JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Local actor Pedro Haro, left, celebrated with playwright/director Troy Apostol, third from left, and cast members Kiana I. Rivera (in red), K.C. Odell, Jaedee-Kae Vergara, Reno David and Stu Hirayama at the opening-night party for Apostol's new play -- "Who the Fil-Am I?" -- at Kumu Kahua Nov. 9. Vergara's portrayal of a young Filipina who becomes a stripper to support her daughter gives the show its emotional impact. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Paul Brown, right, congratulated Greg Howell at the post-show reception for Howell's one-man show, "Fully Committed," at Manoa Valley Theatre Nov. 15. It is the second time Howell has starred in playwright Becky Mode's clever contemporary comedy, and he is excellent. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Tani Lynn Fujimoto, left, and Jordan Segundo talked with Hawaii Theatre Center President Sarah Richards and Yves Saint Laurent boutique manager Kenny Abiog during a party at YSL Waikiki last Thursday. Shoppers received a 15 percent discount on almost everything, and a portion of the proceeds was donated to Hawaii Theatre. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Clint Arnoldus of Central Pacific Bank congratulated Mani Schneider, left, and her mother, Fine Wine Imports CEO Mapuana Schneider, at the Association of Fundraising Professionals Hawaii Chapter awards luncheon at the Sheraton Waikiki on Friday. CPB was honored as Outstanding Corporation of 2006, and Fine Wine Imports as Outstanding Small Business. Dr. Lawrence Tseu was named Outstanding Philanthropist; Mitchell D'Olier, Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser; and Terry Wells, Outstanding Professional Fundraiser. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Allison Chu, center, sat in with Pierre Grill and Ginai at Hank Taufaasau's new club, the Dragon Upstairs, on Friday. It was a big night at the Dragon, a jazz club above Hank's Cafe on Nuuanu Avenue, because party master Justin Yoshino was presenting "Red Dragon," a event that filled both clubs with people celebrating Kyle Mitsumori's birthday. CLICK FOR LARGE