Neil Sedaka, whose musical career spans four decades, will headline "Bringing Back Boat Days," a gala with music and food, set from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. March 9 at the new DFS Galleria Waikiki, at the corner of Kalakaua and Royal Hawaiian avenues.

The event, a benefit for the Washington Place Foundation, also will feature:

Singer Martin Nievera.

Pianist Ginny Tiu.

Dancers and singers from Tihati Productions.

Sedaka is a prolific singer-composer, known for such landmark hits as "Calendar Girl," "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," "Oh Carol!" and "Happy Birthday Sweet 16."

Nievera is a Hawai‘i-reared, Philippines-based singer-composer linked with such hits as "Say That You Love Me." Tiu is a pianist on the Waikiki hotel circuit, and the Tihati crew currently stages a nightly "Boat Days" revue at the DFS Galleria.

Although already open for business, the DFS Galleria will designate March 9-10 as its formal opening weekend.

The shopping and dining complex will be closed to the public during the benefit hours on March 9. Those attending will be greeted amid the spirit of romance and pleasures of Boat Days in old Waikiki.

An informal buffet will be set up (there will be no table seating) and an open bar will be available. Shops will be open and attendees will receive a 20 percent discount.

Those attending are advised to wear vintage aloha dress, to keep in the spirit of old Hawai‘i.

DFS will match the amount raised from the evening, up to $250,000. Gov. and Mrs. Ben Cayetano are honorary chairpersons of the benefit; Bert A. Kobayashi is chairman.

Tickets: $250. Reservations: 523-8802.

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