Posted on: Tuesday, September 7, 2004
SHOW BIZ
Copperfield recalls early days at Pagoda
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
PARTY LINE: Magician David Copperfield sent regrets (along with best wishes) to the Hayashi 'ohana, which will mark the 40th anniversary Friday of the Pagoda Hotel and its C'est Si Bon club. Copperfield, of course, remembers when he was green around the ears and just launching his career as a sleight-of-hand wizard ... at C'est Si Bon. "They gave me my first gig. I was about 19," he recalled. The gig enabled Copperfield "to hone my skills and work on my chops in front of terrific audiences — in beautiful Hawai'i, no less — (and it) was a dream come true." Copperfield since has played in huge venues worldwide ("performing is the greatest high," he said) but "nothing is quite like the rush I got from working at the C'est Si Bon for the Hayashis." ... The Pagoda anniversary, from 4:30 to 10 p.m. in the back parking lot, will include food booths, crafts, games, music by Ron Miyashiro (who performs Fridays at LaSalle, above the Pagoda Floating Restaurant), and other entertainment. ...
Del Courtney's 94th Birthday Bash will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 19 at 2933 Kalakaua Ave. A 15-piece band will perform — why not, since Courtney has been the leader of the bandwagon in the big-band/tea dance routines here for years — with a roster of his colleagues joining the performing ranks: Jimmy Borges, Shari Lynn, Gabe Baltazar, Paul Conrad, Noel Okimoto. Special guests will be Martin Denny, Art Todd and Rollanda Lee. Admission is $10. Call 923-5722. ...
ISLAND-HOPPING: Out Maui way, a celebration of music, arts, culture and film — a benefit for Mental Health Kokua — will be held Sept. 23 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. The music program, at 7:30 p.m. in the Castle Theater, features Keola Beamer, The Makaha Sons, Brother Noland, Tuck & Patti, Frank DeLima, Miss Aloha Hula 2004 Natasha Mahealani Akau and Miss Aloha Hula 2003 Jennifer Kehaulani Oyama. A free film program, from 4 p.m., features Edgy Lee's "Ice" film, followed at 5 p.m. by Kenneth K. Martinez Burgmaier's "Wa'a Ho'olaule'a (Festival of Canoes)" film, with Tom Vendetti's "Years of Darkness" film set for 6 p.m. For ticket information, call the box office at (808) 242-7469. ... Small world: When Hervé Fucho and his girlfriend enjoyed The Feast at Lele in Lahaina recently, he had no idea he had so much in common with executive chef James McDonald. McDonald is heading for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in November to participate in that resort region's prestigious 10th Festival Gourmet International. Turns out Fucho is the executive chef at the Four Seasons Punta Mita, outside Puerto Vallarta. So natch, the two have planned to meet up in Mexico. ...
NAMES 'N' PLACES: "Lord of the Rings" actor Dominic Monaghan dined at Dixie Grill, making employees such as Kyle Coonse excited. He's been in town for work on ABC's "Lost" series. ...
Taco Tuesday last week at Compadres attracted Harold Perrineau, the actor who played Mercutio in the "Romeo and Juliet" remake film that paired Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes as the star-cross'd lovers. Perrineau since has appeared in HBO's "Oz" and the film "The Matrix." ...
Kata Maduli, Steve Maii and Zac Castro, plus hula dancers Bernie Freitas, Angelica Tavares and Chazlyn Nuuanu, have been off to Bahrain, in the Persian Gulf, to perform for military personnel and their guests. It's a long way to bring the aloha spirit. ...
Upon returning, Maduli heads for Maui's Taste of Lahaina, joined by Justin, who will arrive from Los Angeles. The Maui visit will include a gig at the Kings Shops for the Aloha Festivals on Saturday, then a Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel show here on Sunday. ...
ITEMIZATIONS: The Brothers Cazimero headlined Wolf Trap's Filene Center in Virginia in mid-August, creating a Lei Day atmosphere despite threat of rain. The Washington Post called Robert and Roland and 'ohana "something to see and hear ... with a highly distinctive repertoire and handsome vocal blend." Leina'ala Kalama Heine, hula soloist, and Jeff Au Hoy, steel guitarist, were on the bill. With the lei-bedecked audience in aloha wear, it felt like Lei Day. ...
Local home improvement guru James Brennan ("The Little Grass Shack") has been on the go while awaiting the fourth season (filming this month for December airing) on OC-16. He also did a role in "Hawaii." ...
And that's Show Biz. ...
Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.
