Hawaii
THIS is quite a time for anniversaries. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Honolulu Symphony, the orchestra enlisted noted Musical milestones
designer Clarence Lee to create a limited edition poster, and a handsome one it is. Autographed copies of the poster will be on sale at Saturday's gala opening of the Symphony, featuring Marilyn Horne ... Meanwhile, the Honolulu Symphony Associates, a fund-raising support group for the orchestra, celebrates its 50th anniversary this season. Founded in 1950 by Dora Derby, the group begins its golden year today with a concert preview at the home of Carolyn Berry ... And after completing 20 years of broadcasting the "Territorial Airwaves" radio show on KCCN, founder and host Harry B. Soria is packing up and moving the show to KINE, Hawaiian 105. He'll host a Sunday show from 2 to 6 p.m., with the final hour dedicated to "Territorial Airwaves" ...
SPEAKING of which, a musical play about old-time radio, "The 1940's Radio Hour," is now playing at Manoa Valley Theater. I have a small part in the play, though I never got involved with radio until much later than the period portrayed. George Mason, on the other hand, served as a "stage parent" to the cast, bringing goodies to rehearsals periodically. Before founding Pacific Business News he was a radio announcer -- yes, in the 1940's ...
Miracle Grow gone awry?
DON'T be alarmed if you run into a Charley Memminger-sized banana, a papaya the size of Ben Cayetano or a pineapple that resembles Sam Choy at the Children's Discovery Center Saturday. It's just the kick-off of HMSA's "5 a Day" Friends campaign. The "Friends" are colorful life-sized mascots dressed as a banana, papaya, mushroom, pineapple and broccoli. Their goal is to encourage kiddies to eat five servings of fruits and veggies a day to improve health and avoid cancer and other illnesses. Later in the month, HMSA, Foodland and Chef Sam Choy will co-sponsor cooking demos in various Foodland stores ...AND while we're on the subject of pineapple, Chef Alan Wong will be kicking off his much anticipated restaurant at Liberty House Ala Moana, The Pineapple Room & Bar, on Sept. 18. The grand opening celebration will kick off with pineapple martinis and those attending will be among the first to sample Chef Wong's latest culinary creations. The fare is a pricey $125, but a portion of the money will benefit Bishop Museum and Leeward Community College, so eat up. And let me know how you like that pineapple martini ...
Short and sweet
THIS seems to be the time of year for Rodgers and Hammerstein. The Army Community Theater is running "The Sound of Music," and the sound is sweet indeed thanks to Katie Doyle, who completely dominates the show as Maria. And it's hard to dislike all those sweet songs, try as you may. And while Doyle is an experienced musical performer on the stage, the other R&H show, "Cinderella," will feature former Miss Hawaii Melissa Short in her theatrical debut. Short's Cinderella will be surrounded by an experienced group of actors and singers to help ease her way. Also in director John Rampage's cast are Andrew Sakaguchi, Laurence Paxton, Stefanie Smart and Lisa Konove with Stephanie Curtis Conching and Eurhrosyne Rushforth as the Ugly Stepsisters and Starr Kalahiki as the Fairy Godmother. It opens Sept. 17 at Diamond Head Theater and plays through Oct. 3 ...
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: ddonnelly@starbulletin.com