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On the Scene John Berger |
Salazar worthy
competitorDon McDiarmid Jr. rarely promotes albums released by record labels other than his own, but the veteran Hawaiian record producer says he's looking forward to Owana Salazar's upcoming "Hula Jazz" album -- particularly her rendition of "South Seas Sadie," a hapa-haole classic written by his father, Don McDiarmid Sr. Salazar, who records for Maui-based Moonbow Records, is in Louisiana preparing for her showcase performances in the 35th Anniversary New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and will be back in May. As for Don Jr., the founder and long-time president of Hula Records gives Salazar what may be the ultimate accolade: "Sure wish she was on my label." ... It was impossible to watch Clara Ann Chorley perform during most of Paliku Theatre's opening night production of "Noises Off" wearing only white heels, bra, garter belt and granny panties without thinking of the late Dave Donnelly and how much he would have enjoyed the show. Chorley confided that Dave sought her out for a long talk last fall after seeing her big comic sex scene with Jared Jeffries in Manoa Valley Theatre's "Apartment 3-A" ...
I wonder if as many people participated in the combined Honolulu Triathlon and 2004 USA Triathlon events on Sunday as were inconvenienced by them? After 45 minutes dealing with gridlocked traffic and seething drivers I reluctantly gave up on seeing Nina Keali'iwahama at the Halekulani and detoured to Henry Kapono's CD party at Duke's. Even so, with Kuhio Avenue constricted by the obstacles erected as part of Mayor Harris's street narrowing project and traffic was equally horrendous. There should be a way to accommodate races without disrupting other events! ... David Allaire, senior VP of Duke's Canoe Club, flew from Maui with his family for Henry Kapono's party and stopped at Ala Moana Center en route from the airport. Three minutes was all it took for someone to break into their rental car ...
Happy Birthday: To Shawn Pimental, who's celebrating tomorrow ... also to Benny Chong (April 25), Kealoha Kalama (April 27), and Ku'uipo Kumukahi (April 28) ...
Looking Back to April 1977: Ethel Azama had just opened at the Jolly Roger East, the Honolulu Doggs were rocking at Joon Park's Dragon Lady on Kalakaua, the Chung Brothers featuring Pat Carvalho were headlining at the Surfboard Lounge in the Waikiki Beachcomber, and disco DJs Rick Mayo and "Disco Ted" Cleveland were breaking new music at da Sting and Spats weeks, and sometimes months, before it reached local radio. ...
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
John Berger has covered the local
entertainment scene since 1972. Contact
him at jberger@starbulletin.com.