Gilliom and Flanagan perform at Gore party

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Duo among local performers at Kona gathering

TWO'S COMPANY: Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Barry Flanagan of Hapa were a stunning duo, when they gave a command performance at a surprise birthday party on March 31 for former Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore, whose wife Tipper joined him for the bash at the Kona digs of a friend of the former vice president.

"The vice president said we should play Nashville; he told us, 'I have connections,' referring to his Tennessee roots," said Gilliom.

"Al and Tipper were dancing in front of us, really getting it down," said Flanagan. "He knew Amy's music – and Hawaiian music – and we both played, with bassist Douglas White, for an intimate party of about 16 for an hour. He asked us to help out if he runs in 2004. They were really down-to-earth people."

Flanagan and Gilliom have been bonding lately; he plays guitar on her forthcoming CD, which is in the mixing stage (that's why she's off to Los Angeles this week).

Flanagan is out of the Hapa picture now, "taking a breather after 18 years alongside Keli'i Kaneali'i," said Flanagan. "There's nothing adversarial," said Flanagan. "Some connections never go away; some bonds are very strong. But it was time for both of us to take a break."

A month ago, Flanagan took a medical leave, tending to an ulcer; he never returned to work at Chai's Island Bistro, where Hapa still plays Thursdays and Friday nights. Chai's now bills the gig as "Keli'i Kaneali'i's Hapa" ...

ITEMIZATIONS: Not only is Wayne Takamine literally taking a cruise (he's been performing on the Independence and the Patriot), he's also putting the final touches on his summer CD, "Two Ti Leaf' ...

Janel Parrish, the youthful actress, is back from a Disney World trek that included a chance to see her older sister play softball in Orlando ...

Garth Fagan Dance troupers arrived here in plenty of time before their Neighbor Island and Leeward Community College gigs, so they were able to give master classes at LCC while Tau Dance Theatre members were rehearsing for their own "Ladies Night Out" concert.

Tau's Rachel Berman took one of the Fagan classes and was reunited with P.J. Pennewell, a pal from way back when Berman was part of the Paul Taylor Dance Company and both companies toured Brazil the same time and kept running into each other on subsequent tours ...

RANDOM NOTES: Diamond Head Theatre's "Steel Magnolias" production, set in a Southern beauty parlor, has its own salon expert on the production crew: Kathy Kamakaiwi from Honolulu Community College's cosmetology department. She's in charge of hair and make-up and provided the expertise to all the props Deanna Luster mustered up. And Wisa D'Orso's car problems are resolved; she acquired a Honda after her last car died ...

Alfredo Romero recently subbed for Shari Lynn at the Hale Koa's Warrior Lounge and was visited by songstress Maria Nalor, singer-composer Fred Jones and Romero's Elvis-impersonating cousin from Santa Fe, Toney Romero ...

Wayne Harada's Show Biz is published Wednesdays and Fridays. He can be phoned at 525-8067, e-mailed at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or faxed at 525-8055.