Hawai'i Public Television sets $100,000 pledge drive goal

Elton John, Martha and the Vandellas, The Platters, Michael Crawford, Charlotte Church, Lawrence Welk, and The Brothers Cazimero will be singing for Hawai‘i Public Television during two weekends of the station’s March Live Pledge, March 3-4 and 10-11.

Special programming, with an emphasis on a variety of music, will be presented to lure viewers to sign on as Hawai‘i Public Television members.

The station, which officially became a private, nonprofit organization no longer under state jurisdiction on July 1, hopes to raise $100,000 during the March drive. To attract viewers and prospective members, it will present these specials:

March 3

"Hey La, Hey La, the Girl Groups Are Back," at 6 p.m. With concert performances by Martha & the Vandellas ("Dancing in the Street"), Ronnie Spector ("Baby, I Love You"), the Angels ("My Boyfriend’s Back"), the Chiffons ("He’s So Fine"), Shirley Alton Reeves of the Shirelles ("Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow"), Lala Brooks of the Crystals ("Da Doo Ron Ron") and Darlene Love ("He’s a Rebel").

"Doo Wop 50," at 7:45 p.m. A glimpse at 50 years of doo-wop, with the Platters ("The Great Pretender"), the Penguins ("Earth Angel"), Gene Chandler ("Duke of Earl"), Johnny Maestro ("16 Candles") and more.

March 4

"Nature: Baby Tales," at 6 p.m. A look at baby animals, such as the lion, panda, black bear cubs; plus ducklings, piglets, chimps, kittens, seal pups, hippos and more.

"Elton John: One Night Only — Greatest Hits Live," at 7:30 p.m. Sir Elton delivers his goldies, from the Madison Square Garden in New York, with such guest artists as Bryan Adams, Kiki Dee, Billy Joel, Anastasia, and Irish pop sensation Ronan Keating.

"Charlotte Church — Live From Jerusalem," at 9 p.m. The international singer performs selections from the classics, operatic, and Broadway repertoires, from the holy city.

March 10

"Lawrence Welk: Milestones and Memories," at 6 p.m. More than 40 performers, from "The Lawrence Welk Show," sing, dance, and cavort in this reunion concert that takes a merry stroll down memory lane.

"Great Performances: My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs," at 8:45 p.m. Songs by Cole Porter, Frank Loesser, Lerner & Loewe, Stephen Sondheim, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, are interpreted by Julie Andrews, Michael Crawford, Linda Eder, Nathan Lane, Barry Manilow, Bebe Neuwirth, and more.

March 11

"Hearts of Glass," at 6 p.m. A portrait of Blenko Glass, one of the remaining factories in Milton, W. Va., where all glasswork is done in hand.

"Hawai‘i — Songs of Aloha," at 7:20 p.m. Songs and dances of the Hawaiian Islands are performed at the Hawai‘i Theatre by the likes of the Brothers Cazimero, Amy Hanaiali‘i and Willie K, the Makaha Sons, Jake Shimabukuro, Na Leo, Ledward Ka‘apana, Cyril Pahinui, Hapa, and more.

"The Best of Na Mele II," at 9 p.m. In-studio performances by a host of stellar Island musicians, including Ho‘okena, Mahi Beamer, Robert Cazimero, Nina Keali‘iwahamana, Richard Ho‘opi‘i, Ledward Ka‘apana, Bobby Ingano, Chris Kamaka, the Hawai‘i Jazz All-Stars, Jerry Byrd, Benny Chong, Byron Yasui, Jake Shimabukuro, Blane Kanno and Gordon Mark.

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