SHOW BIZ
Various films keeping ex-Hawai'i resident busy
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
THE LOCAL ANGLE: Nito Larioza, the ex-Islander still active on the Mainland movie and music front, starts work shortly in Vancouver, British Columbia, on the new Warner Bros. "Catwoman" film, starring Halle Berry. He's helping with the choreography and fight scenes. The starting date has been pushed back until late September or early November because Berry is recovering from a broken arm. "She'll be cool in the role," Larioza said. ...
He'll be seen kicking butt with The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) in "The Rundown," formerly titled "Helldorado" (and partially filmed here), now expected Sept. 26. Local boy Ernie Reyes Jr. also has a role and Tanoai Reed was The Rock's double. ...
And "Bring It On Again," in which Larioza does a round of cheerleading stuff, will be released straight to DVD/video. ...
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SHOW BREEZES: Jay Larrin makes a rare appearance at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Honolulu Suite of the Sheraton Waikiki. Tickets: $25. Call 371-2910. ...
"Malama E Na Kupuna," a fund-raiser for Lunalilo Home, will be at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at Hawai'i Theatre. Keahi Allen and Tony Conjugacion are the behind-the-scenes sparkplugs and they've enlisted Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Bill Ka'iwa, Marlene Sai, Karen Keawehawai'i, Melveen Leed and Kilinahe. Tickets: $27. Call 528-0506. ...
Another sumptuous Hawaiiana event is the KINE 105 FM Aloha Friday luncheon show, at noon Sept. 5 at the Royal Hawaiian's Monarch Room, featuring Ho'okena, Kawai Cockett, Sonny Ching and Halau Na Mamo O Pu'unanahulu (with Mahiehie and Miss Aloha Hula Jennifer Kehaulani Oyama). Tickets: $25. ...
Jimmy Borges and Friends — including Betty Loo Taylor, Shari Lynn, Gabe Baltazar, Steve Jones and Noel Okimoto — will perform at the sixth annual Rita Thompson Music Scholarship fund-raiser at 7 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Kilohana United Methodist Church, 5829 Mahimahi St., Niu Valley. Tickets: $15 for adults, $5 for students. ...
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TOPICAL TOPICS: The Makaha Sons are back from a San Francisco and Los Angeles trek with Ten Feet, Robi Kahakalau and Raiatea Helm. Sam Choy, the Island chef, was a funny and popular emcee. Helm "rocked the West Coast," said Son member John Koko, and former Miss Universe 1998 Brook Lee did a hula to "My Yellow Ginger Lei." ...
A while back, comedian Rip Taylor,volunteered his talents to do a public service announcement for Arts with Aloha, the coalition of arts organizations targeting broader attendance from the tourist sector. Peter Gellatly of Network Media has been airing the spot free on in-hotel channels. Gellatly enlisted Taylor to do voice tracks and produced a new two-minute segment, and the comic had the crew in hysterics at the Hawai'i Theatre tapings. At lunch at Dixie Grill later, Taylor signed autographs for two youngsters as well as the bartender; a new generation of folks are discovering Taylor through his "Jackass" movie. KQMQ morning jock Justin Cruz cruised by. ...
Daniel Thiebaut's restaurant in Kamuela, on the Big Island, is marking its third anniversary this month with a round of special events, including a Wines of the World Mystery Series dinner Aug. 13 and a "Cook up a Storm" evening with women chefs Aug. 30. Information: (808) 887-2200. ...
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WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Natalie Cross, a filmmaker and teacher at Kapi'olani Community College, is new exec director of the Hawai'i Student Film Festival. ...
University of Hawai'i football coach June Jones got the staff revved up when he dined at Dixie Grill a few nights back. ...
And that's Show Biz. ...
Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, fax 525-8055 or wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.
