SHOW BIZ
Joe Moore takes a break for 'Dirty Laundry'
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
DIRTY TALK: Joe Moore is not at his usual KHON-2 news desk this week. He's taken off for rehearsals leading up to the Friday-through-Sunday run at Hawai'i Theatre of his "Dirty Laundry" play (a benefit for Manoa Valley Theatre). And where, pray tell, did he find the title for his finger-pointing drama about all that's wrong about the evening news? A pop song.
In Moore's own words: "It's right out of a Don Henley song, 'Dirty Laundry,' with lyrics about 'dirty little secrets, dirty little lies; we got our fingers in everybody's pie, love to cut you down to size, we love dirty laundry.' ..."
Of course, the No. 1 anchor has added starch to his "Laundry," figuring there might be folks who recognize themselves in the play, even if it's fiction (but influenced by fact). ...
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RANDOM NOTES: Another TV anchor, Bernard Shaw, formerly of CNN, was visiting Maui recently with his wife, Linda, no doubt enjoying our weather. He's been enjoying his retirement but goes out on speaking missions, and had one here before a Wells Fargo group. Shaw must also be ogling the Iraqi war coverage — and reflecting on his own mission during the 1991 Persian Gulf conflict. ...
Rhonda, the New Zealander who's a new U.S. citizen, has been performing a rousing "Star-Spangled Banner" at the conclusion of her Saturday night songfests at the Esprit showroom of the Sheraton Waikiki. "I'm not a fan of war, but I'm a big fan of this country and its people and all they've done for me," said the Maori trouper. ...
Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu, whose "Call It What You Like ..." CD has just been released, makes a rare O'ahu appearance at the May 24 "Hawaiian Bash" that runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Waikiki Shell. He's a former 'Aiea chanter and kumu who now lives, teaches and performs in Oakland, Calif., and environs, and has scheduled a round of appearances this summer in San Jose, Sacramento, Pleasant Hill, Sand City and Mountain View, all in California. The shell gig is a treat for his fans, who can hear him perform music from "Lilo & Stitch" along with students from Kamehameha Schools. ...
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NAMES 'N' PLACES: Martin Denny, the father of exotica, makes a rare late-night appearance at the next "Tiki Lounge Five-O" gig, from 10 p.m. April 26 at the tropics-inspired La Mariana Sailing Club. The buzz is that Denny, whose "Quiet Village" is the pinnacle of tiki tunes, will share music from his forthcoming CDs,"The Intimate Martin Denny" and "Dining With Martin." Several decades separate these discs from his original 12-inch vinyl albums. The slate, retro in spirit but very definitely now, includes vintage surf sounds by The King Pins, Willow Chang appearing as "the huli huli hula girl," DJs Ginger and Mary Ann scoping and sharing the best of the exotica repertoire, and yes, even "Hawai'i Five-O." Book 'em, Danno. ...
Denny marked his 92nd birthday April 10 at the Elks Club, with daughter Christina Denny and Mike Largareta helping with the surprise. Lloyd Kandell (Floyd Fluid of Don Tiki) corralled Gabe Baltazar, Jimmy Borges, Harold Chang, Augie Colon, Lopaka Colon, Del Courtney, Shari Lynn, Noel Okimoto, Al Waterson, Buddy and Sammi Fo, Mahi Beamer, Nina Keali'iwahamana, Art Todd, Archie Grant, Frankie Kim, Shirley Recca and Manu Bentley in a magical show. ...
Congrats to restaurateur Randy Schoch, owner of three Ruth's Chris Steak Houses in Hawai'i, who's been named Restaurateur of the Year in Orange County, Calif. There, Schoch has launched two Thaifoon restaurants, a concept he developed in Scottsdale, Ariz., his base now. ...
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.
Correction: Mark Ho'omalu will be at the Hawaiian Bash on May 24 and will perform music from "Lilo & Stitch" along with students from Kamehameha Schools. Incorrect information was given Tuesday in a previous version of this column.
