Wildest Show in Town back for another summer
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
 |
| This Sumatran tiger is one of the zoo's denizens. Evening tours of the animal sights will be part of the "Wildest Show" events.
Advertiser library photo • April 2002 'AT&T's Wildest Show in Town' A summertime series, hosted by Roy Sakuma, with entertainment, food and family fun Doors open 4:35 p.m.; shows from 6 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday, June 4 through Aug. 27 Honolulu Zoo $1 admission at the door 531-0101 |
June 4, for 13 weeks, with something for the kids, for adults, for 'ukulele aficionados and students, and for comedy and jazz lovers. Even a theatrical outing.
"It's really an exciting lineup," said organizer Roy Sakuma, who also hosts the midweek entertainment.
With 'ukulele interest high, there will be four nights when showgoers can win a prize instrument in a drawing, said Sakuma, himself a virtuoso who annually gets more offers to perform than he can slot. Jake Shimabukuro tops the roster of strummers.
You have to be present to sign up for and win an 'ukulele. Sign-ups will be from 6 to 6:15 p.m., with winners announced at showtime, so it's advisable to arrive early and get your name in the hopper, said Sakuma.
The Wildest Show format hasn't changed; the event is staged on Wednesday evenings — hump day for the working stiffs — with doors opening at 4:35 p.m., after daytime zoo visits conclude. The shows unfold from 6 to 7 p.m. on the zoo's lawn stage.
Early arrivals can get plate lunches, to be available on site, or participate in family-oriented events, including a zoo trivia game and a keiki coloring contest.
The real joy is a 30-minute guided zoo tour, preceding the weekly performances, because the zoo inhabitants, from chimps to giraffes to elephants, often put on a different "show" as the sun sets.
"Frank DeLima had an overflow crowd the last time he performed seven years ago," said Sakuma. "He kept everyone in stitches, so he should attract a good audience again."
Raiatea Helm, the Moloka'i singer, will be making her first Wildest Show appearance this summer.
Numerous others are returnees with a devoted following, including Jimmy Borges, Audy Kimura and Kapena.
Sakuma has been organizing the event for the past 18 years, though it began several years earlier.
"What's really great about it all is that the event is not only successful for those attending, but the entertainers also enjoy it so much," he said. The Wildest Show is one of the highlights for their performing years."
• • •
Here's the schedule for AT&T's Wildest Show in Town:
- June 4: Kapena (contemporary Hawaiian).
- June 11: "Peril in Paradise" (children's play), 'Ohi'i Productions
- June 18: Herb Ohta Jr. ('ukulele soloist, featuring music from his new CD, "'Ukulele Romance"); GString 'Ukulele drawing
- June 25: Frank DeLima (comedy), with pre-show entertainment "Peace by Piece," by ZAPP Dancers from Eugene, Ore.
- July 2: Marine Forces Pacific Band, directed by CW03 Lauren La Vine
- July 9: Kilinahe (Hawaiian music)
- July 16: Jake Shimabukuru ('ukulele soloist); Kamaka 'Ukulele drawing
- July 23: Ernie Cruz Jr. (contemporary Hawaiian vocalist, 'ukulele stylist); KoAloha 'Ukulele drawing
- July 30: Ledward Ka'apana (slack-key soloist)
- Aug. 6: Jimmy Borges and his Jazzy Friends (jazz)
- Aug. 13: Raiatea Helm (traditional Hawaiian music); Lanikai 'Ukulele drawing
- Aug. 20: Audy Kimura (singer, guitarist)
- Aug. 27: Noel Okimoto's Latin Jazz Band (jazz and Latin)
