BRAVO! When Francis Ruivivar's big little show was over at the Polynesian Palace Thursday night, I wanted more. The former Kalani and St. Louis offensive lineman who made it big on Broadway put on a sterling opening performance, showcasing his vocal artistry, a little dancing and a bit of percussion work. He's a dynamic, powerful performer with wonderful stage presence. The show kept building as he sang various hits from Broadway shows. I liked "Music of the Night" from "Phantom" and "Impossible Dream" from "La Mancha" best. Society of Seven leader Tony Ruivivar can be proud of his "little" brother. Francis was backed by his wife, vocalist Cathryn Croft, drummer Noel Okimoto, guitarist Robert Taylo and musical director and vocalist Jeannette Trevias on keyboards. Croft sang "Memory" from "Cats." It was worth a hana ho. Broadway fans should catch this act. It repeats tonight and July 18-19 ... Ruivivar return
home to triumphTHE BEAUTIFUL lines of vintage cars rivaled the striking lines of the clothing and models at the Kahala Mandarin's Thursday fashion show produced by Mari Frey. Attorney Stu Cowen revved up three of his vintage beauties, including a Rolls, to join the Jaguars and other classics that chauffeured models to the Plumeria Cafe beachfront. Mandarin G.M. Seamus McManus, who took part in an earlier fashion show with a motorcycle theme, said he is looking forward to a show using mountain bikes. Got that Mari? ...
ARTIST John Young will paint during the antique, art and treasures auction to benefit the Girl Scout Council of Hawaii next Saturday, noon to 6 p.m., at the Girl Scout Hale, 420 Wyllie St., in Nuuanu ...
I KNEW I was in San Francisco when a young man with a shaved head crossed the street in the middle of town at busy Union Square wearing nothing but a pair of Jockey briefs. That was a bit much even for San Francisco. The next day there was plenty of flesh to be seen in the gay and lesbian parade on Market Street ... Vacation highs and lows
I HAD lunch at Bardelli's with Anne Holt, the former S.F.-based Hawaii Visitors Bureau executive. Lunching with us was Blanche Berger, president of Cable Car Travel Productions. Blanche said her son, Bill Thompson, and Marty Balin co-founded the Jefferson Airplane. Thompson managed the group, later called the Jefferson Starship, for 15 years, and was the man who hired vocalist Grace Slick. Anne later took me to meet Maui boy Richard Miyashiro, senior vice president of Pat Kuleto Restaurants at Farallon, a new $4 million eatery near Union Square. Miyashiro is a St. Anthony High grad. In Farallon, Anne spoke to Michael Gutierrez, who managed famed Trader Vic's restaurant in S.F. for years. Anne had high praise for Sheraton Palace Hotel manager Don Timbie, who was on top of the restoration of the famed Palace several years ago. Timbie was given the task after doing such a good job supervising the renovation of the Moana Hotel ... I dined with transplanted islander Vernon "Bully" Windrath, my Roosevelt High '49 classmate and football co-captain. His wife, Shirley, and Joe Lin, another RHS product, attended ...
ONWARD: TV Chef Emeril Lagasse said he wanted to be a part of the second anniversary party Thursday night at Sam Choy's at Diamond Head "because Sam's the best." Sam and Emeril collaborated on the dinner, then spent the night going from table to table. Nice guys. Hawaiian music by Ethelynne Teves and Ainsley Halemanu was frosting on the cake. The ultimate compliment for Lagasse came from avid golfer Craig Bamer. He says when Lagasse's show comes on the food channel, he immediately switches from the golf channel to Lagasse's show...
HAWAII scores big in Billboard's best-selling World Music top 15 records for next week. The late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "n Dis Life" was fourth; Na Leo Pilimehana made it twice for "Colours" (11) and "Anthology 1984-1996" (14), and Robi Kahakalau's "Keiki O Ka Aina" was 13th ... Don't forget Blue Hawaiian Moonlight at the Waikiki Shell tonight ... Four Isle CDs hit Billboard