SHOW BIZ

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

PARADISE ALLEY: Danny Couch, who regularly performs at the Hale Koa Hotel's lu'au show, will give a concert from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. Tuesday at the Market City Shopping Center's Christmas tree-lighting ceremony. The celebration, 6:30 to 8:15 p.m., will feature the inflation of the center's 32-foot tall Santa Claus balloon and the illumination of the resident monkeypod tree. A "live" Santa also will be on hand. ...

When Auntie Pasto's on Beretania Street marked its 20th anniversary one recent Sunday, Frank DeLima appeared in the guise of Cardinal Vermicelli, his Vatican-inspired character robed in a church-like red cloak. DeLima headed straight for Gilda "Nana" Wary, 85-year-old mother of restaurateur Ed Wary, who had arrived from Massachusetts for the celebration. She asked, with a straight face, if the comedian was sent over from Rome; when DeLima said yes, Nana responded that her family was from Milan and proceeded to be exceedingly impressed that her son had such high-level links with the church. Only later, when DeLima did a half-hour comedy stint, did it dawn on the visitor that the "cardinal" was a stage imposter. "But I did think he was Italian," she said — even if he's better known as the Portuguese prince of comedy. ... DeLima, by the way, promises to bring laughter to the folks attending the Salvation Army's 33rd Thanksgiving dinner today at Blaisdell Center. ...

AROUND TOWN: 'Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro will top the roster of entertainers who will help launch the Lokahi Tree Giving Project, a holiday charitable program by the Salvation Army and KHON-2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 at Ala Moana's Centerstage. Others involved: Justin Young, the Lilikoi Boys and the Hawai'i Youth Chorus. Leslie Wilcox, KHON anchor and Lokahi's co-founder, will also be there to invite the public to donate toys to bring cheer to youngsters during the holiday season. ...

Ask and ye shall receive: As soon as he learned he was cast as Captain Hook in Diamond Head Theatre's "Peter Pan," opening Dec. 5, Randl Ask contacted his longtime pal, Mike Dillon, president-founder of Dillon Works! in Seattle. A Walt Disney imagineer, Dillon also has had a long run in doing special work for theme parks, casinos, and film and TV productions. "I told him I was looking for a similar hook that Dustin Hoffman used in the movie 'Hook,' and he said, 'I know the guy who designed it.' " Ultimately, Dillon designed and devised his own hook, weighing 4 lbs. but comfy enough for Ask to manipulate because of a hidden base. "Looks like a pirate blacksmith crafted it," said Ask. ...

Mai Tai Sing, for 28 years a fixture at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki (earlier at Trappers, most recently at Ciao Mein), officially is "retired." The hotel tossed her a party last Friday, where she received a city proclamation for "Mai Tai Sing Day" in recognition of her deeds and aloha over the years. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Stanford Poon, a local lad seeking an acting career in TV and films, landed a role in NBC's "Las Vegas" on an episode titled "Year of the Tiger." The show will air Monday. Earlier, he completed a Showtime flick, directed by Spike Lee, titled "Sucker Free City." ...

Abe Weinstein, producer of the Hawai'i International Jazz Festival, has been hired to perform aboard Princess Cruises' Royal Princess. His gig starts in the Islands today; besides headlining, he'll give lectures on jazz history. ...

The Jack Ciones are off to Las Vegas to spend Thanksgiving with their son in the Gambling Capital. He'll also connect with Rip Taylor while there. ...

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.