LINCOLN SQUARE — DANK Haus, the German American cultural center, is hosting an "Aloha Elvis"-themed open house Friday and let's just say they've got some explaining to do.
Why Elvis?
Presley is most famously associated with Memphis and Las Vegas, but for a couple of years, Germans claimed him as one of their own. Between 1958 and 1960, Presley was stationed in then-West Germany while serving in the U.S. Army. It's where he met his future wife, a young Priscilla Beaulieu, and that marriage led to this:
So thanks, Germany.
OK, where does the "Aloha" come in?
Now that we've established the Elvis-Germany link, let's mosey on over to to Hawaii, where the King filmed three movies and performed the first-ever concert broadcast to the entire world.
By all accounts, Presley loved Hawaii and the rest of world went gaga for the islands too, especially in the '50s and '60s.
Germans were no exception, which is why something called Toast Hawaii — available for purchase at DANK's open house — is apparently as classic a German comfort food as bratwurst.
[Cuisine Helvetica]
Recipes vary but the basic components of Toast Hawaii are this: toasted bread, processed cheese slices, canned pineapple slices and ham. Fancy versions include a cherry on top — smack in the center of the pineapple.
Why, oh why, is this not served at Oktoberfest?
If all this sounds weirdly awesome, wait, there's more.
Windy City Elvis is scheduled to perform at Friday's open house.
Intrigued? Swing by DANK Haus, 7:30 p.m. Friday for "Aloha Elvis." Admission is free, with food and drinks (Blue Hawaiis, natch) available for purchase.
