It was recently suggested that I offer an Adult Party theme. Something about the phrase "Adult Party" makes me giggle the same way the staff reacted to "Grey Poupon". ("Did you say poop on?") But, knowing the source, they weren't suggesting any flagged content -- just something for grown-ups. No piñatas. No goody bags. No mutant cakes. (i.e. my dinosaur cake) I'm a people-pleaser -- this week's Let's Party Mondays theme is…. HAWAIIAN LUAU
Decorations
I'm not really going to bother talking about decorations. I don't think a party store can call itself a "Party Store" if it doesn't have a Hawaiian Luau aisle, Mardi Gras section or 50's Dance Party display. So, you know what to do.
Food
This will determine the success or failure of your Luau -- in fact, the Hawaiian translation of Luau is feast. So, you’ve got to get your food on. What incredible pomaika'i (luck) that this grown-up request comes on the heels of a fabulous menu created by the brainchild of bacon, the clever cake-in-the-mug-maker, boozy-paint-can-shaker: Bacon Concentrate. The “Celebrate Someone Special with a Hawaiian Luau Dinner” more than fulfills the feast requirement.
And a party menu dedicated to the Party MOMster just can’t go wrong. (I am so feeling the love -– no more eating cookies with a spoon for me)
Music
I haven’t really talked about music before – it’s not one of my strengths. I am hoping DJ Running Man in the sister offices in Eastern PA will help me with a music post. He knows how to rock an ipod. But, I did a little research on my own and starting off very simply with “Hawaiian Luau Party” at the iTunes store. Two albums popped up.
Hawaiian Luau Party by The Hit Crew came very highly rated. Upon listening to a sampling, it definitely gets your grass skirt shaking. But, with selections like Day-O, Rock Lobster and Cha Cha Slide, it does not have the authentic sound I was hoping for.
Hawaiian Luau Party by various artists is just what I was looking for. Although I am questioning my tolerance for the ukele, I would say it offers a more credible luau sound with hits like Sweet Leilani, Hukilau (of course!) and Hawaiian War Chant (which is certainly not as scary as it sounds). I was reading a review of it on Amazon which included “surprisingly taken up in the fascinating weird world of this amazing CD” – enough said, we have a winner!
With that, I say “Aloha” for now. If you have any “grown up” suggestions, please share. I, myself, am feeling very grown-up. I made it through this whole post without making any jokes about getting “lei’d” (Wait, does that count? Oh, so close.)
WOOOOO HOOOOO for luaus!!! You had to know you'd get two thumbs way up from me, the pineapple head :) Seriously...one trip to Party City and you will have a lifetime of luau decor. Food...you need some roasted, shredded pork. If you want to be REALLY authentic, you could dig a pit, line it with super hot lava rocks then put in a full pig rubbed down with sea salt and covered in wet ti leaves and cook it for a day...but OK, I guess we can't get carried away. You need some pitchers of Mai Tai's and the Blue Hawaii soundtrack...oh and maybe one of the Brady's will let you borrow their tiki necklace. Party...HANA HOU!
ReplyDeleteWow, someone has got their party hat, grass skirt and lei on today! I was thinking of the Brady Bunch goes to Hawaii as well -- that is my authentic Luau point of reference (Hmm, that sounds very sad. Todays' To-Do-List: ticket to Hawaii -- ASAP)
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the poi (spelling?) and the roast pig. LOL EVERY luau needs that.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for music, there is a very popular Hawaiian group but their name escapes me...Seven something or other. And Don Ho. No luau is complete without Tiny Bubbles.
LOL
Oh NOOOOOO. NO Don Ho, please!!! I've had more than my lifetime of tiny bubbles, thank you. And no poi either. If you've ever had it, it tastes like a combo of dirt and paste. ICK.
ReplyDeleteIf you want some authentic, "not the stuff they pump out to tourists in the elevators at the hotel" Hawaiian music, try the Brothers Cazimaro, the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau or Kealii Reichel. Old school, but authentic.
And I forgot to mention...I laughed at the hukilau reference. It reminds me that I'm forever sorry that I showed my hubby the hula that goes with song...it's really corny (imagine the fish hand movement that goes with "and all the ama ama come a swimmin to me") and he asks me to do it whenever he wants to laugh. at me.
Wait -- to be clear -- I MUST have a video of YOU doing the hukilua.
ReplyDeleteI think in the interest of being thorough and complete. I MUST have a video of the hula that goes with Hukilua. Think of it as a public service.
ReplyDelete