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Wood Craft
GEORGE BENSON, fresh from his Grammy performance with Diana Krall and Benson may team
with KrallErika Badu, was shopping at Neiman Marcus last Saturday with Johnnie, his wife of 34 years, and Jackie and Myrna Evans. Benson is doing a benefit concert tonight on Maui with Henry Allen and Joe Cano for cerebral palsy patient Elaine Oda. "This was the smoothest Grammy show I have ever been to," said singer-guitarist Benson, who has been in "about 10 Grammys." He said he and pianist-singer Krall, who digs Nat King Cole Trio songs, are talking about doing a CD of Cole's songs from the '50s. Benson, who appeared on the Perry & Price show earlier, bought a suit from Neiman salesman Denny Tanaka and was trying on a jacket and shoes when I intro'd myself. "Look at this jacket," he said. "My sons are going to love me. They'll say, 'Dad, you've finally loosened up.' " Cool ... Liz Robinson, a UH law student and mom of two, won a trip to the Grammys as a winner of a national legal writing contest. She also got to take a photo with Stevie Wonder. Liz's topic: "The Global Response to Digital Music Piracy" ...
Congratulations are in order
Dr. Armand Kainoa Chong and Cathy Lee Mosteller will marry March 25 and hold their reception at Michel's. Armand was a star athlete at Iolani, Class of '79, and Cathy is Iolani's communications chief. I'm pleased about this union as Wood Craft played a part in it -- but that's another story. Cathy's dad is famed graphic designer Clarence Lee, whose Year of the Dragon graphic was selected by the Postal Service for a 33-cent stamp. Cathy and Armand put Clarence's stamp on their invitation and RSVP envelopes ... Hertz's Bill Williams and wife, Ramona, marked their 15th anniversary Thursday with cocktails at John Dominis and dinner at Hoku's ...The Academy of Arts has taken on a definite Egyptian look to prepare for the "Treasures from Ancient egypt" exhibit. Fujio Kaneko is turning the Luce Gallery into a tomb. A pyramid has been set up at the Academy entrance. The exhibit runs March 16-July 30 ... Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra will break loose in Blaisdell Arena next Saturday. When it comes to modern trumpet men, Marsalis, winner of eight Grammys, is the cream of the crop ...
ON opening night of the Hawaii Opera Theatre's "Barber of Seville," Dr. Bartolo's bulldog, Leroy, got out of his collar on stage and refused to leave. Leroy was a hit and may land another role next season ... Ben Affleck's "Reindeer Games," billed as a crime thriller, is so unbelievable that the surprises, which should be shocking, have dull impact. The cast is strong, but the story is absurd ...
Visiting chefs at Hilton's Bali
Chef Raphael Lunetta, owner of JiRaffe in Santa Monica, and his assistant chef, Chris Minutoli, will offer a three-course dinner at Hilton's Bali, Monday through next Saturday, $45. Bali chef Jean-Luc Voegele will assist the visitors. The trio will prepare Zinfandel-inspired dishes for Hawaii Public Radio's Wine Classic Auction and Tasting, which is heavy on Zinfandels, tomorrow from noon to 5 p.m. at Hilton's Tapa Ballroom.Tickets, $55, will be sold at the door ... Bob Rhea, who did quite well under the golden arches of McDonald's, and wife, Ida, threw a dinner at the Bali recently for former Sen. Hiram and Ellyn Fong, Betty Ho, Joanna Sullivan, Blossom Tyau, Jayne Miho, "Tita" Tang, Don Gedge and Ed and Peggy Eu. The Rheas have homes in Chicago, London and the Riviera ...
Ben Wood, who sold the Star-Bulletin in the streets
of downtown Honolulu during World War II, writes of
people, places and things every Saturday.
E-mail him at bwood@starbulletin.com