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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, April 15, 2008

SHOW BIZ
Billy Ray Cyrus to head Schofield bash

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Columnist

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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Billy Ray Cyrus, known for his hit, "Achy Breaky Heart," is Hawai'i-bound to headline the 37th annual Schofield Barracks Fourth of July celebration at Sills Field. Might superstar daughter Miley Cyrus be in tow?

Yep, the father of TV's "Hannah Montana" will headline the annual July 4 bash at the Army installation, complete with day-long festivities including a fun run, pony rides, crafts bazaar, and food and game booths. And, of course, aerial fireworks.

Vanita Rae Smith, Army entertainment honcho, can't say (and probably shouldn't, if she could) whether the country-western singer, who will have a new CD dubbed "Home at Last" on Walt Disney Records sometime this summer, would have his tween-queen daughter along for the Hawai'i trip. Imagine if she's backstage and takes a bow — or sings! ...

'Nuff said. The concert is free, with Cyrus taking the stage at 5:05 p.m. There will be the usual Tropic Lightning Band's "1812 Overture," leading to "The Flags We Follow," likely with Jo Pruden narrating, and the fireworks finale. ...

AROUND TOWN: Hawai'i Theatre is readying its annual gala, "Encore," which is set for May 2 at the Kahala Hotel and Resort. The black-tie affair is the fundraiser biggie of the season, responsible for 35 percent of the community-support revenue, so the squeeze is on to get folks revved up. One of the joys of the event is the auction, where, in this year's "Let Us Entertain You" category, there will be an opportunity to bid for a serenade by Jimmy Borges, a sunset cocktail and dinner bash hosted by Guy Merola and Mark Wong at their Makiki home, with musical accompaniment by Merola (singer) and Wong (at piano and organ), plus a private command performance by The Brothers Cazimero — Robert and Roland. You won't find these on eBay or Amazon.com. ...

Other biddables range from a sunset cruise for 20 aboard the Vida Mia, a sister ship of President Kennedy's Danny Boy, to an African safari for two. Corporate tables are available for $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000. For reservations, call Elaine Evans, at 791-1302. ...

By the way, "Menopause the Musical," the national touring show about a particular phase in a woman's life, provides abundant fun, with that cast of four (Janis Roeton, Liz Hyde, Monique Whittington and Nancy Slusser) singing and strutting with blissful joy to catchy songs you've heard and sung along with over the years. Best voice and best moment: When Whittington makes like Tina Turner, complete with wig and shimmying. The contention is that menopause is a passage that doesn't mean you have to be passive — and in that spirit, "Menopause" pokes gentle fun about hot flashes and husbands who sleep on the couch. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: The Makaha Sons — Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Jerome Koko and John Koko — will headline a show of "Hawai'i's Legends and Japan's Best" at 8 p.m. May 31 at Carnegie Hall in New York. The cast includes singers Nina Keali'iwahamana and Marlene Sai and hula soloist Beverly Noa, plus Hokulani and Larry de Rego and Halau Hula 'O Hokulani, with appearances by the Danny Akaka Trio, Clarence Kiyoshi Hirakawa 'Ukulele Troupe, Kyoko Kubokawa and Hula Halau Ka Hula O Hawai'i, and falsetto singers George Matsushita and Island King. Harry B. Soria Jr., of radio and online's "Territorial Tavern," will emcee. For tickets, call 212-247-7800 or visit www.carnegiehall.org. ...

Jo-Ann Kahanamoku, an expert featherwork artist, will receive the Duke's Ho'okahiko Award on April 24 at Duke's Waikiki. The award honors individuals who exemplify the finest traditions of Hawai'i. ...

HERE 'N' THERE: Lt. Andrew Baldwin, the one-time Navy doctor here who became one of ABC-TV's "The Bachelor," has been reassigned to a post in Washington, D.C., but that's not the news. He is dating Donald Trump's ex, Marla Maples, and confirms the rumor. ...

Enchanted Lake Elementary School is mounting an ambitious and lovely evening of Hawaiiana, dubbed "Legends of Hawaiian Music V Concert," from 5 to 9 p.m. May 3 at the school, at 770 Keolu Drive. There will be Hawaiian food, but the lure should be the roster of performers: Eddie Kamae & The Sons of Hawai'i (Mike Ka'awa, Ocean Kaowili, Paul Kim, Anal 'Aina), Nickie Hines, Alan Akaka, Keith and Carmen Haugen, Ron Miyashiro, Frank Uyehara, Matt Love, Eddie Palama, Herb Lee, Joe Mokulehua, Benny Chong and Byron Yasui. The Keiki Palaka Band with Mel Murata will also perform, along with Henry Leoiki, Ron Johnson, the Lanakila Makua and the Waimanalo Sunset Band. Tickets are $8; a Hawaiian plate will be served. Bring your own beach chairs and mats on which to sit; no coolers or video allowed. For tickets, call Mel Murata at 255-7884, or Lynn Murata, at 266-7802, by Friday. ...

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.