SHOW BIZ
Fund-raiser planned to help ailing Dick Jensen
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
KOKUA TIME: Entertainer Dick Jensen is recovering from triple by-pass surgery at Kaiser Moanalua, where he is in intensive care. And because of mounting medical bills, entertainers are rallying to stage a fund-raiser, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 27 at the 'Ainahau Showroom of the Sheraton Princess Ka'iulani Hotel. So far, the following have agreed to appear: Don Ho, Tom Moffatt, Karen Keawehawai'i, Society of Seven Las Vegas, Tino & the Rhythm Klub, Honolulu, Mel Cabang, Ledward Ka'apana, Augie Rey, Jan Brenner, Sonya Mendez, Albert Maligmat, Ben Vegas, Maila Gibson, Alfredo Romero, and Bo Irvine, with additions expected. Al Waterson and Cha Thompson will host. Tickets: $25. Donations may be sent to the Dick Jensen Fund-raiser, c/o Tihati Productions, 3615 Harding Ave., Suite 505, Honolulu Hi 96816. Information: 735-0292. ...
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RANDOM NOTES: Tracie and Keawe Lopes welcomed a baby sister for Pi'ikea; Ka'onohi Lopes was born Sept. 28 at Kaiser, and she weighed 7 pounds 10.3 ounces and measured 20 inches. Mom is the former Tracie Farias, a previous Miss Aloha Hula at the Merrie Monarch Festival; dad also gave "birth" recently, since his first CD, "He Aloha No," is just out. Karen Keawehawai'i and Jackie Farias (Tracie's parents) are the show biz grandparents. ...
Keith and Carmen Haugen, who recently marked 16 years at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, this month log 30 years of performing in Waikiki. Only Don Ho, the original Society of Seven and the Tihati 'ohana of Polynesian troupers have been at it for more than three decades. The Haugens share Hawaiiana from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. ...
Illusionist John Hirokawa, back from a Las Vegas trek, has been raving about impressionist Danny Gans. The "Magic of Polynesia" star liked "the man of many voices" above other Vegas acts. One thing they share in common: Gans' theater at the Mirage was custom-built for him (a single microphone on a vast stage); Roberts Hawai'i created the Waikiki Beachcomber showroom (tech galore) for Hirokawa. ...
Randy Smith, Frank Sinatra impressionist, reopens tonight at the Sheraton Waikiki's Esprit nightclub, where he rejoins Cathy Foy, John Valentine and Joni Albao at 7:45 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. ...
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NAME GAME: Liza Minnelli and David Gest took in Lou Rawls' Friday night Honolulu Symphony Pops concert at Blaisdell, where she took the stage and joined in on "You'll Never Find (Another Love Like Mine)." Pau show, the newlyweds took off to Dave & Buster's. Minnelli has been hob-nobbing, too, with Jim Nabors and Richard Chamberlain. ...
Reign, the local group that preceded Rawls, may Reign on his parade. Kale Chang, group leader, happily notes that Rawls is considering having Reign join his tour. ...
Diamond Head Theatre's "Chicago" is a razzle-dazzle triumph, bursting with talent, and killer performances from Katie Leiva (Velma Kelly), Tricia Marciel (Roxie Hart), Douglas S. Scheer (Billy Flynn), Jamie Bender (Mama Morton) and Larry Bialock (Amos Hart). In short, Andrew Sakaguchi (director-choreographer) has illuminated the show's dark themes with arresting incandescence. ...
"Chicago" arrives in theatres Dec. 27, with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger as the murders as well as Richard Gere, Taye Diggs, Christine Baranski and Queen Latifah. Only Latifah is a bona fide singer, so this will be one to watch. ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada's Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays; reach him at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or by fax at 525-8055.
