WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Keali'i Reichel's first-ever Christmas CD, "Maluhia," is due out Nov. 21. It will contain a couple of traditional tunes, a hymn, new entries by Puakea Nogelmeier and a track composed by Ben Vegas called "Remind Me of Home." Because "Remind" isn't specifically about the holidays, it's possible that Reichel might debut the tune when he stages his "Kukahi" concert Saturday and Sunday at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Makes sense, to preview and plug the yuletide album. ...

The Makaha Sons anticipate a Dec. 1 arrival of their first DVD, "The Makaha Sons Live at the Hawai'i Theatre." "Everyone has been having a blast editing this DVD. Moon, Jerome and I are blessed with a great team," said John Koko, of colleagues Louis "Moon" Kauakahi and brother Jerome Koko, and behind-the-sceners Kawikanui Kahele, Michael Goodknecht, Sharlene Oshiro and Edith Kahele. In the meantime, the group is traveling to San Antonio, Maryland and New York City, with Japan beckoning this week. ...

ITEMIZATIONS: Singer Nohelani Cypriano is off to the Celebration on the Hill, today and tomorrow in Washington, D.C. American Cancer Society ambassadors from throughout the country are uniting on the National Mall for a Relay for Life Celebration, and as the representative of the cancer society's Hawai'i chapter, the local singer will perform two songs in front of the capitol. One is "Pulelehua," which Cypriano wrote in memory of her mother, Leina'ala Simerson, and "Mama, I Love You," for her late pal, entertainer Loyal Garner. Five hula dancers will also perform, including Krista Guiteras-Duna, Radasha Ho'ohuli, Jasmine Ornellas, Celeste Akeo and Mary Hayes. ...

The buzz from Las Vegas is that the Society of Seven's new afternoon show at the Flamingo is a bona fide hit. "No. 1 best afternoon show in Las Vegas," opined Breck Wall in Callback, a Vegas paper. "No water, no change of sets, just plain fun and talent," he said. Frannie Kirk of the Outrigger Hotels saw the show and said it's about 75 percent brand new and includes a playful tribute to the movie "Cars." ...

Author-journalist Rick Carroll arrives here today to promote "Iz: Voice of the People" (Bess Press) over the next 10 days. Marcie's Rocking Chair Bookstore, in Outer Banks, N.C., where Carroll now lives, has seen brisk sales for the Israel Kamakawiwo'ole bio. "One woman turned out to be Israel's critical care nurse at Queens (Medical Center) during his final days," said Carroll. Big talent, small world. ...

BACKSTAGE BITS: Bree Bumatai and Greg Howell have been on a New York City visit, soaking up Broadway shows. They had already scored tickets to "Wicked," "The Drowsy Chaperone" and "Jersey Boys," and were hoping to check out "Spamalot," "Avenue Q," and other hits. ...

Director Tim Albrecht ran into "Wicked's" musical conductor Bob Billig on the streets of New York recently, and the former told the latter he knew Billig was vacationing in the Islands — having read this column online. Albrecht returns to the Islands to co-direct (with Greg Zane) Diamond Head Theatre's holiday show, "Cinderella," in December. Billig and partner Richard Vida dined at Keo's in Waikiki on their last night before returning to The Big Apple. ...

The aforementioned Broadway vets Vida and Billig took in the "Urinetown" opening at Manoa Valley Theatre and met director Andrew Meader. So with Meader and wife, Arlette, off to New York for a family wedding, the couple took in "Wicked" and had a backstage tour, courtesy of Billig. ...

"Urinetown" also attracted a 37-member contingent from the Aloha Performing Arts Company of Kainaliu, Big Island.

"I will be stealing all of MVT's ideas," said Jerry Tracy, the company's artistic director, who plans an April 2007 production of the musical at the Aloha Theatre. The early sound problems are fixed, by the way. ...

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.