KAHULUI – It’s time to book your passage – wine, food, dancing and friends are waiting! Celebrate the boat days of old Hawaii at Maui Calls, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s 21st annual gala fundraising event, on Friday, Aug. 14, at 6 p.m.

There will be beautiful music and the fragrance of fresh flower lei wafting throughout Yokouchi Pavilion.

Tickets are on sale now for this signature event, which includes gourmet pupus created by Maui’s award-winning chefs, fine wine tasting from world-renowned vineyards, live entertainment and much more.

Every Maui Calls event starts with a fresh flower lei greeting and Hawaiian music serenade. Highlights include fabulous selections in the live and silent auctions, and entertainment and dancing under the glowing glass roof of the Yokouchi Pavilion.

The famous Maui Calls live and silent auctions offer the chance to bid on hundreds of items, from art and jewelry to golf and travel packages – always with some very special, uniquely Maui items found at no other fundraiser.

Come with friends and enjoy a special evening of music, food, wine, dancing and shopping, all in one picture-perfect setting!

The live and silent auctions at Maui Calls always feature some of the best items found in any Maui fundraiser, and this year is no exception. There will be special guitars autographed by celebrities who have performed at the MACC over the preceding year, as well as gift certificates from great restaurants, fine wines from the participating wineries, jewelry, artwork, Maui adventures, and getaways to the Mainland or neighbor islands.

In keeping with the theme of the event, there is also likely to be special MACC contributions: concert tickets, musical instruments, certificates for instruction or master classes, and memorable music event opportunities.

Maui Calls is a much-anticipated annual event as well as the gala fundraiser for the MACC. Individual tickets start at $175 for a cruising opportunity to try stellar restaurants represented at the event, or the chance to sample new wines not yet found on the island. Individual tickets may be purchased through the MACC Box Office at 242-SHOW or online at www.MauiArts.org.

Reserving a table is another option for those who would like to be seated with their family, friends or business associates. There are terrific premium benefits for table attendees (depending on table tier): reserved seating, preferred parking, table-side service for dinner and beverages, photos, special thank you gifts, pre-event champagne reception and opportunity to preview and bid on auction items. Tables for ten start at $1,950 and top out at $10,000. Table reservations may be coordinated through Kathy MacGlashan; e-mail Kathy@MauiArts.org or call 243-4225.

Proceeds from Maui Calls help to support the arts education, cultural and community programs at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, which has provided inspiration and enriched the lives of people on Maui for over two decades now.

The MACC is Hawaii’s most comprehensive arts facility, providing the venue for a wide variety of performances and exhibitions, from hula to ballet and modern dance, from classical to rock-and-roll, international celebrities to student performances.

The MACC also hosts films, business meetings, classes, education programs and cultural workshops, with over 1,800 events scheduled annually and attended by more than 250,000 people each year.