SHOW BIZ
Society of Seven Las Vegas revamps with Fernandez gone
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
SEVEN UP: Johnny Fernandez, Society of Seven Las Vegas member, was absent for at least a week from the performing ranks at the Outrigger Waikiki's Main Showroom. Fernandez is out of the popular group, a spinoff band from the original Society of Seven (now performing at the Aladdin in Las Vegas), according to Frannie Kirk, Outrigger's director of entertainment, and Jon-Paul Natto is in, performing on keyboards. Vocal arrangements have been revamped, new impressions are being rehearsed and inserted, and the "Phantom of the Opera" finale reworked to feature John Salvatera taking on Fernandez' part. The result: standing ovations greeting the Band-Aid measures last weekend. Whether Fernandez returns still is in question; Kirk has been communicating with Tony Ruivivar and Bert Sagum, the one-two punch of the classic group that organized the second combo, about the next moves. ...
• • •
RANDOM NOTES: Actor Adam Sandler, in town for his "First Fifty Kisses" shoot, showed up with 21 guests at Roy's in Hawai'i Kai for some serious dining in the banquet room. ...
Local actor Mark Pinkosh, who is here to revive Godfrey Hamilton's "Road Movie" starting May 15 at Windward Community College's Paliku Theatre, also has a role in the aforementioned Sandler movie. ...
Although he wound up calling his second CD "Call It What You Like," kumu-hula-chanter-composer Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu took a bit more time to settle on a name for a newborn daughter: Melia Kahiliokahiki KimLen Ho'omalu. But, he admits, "We called her what we liked." ...
Jesse Harris, who won a Song of the Year Grammy for composing Norah Jones' "Don't Know Why," will be part of the Kaua'i Music Festival, set for June 1-4 at the Hyatt Regency there. He is one of a growing slate of music industry types assembling for the event. Other tuneful types expected: Lamont Dozier, who's penned a host of Motown classics; Lisa Loeb, whose No. 1 hit was "Stay"; Jeff Cohen, writer of the hit "Crazy for This Girl"; and Peter Zizzo, producer-composer for Avril Lavigne. Garden Islanders involved include David Tickle, who has worked with U2, Elton John and Blondie, and Michael Ruff, composer of " 'Ohana," a tune that the Hawaiian Style Band has recorded. ...
As a show of support to our troops (and their families) in Iraq, the Brothers Cazimero, the Mountain Apple Co., the city and the Navy Exchange have donated 500 tickets to the returning heroes and their families for tonight's Lei Day concert at the Waikiki Shell. The military is coordinating distribution. ...
• • •
ITEMIZATIONS: Ku'ualoha Taylor, former weather anchor on KGMB and now doing morning and noon weather reports for KFMB, the CBS affiliate in San Diego, drove up to Los Angeles recently to do an episode of CBS' "District" drama. She was typecast as a reporter and had four lines of dialogue — plus her own dressing room with couch. The show is pegged to air this Saturday. ...
Mother's Day functions are mushrooming. Melveen Leed performs from 5 to 8 p.m. May 10 (yes, the day before) in the Pacific Beach Hotel's Grand Ballroom; Glenn Pinho, Ka'aikaula Naluai and Rodney Cazimero also are aboard. Call 921-6131 ... The Makaha Sons serenade from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 11 at the Renaissance llikai Waikiki's Pacific Ballroom. Call 944-6372 ... Ho'okena hosts Mahi Beamer, Nina Keali'iwahamana, Raiatea Helm, Nani Dudoit, Halau o ke 'A'ali'i Ku Makani and Jordan Segundo. Call 524-4845 ... On May 10, there are two special events, too: A Mother and Daughter Afternoon Tea, with George Street, and a show with Ginny Tiu and Johnny Valentine, at the Veranda at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel. Call 922-3111 ... Over at the Sheraton's Esprit lounge, Rhonda does a Mother's Day eve show, too. She'll be joined by Al Waterson, Tino, Keith and Carmen Haugen, Allan Fisher, Joanne Banda, Jesse Robbins, Noly Pa'a, Aria St. John and several others. Call 922-4422. ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada's Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. reach him at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
