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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, October 30, 2007

SHOW BIZ
And the Hoku lifetime awards go to ...

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Columnist

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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LIFETIMERS: While the laurels won't be formally bestowed till March 2008, Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts president Marlene Sai says the next Na Hoku Hanohano Award Lifetime Achievement winners will be Jimmy Borges, Edna Farden Bekeart, Olomana, The Brothers Cazimero and Cyrus Green. The Board of Governors determines the choices, so those advocating future honorees can reach Sai at the HARA office at the Musicians Association. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: It's been way too long since Ballet Hawaii's artistic director Pamela Taylor-Tongg has taken to the dance floor (last time was when she danced the Charleston in a touring show called "Dance of the Ages"). The spell ends when she kicks up her heels in "Return to Elegance," a benefit set for Nov. 3 at the historic Ka'aha'aina, formerly known as the Marks Estate on Old Pali Road in Nu'uanu. The event's Gatsby theme has Taylor-Tongg and Ballet Hawaii board president Susie Schull combing for vintage attire. New owner Doug Himmelfarb is opening up the site after renovations. ...

Augie Rey's Oct. 12 performance at the Pagoda's La Salle Room was quite a hit — he's been asked to do three Fridays in December (Dec. 7, 21 and 28) while he maintains his Saturday serenades at the Elks Club in Waikiki. If the response continues, he's likely to inherit the Friday spot starting in January. Hey, if it works, why not eliminate the merry-go-round bookings? Would save booker Nohelani Cypriano a ton of work. ...

Mike Evans, former Isle DJ who's got the market cornered on celebrity chatter with an occasional Hawai'i spin, has been a bright addition to the morning time "Sunrise on KGMB9" on Channel 9. He used to do a radio version of his Hollywood patter on KSSK, but the station forbade him to expand to TV, so he left to test new waters. Another morning drive show on radio has been contemplating a pick-up. ...

Garry Moore, Little Richard impressionist, will be part of "The Next Best Thing" show at Spirit Mountain Casino in Portland Nov. 2 and 3. ...

BIRTHDAY BITS: To celebrate their 89th birthday this year, two oldtimers got together recently at Kent Ghirard's house in Waikiki — to reflect, share and party. Ghirard's birthday was Sept. 1; the mutual celebrant, Auntie Genoa Keawe, will be 89 on Halloween. The morning get-together included hula and music, with Keawe singing, of course, along with Pa'ahana's Doug Tolentino and Pakala Fernandes. Eric Keawe, Genoa's youngest son, also serenaded, and Ghirard's famed Hula Nani Dancers, plus the Hula Preservation Society's Maile Loo, shared hula. ...

Auntie Genoa also will have a big belated to-do, with a reception from 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m., on Nov. 16 at the Hibiscus Ballroom of the Ala Moana hotel. A stellar lineup of performers will salute and honor her, including Melveen Leed, O'Brien Eselu, Raiatea Helm, the Hawaiian Hall of Fame Serenaders, Gary Aiko, Natalie A'i Kamau'u, Pali, Pomaika'i Keawe Lyman and Kealoha Kalama. Tickets are $60, with a portion of the proceeds supporting the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame, which honored Keawe in 2001. Four KoAloha 'ukulele will be auctioned at the event. Call the Ala Moana, 955-4811, for reservations. ...

SPEAKING OF BIRTHDAYS: Frannie Kirk, Outrigger hotels' entertainment honcho, turned 70 on Oct. 19. The sweetest present was the visit here by sons Michael and Sean, who have been living in Arizona in recent years. ...

DATES TO CIRCLE: A star-studded event, a benefit for the Hawaii Family Support Institute, will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Plaza Club Downtown. It's a First Friday option with a mission: A Pau Hana Celebrity Auction for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse. Music will feature Jimmy Borges, Betty Loo Taylor, Kristian Lei, Mihana Souza, Melveen Leed and The Ebbtides. Tickets are $100, at 585-5990, or celebrityauction@gmail.com ...

X Factor brings urban folk and blues (with a wedge of funk) to the Hawaiian Hut Nov. 10. The lineup also features Paula Fuga and Sidestreet Reny. Call 550-8457 or go to www.honoluluboxoffice.com. ...

Reggae buffs should be delighted to learn that Ziggy Marley returns to Hawai'i with performances Dec. 8 at Kualoa Ranch and Dec. 9 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Details will be forthcoming. ...

Kualoa Ranch is the site of the Jawaiian Barbeque Cookoff and Music Festival, slated for Nov. 17, with music by Natural Vibrations, Ooklah the Moc, Mr. 83, Insight, Micah G and Frontline and Konfrontation. About 20 restaurants will prepare and serve barbecue, so there will be linger-licking along with the body swaying. Tickets: $15 in advance, at www.groovetickets.com, or $20 at the door. ...

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.

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