Singers voice
theater supportIT was a case of "singing the brews" Sunday at Ward Centre when Brew Moon, the new restaurant and microbrewery that opened to the public yesterday, held an invitational fund-raiser for the Hawaii Theatre Center. The theater folks were singing huzzahs because $20,000 was raised for the cause. And singing for their supper (and a few brews) were the likes of Traci Toguchi, former Miss Hawaii back from appearing in the national tour of "Miss Saigon," and last week's Hawaii Theatre headliner Amy Gilliom. Also taking the mike was UH music prof and community theater performer Larry Paxton, who teamed with pianist Mahi Beamer on some Broadway tunes. Other Hawaii performers included Loyal Garner, Tony Conjugacion, Nina Kealiiwahamana and hula dancer Kanoe Miller. Little wonder the Hawaii Theatre was the beneficiary of the Brew Moon opening -- the partner who put the investor package together to lure Brew Moon to the islands is Laurie Foster, whose mother, Mary Foster, is vice chairman of the Hawaii Theatre Center...
Mini reviews
ONE thankfully short subject I viewed at the film festival was produced by HIFF founder Jeannette Paulson-Hereniko and directed by her husband, Vilsoni Hereniko. The 11-minute film, "Just Dancing," which aspired to be visually stunning but came up short, had but a single message for me: If your wife asks you to dance, do it!... I also saw the world premiere of "Restless," the first U.S.-China co-production, and ended up sitting directly behind writer/director Jule Gilfillan, a young woman who has much talent and surely better work ahead of her. The film, set in Beijing, was enjoyable to watch, visually fascinating and perhaps autobiographical, though the script demanded much of an audience's willing suspension of disbelief. Perhaps a collaborator would have helped ...DR. Maurice Nicholson was at the "Restless" showing, and informed me he was going to get married. I'd run into his fiancee, actress Kristine Altwies ("Sylvia" at MVT) the day before and she'd given me the same news, teasing that she always liked older men with graying hair. My response was exactly what the youthful actress expected, "Now you tell me!" ...
GUARANTEED to make the serious filmmakers here for the festival pull out what hair they have left is the news that Adam Sandler's new movie, "The Waterboy," set a record for November openings with a first weekend take of over $39 million, more than most films at the fest are likely to gross in a lifetime...
Galas galore
THE big black tie gala for the French Festival is slated for Saturday night at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. Tom Moffatt is opening his new club, Coconuts, featuring Sonny Maguire and others in the Ilikai on Saturday as well. Despite those conflicts and a couple of others as well, organizers of the celebrity auction for the Hawaii Family Support Center -- Healthy Start, went ahead with plans to hold its function that same night. They were relieved when it quickly became a sell out. "Hawaiian Hollywood" is the theme, and Arthur Lyman will provide good vibes during dinner and Don Ho will be joined by his daughter, Hoku, to inspire bidders to get out their wallets. Many designers are donating vintage fashions and various models from First Model Management will take to the runways gratis. They'll be led by 6-year-old Big Isle girl Kishawn Tualaulelei, the model on the Mary Koski-designed invitation...
Dave Donnelly has been writing on happenings
in Hawaii for the Star-Bulletin since 1968.
His columns run Monday through Friday.Contact Dave by e-mail: donnelly@kestrok.com.