Bennett show
a knockoutTONY BENNETT, bursting with charisma and showmanship, held a Blaisdell Concert Hall crowd in the palm of his hand New Year's Eve with his inimitable song styling and charm. Tony brought in the New Year and then came back for more. He sang for almost two hours straight, backed by the splendid Ralph Sharon quartet. Pianist Sharon has been with Bennett for 30 years. Besides his rich vocal tone on songs such as "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," "In My Solitude," "People" and "Stranger in Paradise," Tony's expressions and moves fit the mood of each tune. And he had no trouble with high notes. He made everything look so easy and effortless. Fred Astaire he is not, but Bennett would throw in a few dance steps on up-tempo numbers such as "Stepping Out With My Baby." Even though his steps were like those of a rather clumsy and heavy-footed boxer, it was delightful, particularly when he would do a complete spin. Tony can ad-lib, too. As he was singing "I Want to Be Around," a man yelled, "Sing it, baby." Tony shot back, "What the hell you think I'm doing?" The crowd roared ...
Doing lunch with Ben, Vicky
ABOUT 1,000 people streamed through Washington Place New Year's Day to have lunch with Gov. Ben and Vicky Cayetano. "We do this thing every year," Cayetano said. "You may have noticed we even invited a few Republicans." The guv and Vicky took in the Paul Anka show New Year's Eve. Asked by former Lt. Gov. Bill Richardson what he thought of the UH basketball team beating second-ranked Kansas, the guv said, "That team is for real." Society of Seven leader Tony Ruivivar attended the lunch. He said his family was all set for the Halekulani wedding of his son Anthony to Yvonne Jung tomorrow. Judge Jim Burns and wife Emme Tomimbang arrived, with Jim wearing the name-tag, "Jim Tomimbang" ...CEC HEFTEL, Owana Salazar and Richard Turbin were in deep political conversation at Craig and SuAnn Bamer's striking view home on New Year's Eve ... Die-hard guests were still singing karaoke at Herb and Jennifer Zukerkorn's New Year's Eve blast well into the wee hours. The Zukerkorns had the Abe Weinstein band play at their party earlier.
"PANIOLO O HAWAII - Cowboys of the Far West," Edgy Lee's excellent documentary about Hawaiian cowboys, will have its Big Island premier Friday at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel Ballroom ...
NEW YEAR'S Day was Washington State's first return to the Rose Bowl since losing to Alabama in 1931. WSU was defeated by Michigan, 21-16, Thursday in Pasadena. Boyd Yap sends in a reminder that '31 was the first time a part-Hawaiian ever played in the New Year's Day classic. He was Boyd's grandfather, Harold "Dope" Yap, from Punahou's class of '27, who was later a Punahou football coach and athletic director. Boyd. Kamehameha '80, was too modest to mention he was a terrific running back for both Kamehameha and Kaiser and also played for UH. His dad, entertainer Barry Yap, Punahou '54, was an All-American swimmer at Indiana U. in '57 and was a prep All-American at Punahou for three years ...
Anderson completes quest
TOM ANDERSON of Reyn's Rack has completed a golfer's dream. In '88 he started his quest to play all eight courses on which the British Open is played. Last year he played No. 8 and wonders how many other golfers here have done it. The eight courses are Scotland's St. Andrews, Royal Troon, Turnberry, Muirfield and Carnoustieu, and England's Royal Lythan and St. Annes, Royal St. Georges and Royal Birkeale ...