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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, May 30, 2010

It's party time, as Borges celebrates 75th birthday


By Wayne Harada

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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Singer Jimmy Borges turns 75 on Tuesday, and his daughter Steffanie and her BF are planning a get-together in La-La Land, reuniting many pals from his distant past.

Part of the celebration will be at a black-tie Society of Singers' tribute to Natalie Cole on Tuesday at the Beverly Hilton. Participating notables include singer Monica Mancini, daughter of composer Henry Mancini, and her hubby Gregg Field, a Concord Records partner who played drums with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Count Basie.

Daughter Steffanie had not revealed specifics about her shebang but Borges' hānai son Matt Catingub will commute from Las Vegas, joined by musicians Les Benedict, Ken Wild and Doug McDonald, singer Calabria Foti (spouse of trombonist Bob McChesney) and actress Danica McKellar ("The Wonder Years").

Localite Yvette Nii, now singing with Hiroshima, will reunite with Borges, her mentor; Denise Tom Kellogg (Hawai'i's first Playboy covergirl) and her director-husband, David Kellogg, actress Julia Nickson ("Rambo"), actor Robert Ito ("Quincy") and actress Nancy Kwan ("Flower Drum Song," "The World of Suzie Wong") are also convening. "She calls me 'Jimmy Gorgeous,'" said the birthday lad about Kwan. "From her, I'll expect it; she still looks stunning." Alas, Borges' wife Vicki had local commitments, so couldn't make the trip, but they'll celebrate belatedly on Maui. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Broadway playwright Bernard Sabath learned from his agent that Joe Moore, KHON2 anchor, and Pat Sajak, "Wheel of Fortune" host, were donating their time and talent for five performances of his "The Boys in Autumn" June 24 through 27; so he notified Burton White, Hawai'i Theatre general manager, that he would donate his $500 royalty to benefit the theater. Of course, Burton happily accepted. Tickets: 528-0506, www.hawaiitheatre.com. ...

The theater community saluted and toasted Vanita Rae Smith, ex-honcho of Army Community Theatre, at a tribute dinner last Monday night at the Ko'olau Ballroom. Folks she nurtured and supported over the years sang — Shawna Lynn Masuda, Lenny Klompus, Chris Waugh, Shari Lynn, Renee Garcia, Sam Hesch, Jamie Rolfsmeyer Stroud, Ethan Okura, Alan Edwards, Pedro Hara, the Rev. Sky St. John (previously Patrick Dickson) — and provided a panorama of ACT hits, including "Miss Saigon," "Cats," "Curtains," "Camelot," "A Chorus Line" and "Chicago." ...

ABOUT PEOPLE: Keali'i Rei-chel and his Hālau Kealaokamaile headline "Sing 4 HUGS," a Sunset on the Beach event, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Waikīkī. Proceeds will support seriously ill keiki and their families. ...

Frank DeLima's "Eat Rice," a message to the class of 2010, is getting some radio play. To hear the narrative, go to www..frankdelima.com or check my blog. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...