|
Hawaii Dave Donnelly |
On Maui at least,
practice makes pizzaTAKING a day off in Ho-nolulu, before returning to Maui for rehearsing "Soulmates," were the rock opera's composer, Patricia Watson, veteran musical director David Gaffigan and some cast members. They had to get back for that night's rehearsal of the original work to be performed at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater Aug. 22 to 24. Certainly the best known cast member, poet Rod McKuen, was with the entourage including Mary Jo Catlett (who did "In Living Color" on TV), star James Milanese (who'll wow the girls) and Sasha Alexandra. We had coffee together before they had to leave for Maui. What would draw McKuen away from his many mainland appearances? "Well, it is Hawaii," he said, in lieu of today's "Duh." Gaffigan, a directing pro, learned about "Maui time" when everybody showed up late for the first rehearsals, so he imposed a fine of a quarter for the first 15 minutes one is late and $5 thereafter, with the money to go for a closing pizza party. And how is that working. "Let's just say," said Gafigan, "that we're going to have a helluva party." ...
INCIDENTALLY, I listened to the CD of "Soulmates" and found it tuneful and thought-provoking, with one cut that shows promise of being a huge rock hit. Program directors and D.J.'s alike should check out the song, "Johnny's in Jail." I played it four times in a row and loved it ...
Ho boy
LOOKS like D.J. Roger Carroll, first to introduce Don Ho on the mainland while with KMPC in L.A., wasn't the only one with isle ties taking in the Don Ho show in San Juan Capistrano Sunday. Former isle p.r. man Nick Sylvester and wife Barbara were also there. During one segment, Ho asked if anyone in the audience had made babies in Hawaii and the Sylvesters raised their hands at once. Asked if they'd given the baby a Hawaiian name, they answered, "David Kalani," and Don gave them a shaka sign. When he closed with "I'll Remember You," Sylvester admits he and his wife had misty eyes ...YEARNING for something different? You may want to take in "A Hot Taste of Flamenco/Latin Jazz" with Sasha, Ukranian master of the seven-string guitar, at Arts at Mark's Garage Aug. 21. It's only $10 and for that you get a blend of Latin rhythms with "Slavic Soul." Sasha describes it in culinary terms: "It's a musical stew with Brazilian, Spanish, Cuban and many other ingredients an the cook is Ukrainian." ...
Emme in S.F. and on TV
BACK from a mainland trip is TV's Emme Tomimbang. She's used to seeing her name in the local press, but was shocked when she popped up in Leah Garchick's S.F. Chronicle column: "Kristi Yamaguchi, Emerald Yeh, execs from Visa and Macy's and former Police Chief Fred Lau were at Roys...at a dinner for Emme Tomimbang, host of "Emme's Island Moments" on Hawaiian TV, which is about to show a segment on restaurateur Roy Yamaguchi." Emme is in fact presenting a double header of shows on chefs tomorrow from 8 to 10 p.m. on KGMB. Besides Yamaguchi, she'll focus on Alan Wong, Russell Siu and Jean Marie Josselin, now running Cafe 808 in Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas ...
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
Dave Donnelly has been writing on happenings in Hawaii for the Star-Bulletin since 1968. The Week That Was runs Sundays and recalls items from Dave's 30 years of columns. Contact Dave by e-mail: ddonnelly@starbulletin.com
