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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, July 2, 2002

SHOW BIZ
Elvis impersonator ready to rock in Waikiki

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

GOOD IMPRESSIONS: Impersonation is back in a big way in Waikiki. Jonathon Von Brana, the premier Elvis Presley impersonator, has returned to the mainstream, doing his "Blue Hawaii: The Show" from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. daily at the Blue Hawaii Room at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel (the site is the former Hana Hou Room, where Don Ho used to perform before moving to the Hoku Hale showroom next door). Call 923-1245 for details ...

And Pete Peterkin, who can do more than 100 impressions, opens a Waikiki stint at 8:30 p.m. Friday (repeating Fridays and Saturdays), starting this week, at the 'Ainahau Showroom of the Sheraton Princess Kai'ulani Hotel. His repertoire includes the likes of Stevie Wonder, Little Richard, Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, Sammy Davis Jr., Chuck Berry, Johnny Mathis, Garth Brooks, Neil Diamond and even Don Ho. Call 591-3888 ...

Of course, the Society of Seven Las Vegas at the Outrigger Waikiki has made a good impression with impersonations, too, patterned after the original SOS group (which is still playing at the Golden Nugget in Vegas) ...

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RANDOM NOTES: Kit Samson's Sound Advice will reorganize again to provide music for listening and dancing at this year's 'Ilima Awards, Oct. 14 at the Diamond Head Theatre. It's the Advertiser-sponsored foodie event to benefit DHT. Call 733-0274. Samson, recovering from heart by-pass surgery, also has firmed up New Year's Eve at the Ala Moana Hotel ...

That "Lolo No Ka 'Oi" concert Friday night at the Sheraton Waikiki's Hawaii Ballroom (staged in the round) attracted a sellout crowd of about 2,000. The performances of Edward Ka'ahea, Augie T., Da Braddahs, Mel Cabang and emcee Lanai were taped for both a video and DVD release, and clearly, if one breakout "star" emerged from all that lunacy, it had to be Augie, who has honed his act immeasurably — lolo without being pilau. See him and partner Lanai at the Comedy Shack at Dave and Buster's starting July 26 ... or hear 'em on radio (KDNN) ...

Jimmy Borges got a call from daughter Stephanie Saturday night, when she was at the Hollywood Bowl concert featuring The Brothers Cazimero and Keali'i Reichel. "She held up the cell in the air while The Caz sang, so I heard the whole set," said Borges. Stefanie visited Robert and Roland backstage, where Borges spoke with the duo. About 18,000 were in attendance, including Lei and Branscombe Richmond ...

Look for Kelly Boy DeLima and Kapena at the 21st Annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival's signature seafood festival July 7 at the resort ...

Chef Mavro (George Mavrothalassitis) is back from a visit to the Greek island of Symi (where his dad was born). So what did he do? "A little cooking for my Greek friends." It started with lending a hand with lunch on a boat "and ended up when I took over a restaurant kitchen to cook slipper lobster risotto for half the island" ...

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SIGHT 'EMS: Adam Sandler, the comic actor (current film: "Mr. Deeds"), taped an MTV segment for "Diary" a little while back at the Hula Grill on Maui, and the star spilled coffee on his shirt — and nonchalantly changed to a Hula Girl T-shirt for viewers to see. Talk about free publicity ...

The July InStyle magazine, now out, spotlights five celebs talking about favorite summer vacation spots, and surprise, surprise: actress Kelly Preston (Mrs. John Travolta), formerly of Hawai'i picks O'ahu as hers. Her favorite Sunday brunch spot is the Sheraton Moana Surfrider. "The architecture is so beautiful and the view is amazing," she's quoted ...

And that's Show Biz ...

Wayne Harada's Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays; e-mail him at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, phone 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.