – July 2, 2017 Fridays & Saturdays 7:30pm Sundays 2:30pm Adults $15 Seniors/Young Adults $12 Children $5 alohatheatre.com • (808) 322-9924 Tastiest and classiest art education in town BY KAREN ROSE SPECIAL TO WEST HAWAII TODAY Music – House-made chocolate. Bathers by the River – Grenouille a la Nage. COURTESY PHOTOS Wine pairings will be a part of the evening.


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