WCC workshops hone guitar skills
The Hawai‘i Music Institute at Windward Community College is offering workshops where students can polish their slack-key and steel guitar skills with guitar masters Ron Loo and Bobby Ingano, and study with voice coach Neva Rego.
The cost for each workshop is $20. To register, call 235-7433 or go to the Office of Career & Community Education in Hale Kuhina, 45-720 Keaahala Road, Kaneohe. Ke Kumu Pali is a co-sponsor. All three sessions will be held in Hale Palanakila 104.
"Steel Guitar with Bobby Ingano" is 6 to 8 p.m. May 16. Ingano, who has performed with Amy Hanaiali‘i, the Brothers Cazimero, Martin Pahinui, Willie K and others, will discuss comping, mental framework, techniques on holding the bar and C6 tuning.
"Slack Key Guitar with Ron and Pomaika‘i Loo" from 6 to 8 p.m. May 17 will focus on the open G tuning and the chords and lyrics of a traditional song using the tablature method. Ron Loo is a respected instructor, entertainer and slack-key master who has conducted numerous workshops on ukulele and slack-key guitar. He will be assisted by son Pomaika‘i Loo, also a gifted musician.
"Voice with Neva Rego" from 10 a.m. to noon May 19 will explore vocal techniques such as breathing, placement, pitch and the legato line. Neva has worked with some of Hawaii’s top entertainers and runs the Bel Canto School of Singing in Honolulu.
MORSELS
Learn about tea at workshop
The Hawaii Tea Club convenes at the interactive workshop "Green Tea at the Greenhouse," featuring Japanese teas.
Participants will learn to identify high-quality green teas and proper brewing techniques and receive an update on the post-tsunami tea industry.
The workshop runs 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday and costs $20. The Greenhouse is at 685 Auahi St. Space is limited. Call 591-9400 or email hawaiiteaclub@gmail.com.
Tofu chef will show you how
"Tofu Cookbook" author Peko Nishimura will hold recipe demonstrations at the Hawaii Book & Music Festival.
Nishimura will be on hand Saturday and Sunday to prepare tofu doughnuts (10:30 a.m.), soboro gohan (noon), tofu dango (1:30 p.m.) and tofu poke (3 p.m.).
Call the Aloha Tofu Factory at 845-2669.
Macrobiotic cooking taught
Macrobiotic Hawaii is offering a "power foods" vegan macrobiotic cooking class, 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The class, led by chef Leslie Ashburn, makes a case for a whole-foods, plant-based diet. Ashburn will demonstrate recipes and pass out samples.
The class will be held at Baby aWEARness at Manoa Marketplace. Call 988-0010. Price is $38 advance, $40 starting Friday. Visit macrobiotichawaii.com and click on "Cooking Classes with Leslie" under the "Chef Services" category.
Free tastings at Ward store
The Liquor Collection at Ward Warehouse hosts free tastings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays this month. Call 524-8808. The lineup
» May 11: Beers from Mehana Brewing Co. and Hawaii Nui Brewing store in Hilo
» May 12: Cachaça
» May 18: Wine
» May 26: Wines from Napa Valley
Winemaker will visit Japengo
Australian winemaker Kym Tolley brings a selection of wines to Japengo restaurant May 15 to accompany a menu by executive chef Sven Ullrich of Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa.
Representing Penley Estates, Tolley will include special varietals brought especially for the dinner.
The menu will include canapés, togarashi-seared yellowfin tuna, local Shinsato pork and a stilton cheese soufflé.
Price is $115. Call 237-6151 or visit waikiki.hyatt.com.
