Show Biz
Theater fund-raiser to honor Tom Moffatt

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

TOAST OF THE TOWN: Promoter and longtime radio announcer Tom Moffatt will be honored at Manoa Valley Theatre's annual fund-raising gala, set for next Feb. 9 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. Moffatt, who generally does not seek out the limelight, will be toasted, not roasted, and MVT has also secured the town's premier news anchor, Joe Moore of KHON Fox 2, to emcee.

MVT will stage a lavish lights-music-and-dance extravaganza. Stay tuned for developments and details ...

WAIKIKI AFTER DARK: Jesse Gamiao, a member of The Krush, is gearing up for a recurring slot in the "Aloha Las Vegas" revue at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. He'll be doing his take on Don Ho and tracked down Mr. Show Biz in Chicago to get approval to do the tribute, which includes tunes such as "Night Life," "Tiny Bubbles," "Suck 'em Up" and "I'll Remember You."

Gamiao, who did an abbreviated Ho while The Krush was performing at the Esprit nightclub, also may launch a Frank Sinatra impersonation ...

And The Krush will reassemble for a Fourth of July stint at Schofield Barracks. They group will precede the Society of Seven in the Army's patriotic salute to the nation ...

Meanwhile, Edwin Ramones of The Krush is performing for weddings at the Watabe chapel in Wai'anae.

And William Daquioag has expanded his music school to add dance in addition to piano and voice, creating a mini performing arts academy ...

Tino & the Rhythm Klub, performing at Esprit at the Sheraton Waikiki, has been attracting a star-studded clientele, including many who share their talent on stage: folks such as Glenn Miyashiro, John Salvatera, Jan Luna, Richard Natto, Johnny Fernandes and Freddy Von Paraz from the Society of Seven Las Vegas (held over at the Outrigger Waikiki's Main Showroom); former SOSer Albert Maligmat; Bobby Gonzales, Amado Cacho, Jeanette and Tony Trevias, John Ornellas and Ricky Trugillo from Honolulu; Al Waterson and Nancy Bernal; Carole Kai, Alfredo Romero, John Tilton, Sabrina, Danny Couch, Tim Couch, Ben Vegas, Scott Nishida, 808 the Band, Andy Sexton of Simplisity, Ben Juan, Michele Nigalan (Kim in the touring "Miss Saigon"); Eric Kutzen, Bobby Brooks, Sally Davis (from "Aloha, Las Vegas"); Gary Moore, from the Navitech; Bernadette, Sonya Mendez, Cory Oliveros, Dita Holifield and Ellsworth Simeona ...

RANDOM NOTES: Takeo, the local designer, is just back from a promotional Japan visit with client Jason Momoa. The good news: The former "Baywatch Hawai'i" star and model is negotiating to do a Japan commercial, and people he talked to in Japan seemed amenable to his argument that Hawai'i is a safe travel destination. The bad news: Takeo's white Honda, loaded with about $20,000 in original design clothing plus new luggage intended for a gift, was stolen last week. "It really hurts," Takeo said. "You tell people to come here ... when this sort of thing happens" ...

And that's Show Biz ...

Wayne Harada writes Show Biz every Wednesday and Friday; phone him at 525-8067, e-mail at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax at 525-8055.