Wood Craft Ben Wood

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Dancing with Hawaii’s stars raises $5,000 for charity

Put a standout band in a spectacular location and a large crowd will turn out to dance the night away. That was proved Tuesday night at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel's Monarch Room when the Hawaii Romance Festival brought back an "old-style" dinner-dance called "Dancing With the Stars: Hawaiian Style." About 180 people paid $65 each to get in on it. Guests could dance with their significant other to the Matt Catingub Orchestra and for $10 they got a rubber ring to give to a celebrity for a dance. Approximately $5,000 was raised in sales of rings for the celeb dancers to benefit the Hawaii Arts Alliance. Old-time taxi dancers in Honolulu never did that well. Carolyn Berry, a backer of the festival, and Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona were honored for being tapped by guests for the most dances and getting the most rings ...

Several of the celeb dancers enhanced the evening by singing. They included Jimmy Borges, Amy Hanaialii and Candes Gentry, all well-known singers, and Malika Dudley. Malika was a surprise vocalist, belting out "Summertime" in a big, throaty voice. Guest Mihana Souza was asked to sing "I'll Remember You" as Kanoe Cazimero danced hula. Some women in the audience stepped up to hula with her, including Cha Thompson, Dee Jay Mailer and Sweetie Pacarro, all celeb dancers, and guest Aulii Graf, who needed encouragement to get out there although she's a hula pro and was born to dance. Catingub sang many numbers besides leading the band. The girls of the Kamehameha Dance Troupe, 12 strong, performed and there was a cha-cha exhibition by Carlos Chang and his partner. Allen Sviridoff, cofounder of the festival with Catingub and the idea man, was emcee. Actress Ann Rutherford, 87, added star power to the party. We talked about the Waikiki of "olden days." The "Gone With the Wind" supporting actress spent lengthy vacations here in earlier years. She was gracious, looking great for her age and is sharp as a tack ...

Pops conductor Catingub and guest conductor Ann Krinitsky will lead the orchestra as it plays for the Symphony Ball next Saturday at the Hawaii Convention Center. Vocalist is Anita Hall for the ball that is themed "Ports of Call." The Darryl Pelligrini Jazz Quartet is also on the bill and will perform during orchestra breaks and late in the evening. During dinner, the "Hot Club of Hulaville" will present a program inspired by the music of French cafés. Violinist Duane Padilla and double bassist David Chiorini will pay homage to the music of French gypsy musicians in pre-war Europe as well as the music of legends Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Duke Ellington. Tickets are $300 each. Call 524-0815 ext. 244 ...

The five Hawaii Ruth's Chris steak houses will give moms dining on Mother's Day tomorrow a rose and a $25 gift card to use on their next visit. All of the restaurants will open at 4 p.m. tomorrow ...