SHOW BIZ
Sinatra revue singer marks anniversary with gifts for his fans
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
THE PARTY LINE: Randy Smith, who does that Frank Sinatra tribute show, marks his first anniversary this weekend at the Esprit lounge of the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel — and you get the present. On Friday and Satur-day nights, Smith logs his milestone shows; Jack Daniels, Ol' Blue Eyes' favorite label, will provide a gift for all attending. Smith, in the company of Cathy Foy and John Valentine, plans to wrap up this series of shows New Year's Eve. He's already in rehearsals for another outing, partnering with veteran musician Frank Diehl, under the artistic and promotional eyes of Jack Cione and Yemun Chung. ...
102.7 Da Bomb marks its second anniversary with a party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday at the Pipeline Cafe. Kid Leo Baldwin and the air force will show up — with DJ E Man from Power 106 in Los Angeles among the guests. Fans should have a field day when $5,000 in cash is dropped at midnight. ...
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PERSONALITIES: Graham Nash dined with pals a few nights back at Keo's in Waikiki during an O'ahu vacation, and managed to check out his photo on the restaurant's Wall of Fame. ...
Johnny Fernandez, a member of the Society of Seven Las Vegas, popped in on a dress rehearsal of "Smokey Joe's Cafe" at Army Community Theatre. It was a Monday night, an off night from his Outrigger Waikiki Main Showroom production, and he visited with fellow cast members from his "Miss Saigon" touring days, who are part of the ACT cast, including Amado Cacho and Traci Toguchi. It was a reunion, too, with the Glover family (Dawe, Jade, Aubry), who performed with Fernandez years ago when he was known as "Little Johnny Fernandez." ...
Alan Rakov, Honolulu Symphony Orchestra marketing director, hit a hole in one at the Ala Wai Golf Course's fifth hole recently. ...
All aboard! The sweet refrains of Na Leo Pilimehana (Lehua Kalama Heine, Nalani Choy, Angela Morales) fill the air when folks take a ride aboard the Pineapple Express at the Dole Plantation. The trio composed a special tune for the attraction and also recorded the narration heard on the two-mile tour. ...
When Los Angeles' Smooth Jazz 94.7 The Wave broadcast live from the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort last week, on-air host Talaya Trigueros could be heard, during breaks, talking to someone back at the L.A. radio studio. Turned out it was Barbara Blake, ex-Islander, who was running the board; she used to work at KIKI here. ...
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THE LOCAL ANGLE: Makana's recent two-nighter at the Hawai'i Theatre was a fascinating, ambitious evening of music as theater. His jams with Willie K were electric with spontaneity; the Tau Dance Theatre embellishments were mood-provoking and visually stunning. And Makana has developed remarkable confidence and very personal visions about his music — clearly an act ready for recognition outside his home turf. ...
It's hard not to go quackers over "Honk!," Manoa Valley Theatre's hit (already held over), a musical that retells, with style, whimsy and tongue firmly in cheek, the tale of the Ugly Duckling. You'll savor your take-home memory, with lots to feel good about, whether it's Katie Doyle's tuneful mama duck Ida, Kevin Yamada's coy portrayal of the Cat, Michael Hanuna's breezy take on Ugly, Darren Server's cheerful music from the pit, or, in the pre-curtain moments, Trent Nakamura's welcoming speech (MVT's producing director Dwight Martin's usual opening-night task). ...
Garry Moore (he did Little Richard in "Legends in Concert") has been visiting family here. He's been on the "Legends" circuit, in South Carolina for three months, and Seattle now. He's also developed a terrific Sammy Davis Jr. impersonation. ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada's Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach him at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, by phoning 525-8067 or faxing 525-8055.
