SIGHT 'EMS: Josh Holloway, who is Sawyer on "Lost," dined at Baci Bistro in Kailua a couple of nights back — and brought along a guitar. "I'll serenade in a few minutes," he was heard to say, though he didn't test or share his vocal talent. Baci has been a hangout for notables who live or stay in Lanikai (Michelle Pfeiffer and Owen Wilson have dined there), though Holloway is a Hawai'i Kai resident. ...

Jack Johnson and his 'ohana, including birthday-boy son Moe, took in a "Curious George" screening coordinated by Star 101.9 recently at Regal Dole Cannery theaters. Of course, it's Johnson's music on the movie soundtrack. ...

Actor-comic Jon Lovitz lunched at Tiki's Grill & Bar when he was in town; with three pals, he munched on the combo platter, ribs, poke sampler and calamari and enjoyed pastry chef Ron Viloria's liliko'i cheesecake. ...

Martin Yan and friends dined at Chef Mavro's, going for a six-course winter tasting menu that included roasted kurobuta pork loin and kau yuk — and he popped into the kitchen to say thanks. ...

HITHER 'N' YON: At a pre-Grammy party hosted by Outrigger Hotels Monday night at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, comic Paul Ogata got to share the stage with the Island nominees — and felt like he was back home. Kimo Kahoano emceed; attendees included Alan Yamamoto and Lily Yamachika, Ogata's former radio buddies; former Miss Universe Brooke Lee; Jay Larrin; and more. With Raiatea Helm, Kapono Beamer, Ledward Ka'apana, Sonny Lim, George Kahumoku, Keoki Kahumoku and Daniel Ho performing, Ogata felt honored to have such an all-star back-up. He wonders if he's into something of a trend, doing comedy with back-up music. At his Jazz Minds Art & Cafe appearance earlier in Honolulu, he had bassist Bobby Nishida and pianist Bailey Matsuda providing music. "Hopefully I can convince Kelly Clarkson to sing harmony to my act with Jack Johnson backing us up on guitar," he said. ...

Crystal Akana, an "American Idol" contestant, sat in with Les Harris and Tax Vegas, otherwise known as Kalaeloa, last Friday at Compadres Bar & Grill. Helen Berger, the former Mrs. Hawai'i and an "Idol" fan, recognized her when she dined with husband James after taking in "Mardi Gras Follies" at the Hawai'i Theatre. ...

As for "Mardi Gras," the Hawai'i Theatre is both a boon and a bane. The Jack Cione spectacle, laden with Bill Dougherty's wild costumes and Wally White's inventive sets, looks stunning, but the format of mixing live vocals sung to tracks with an abundance of lip-synch numbers ultimately magnifies the artifice. Surely it's a thrill for the devoted cast members to perform at the Hawai'i, but if future ventures are mounted, it's necessary to minimize the mouthing by maximizing the live singing. ...

FAREWELL: It was a tearful farewell to Society of Seven member Gary Bautista on Saturday, when funeral services were held at the Palm Mortuary in Las Vegas. SOS leader Tony Ruivivar and featured singer Lani Misalucha managed to sing "Always and Forever," the song Bautista was performing when he suffered a heart attack and stroke, leading to his death Jan. 30. Martin Nievera sang, Cha Thompson danced; Honolulu attendees included Outrigger Entertainment's Fran Kirk and Jason Kina. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "In Dis Life" was shown via video — apparently one of Bautista's favorite songs; SOS members were pallbearers, joined by Noli Misalucha (Lani's husband). Bautista was buried in a plot adjoining the mortuary.

Albert Maligmat, former SOSer who has been living and working in Honolulu, will step in for Bautista for the group's international tour, now under way; he, too, was at the services. Dolores Treffeisen, longtime SOS fan (and a Philadelphia resident) and supporter of Island entertainers, made a pilgrimage to the services, too. ...

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.