SHOW BIZ
Young actress off to fulfill dreams in California
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
THE LOCAL ANGLE: Janel Parrish, the young actress who first gained fame playing Young Cosette in "Les Miserables" here, on tour and on Broadway, is packing her bags and scooting off Nov. 11 to Burbank, Calif., where she will pursue an acting career full time. "I'll be home-schooled; I'm so excited," said Parrish, 14. Her mom, Joanne, has retired and will accompany Janel in the move; dad Mark will be commuting back and forth, since he still has some real estate projects in limbo. ...
Bryan Tolentino, the 'ukulele player, is back from the 'Ukulele Expo 2002 in New Jersey, where he gave a uke workshop with fellow local Byron Yasui and Asa Young of North Carolina (via 'Aiea). It was a year ago that Tolentino, Yasui, Young and Chris and Casey Kamaka (of the Kamaka 'Ukuleles clan) were stranded in New Jersey because of the 9/11 attacks aftermath. Two generous folks, Tom and Nuni Walsh (Nuni is the great-granddaughter of Manuel Nunes, pioneer 'ukulele maker) put up the stranded group till they were able to go home. For that kind act, the Walshes received a letter of commendation from Gov. Ben Cayetano. Isaac Ho'opi'i, who was home recently, also performed with his Aloha Boys. Jesse Kalima was inducted into the 'Ukulele Hall of Fame, along with uke builder Jonah Kumalae; Kalima's grandson Kevin Mortensen represented the family. ...
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MUSICAL NOTES: Tomorrow's Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra concert at Blaisdell Concert Hall, featuring trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, will be taped for a future Viacom BET Jazz Network special to air next spring. Marsalis and the jazz crew have been on their "United We Swing" tour through Japan, the Philippines and Asian ports, in addition to Hawai'i, and the local segments are being produced and directed by Kenneth Martinez Burgmaier and his Maui-based Jazz Alley TV-Maui, the wizards behind the "Ki ho'alu (Loosen the Key)" documentary featuring Keola Beamer. It's one of the featured documentaries in the ongoing Hawai'i International Film Festival. ...
Puamana serenaded Lithieia "Li" Hall, longtime executive secretary of the Honolulu Academy of Arts, at her last meeting a few days back. Hall is retiring from the board of trustees after 53 years and 10 months of service. Thus, she got a bouquet with — count 'em — 54 balloons. ...
When "Sunset on the Beach" unfolds Saturday night at Queen's Surf Beach, look for music by Ho'onua and Sani. I-Safe America is sponsoring the event. ...
When Don Tiki sashays into the South Seas Village at the Hawaiian Hut Saturday, their hot and elaborate stage show, "The Forbidden Sounds of Don Tiki," will have a number of special guests, including Mihana Souza of Puamana, Frank Orrall of Poi Dog Pondering and Lopaka Colon (lately of Colon). The tiki torches burn late for a post-show DJ party, from 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., with Orrall (from Chicago now), Keith Kandell (now based in New York) and G Dogg (of Honolulu) serving as the spinmeisters. ...
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NAMES 'N' PLACES: The late Moe Keale, a founder of The Lomi Shop Va'a at Windward Mall, will be remembered when the wellness shop (specializing in massages) marks its fifth anniversary Nov. 16. Island entertainment, pupu, crafts and demos are on tap from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with memories of Moe surely to be shared. ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada's Show Biz column is published Tuesdays and Thursdays.
