WMNF celebrates its birthday Hawaiian-style

click to enlarge Yen Watanabe, the newest member of the Hula dance troupe Hip Expressions, performs for the luau. - Chip Weiner
Chip Weiner
Yen Watanabe, the newest member of the Hula dance troupe Hip Expressions, performs for the luau.


Community radio station WMNF celebrated  its 36th birthday at Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe Monday night.

click to enlarge Ella's bar was packed with WMNF patrons partying in their best Hawaiian dress. - Chip Weiner
Chip Weiner
Ella's bar was packed with WMNF patrons partying in their best Hawaiian dress.

click to enlarge Spam and fried rice was on of the many dishes offered for the Luau feast. - Chip Weiner
Chip Weiner
Spam and fried rice was on of the many dishes offered for the Luau feast.
The luau-themed party featured a buffet meal including Big Eye Tuna Poke and Spam and Pineapple Fried Rice.

click to enlarge Bar Manager Nik Fingar skillfully places an umbrella in a Barrel Aged Mai Thai. - Chip Weiner
Chip Weiner
Bar Manager Nik Fingar skillfully places an umbrella in a Barrel Aged Mai Thai.

The bar served island inspired cocktails like a Barrel Aged Mai Thai on tap. Most of the partiers in attendance wore Hawaiian garb and were greeted with floral leis at the door. Entertainment included Stolen Idols, The Johnny Zoom Hi-Fi Show, and WMNF’s own Flee. Hula dancers from Hip Expressions Dance Studio also performed. 

click to enlarge A Raffle to benefit WMNF was held and prizes ranged from Tiki figures to an annual WMNF pass to all events. Kisha Linebaugh helps Jim Lanier with his tickets. - Chip Weiner
Chip Weiner
A Raffle to benefit WMNF was held and prizes ranged from Tiki figures to an annual WMNF pass to all events. Kisha Linebaugh helps Jim Lanier with his tickets.
click to enlarge Laura Taylor, left, WMNF Development Director, and table mates celebrate the birthday dressed in their Hawaiian best. - Chip Weiner
Chip Weiner
Laura Taylor, left, WMNF Development Director, and table mates celebrate the birthday dressed in their Hawaiian best.
click to enlarge Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe hosted the 2nd annual birthday Luau. - Chip Weiner
Chip Weiner
Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe hosted the 2nd annual birthday Luau.

WE LOVE OUR READERS!

Since 1988, CL Tampa Bay has served as the free, independent voice of Tampa Bay, and we want to keep it that way.

Becoming a CL Tampa Bay Supporter for as little as $5 a month allows us to continue offering readers access to our coverage of local news, food, nightlife, events, and culture with no paywalls.

Join today because you love us, too.

Scroll to read more News Feature articles

Join Creative Loafing Tampa Bay Newsletters

Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox.