Get out your sequined flapper dress and don your best Sacque suit and boater hat — and be sure to remember the secret password. Tortilla Republic and Kauai Music Scene is hosting a 1920s speakeasy party. It starts at 7
Get out your sequined flapper dress and don your best Sacque suit and boater hat — and be sure to remember the secret password. Tortilla Republic and Kauai Music Scene is hosting a 1920s speakeasy party. It starts at 7 p.m. today at Tortilla Republic located at the Shops of Kukuiula.
Tickets are $90 in advance and $100 at the door. But instead of a ticket, guests will be given a password they must use when they enter the event.
Entrance includes a five-course feast paired with cocktails from the era designed by The Feral Pig’s Dave Powers (who specializes in historical cocktails), plus big band sounds from the Rum Runners and burlesque and aerial silk dancers.
The party will also include an authentic absinthe bar.
Kristin Young of Kauai Music Scene said the event came about when Jordan James, who owns Tortilla Republic, poised a simple question: What would you do if I gave you the upstairs of my restaurant for one night?
The answer was instantaneous: Host a speakeasy party.
“We went through it together, and we designed what it was going to look like, we got (James’) chef to design the menu, and we got Dave Powers from The Feral Pig … who is putting a pairing together.”
Young also got the Rum Runners to perform.
“They were actually put together specifically for this event,” Young said. “I’m sure they are going to continue.”
The jazz/swing band includes Peggy Lake on vocals, Will Lydgate on acoustic bass, Steve Dubey on trumpet and Hank Curtis on piano.
The after party begins at 10 p.m. with Swing Katts remixing retro music harkening to the Roaring 20s.
So what attracted Young to host a speakeasy?
“There was a great freedom back in the 20s, 30s and 40s,” Young said. “People were having fun, laughing and partying. When prohibition took place, it tried to squelch the fun, and fun just came out of the woodworks.”
Young also admired the music of that time, including jazz and swing.
“Of course, with the movie ‘The Great Gatsby’ coming out, people are focusing on that era again, and the music and the dancing is just so fun.”
Young said she thinks this would be the first of many parties, depending on the public’s response.
“It’s probably going to be the first of many collaborations between Tortilla Republic and Kauai Music Scene where we have theme parties.”
Seating for this event is limited.
For more information, visit www.tortillarepublic.com or www.kauaimusicscene.com. To purchase tickets, call Tortilla Republic at 742-8884 or Kauai Music Scene at 645-6644.
