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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 8:31 a.m., Thursday, May 29, 2008

Myanmar fund-raiser Tuesday at The Waterfront

Island performers, chefs and celebrities will convene for a music-and-food benefit for the Myanmar Cyclone Relief Fund from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at The Waterfront at Aloha Tower Marketplace.

Augie T, local stand-up comic and radio deejay, will host a program of celebs and

cultural performing groups, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The slate reflects the diverse cultures of Honolulu's Chinatown artists, representing the Burmese, Chinese, Hawaiian, Japanese, Korean, Marshallese, Tahitian and Tongan communities. Songs, dances, skits, story-telling and dramatic readings will be presented.

Participating restaurants include Chai's Island Bistro, Compadres Bar & Grill, Hee Hing Restaurant, Hong Kong Harbor View Seafood Restaurant, Hukilau Restaurant, Morton's Steakhouse, Roy's Restaurant and Sam Choy's. The Myanmar Association of Hawaii, which is a sponsor of the fundraiser, will provide Burmese cuisine. Reserved table seating will be available at $5,000 (gold) and $3,000 (silver) for 10 seats; reserved seats are $100, or $50 for general admission. Information: 851-7010.

"This is a critical time in the relief efforts for the victims," said Tin Myaing Thein, of the Myanmar Association.

"This is an opportunity to pull together and show our visitors and the world how much aloha our community has for all who suffer from calamity," said Burton White, artistic director and general manager of the Hawai'i Theatre, which has joined the Myanmar Association in sponsorship.

Karl Baker and Michael Casupang, kumu hula of the Merrie Monarch-winning Halau I Ka Wekiu, will perform an opening ceremony at 5:30 p.m. The halau includes a number of part-Burmese dancers, including Thein's son.

For those who can't attend, donations in the form of checks may be sent to the Myanmar Association of Hawaii, 720 N. King St., Honolulu HI 96817, with a "Burmese Cyclone Victims" notation.