Manny Lagod, an original member of the Aliis (Don Ho’s backup band in nightclubs and recordings), is staging a reunion of the celebrated harmonic quintet that will double as a benefit for the Rock Club’s Music Is the Remedy program. A Jan. 15 get-together is tentatively planned in Los Angeles, date and venue to be confirmed.
The beneficiary organization uses music as therapy for veterans and at-risk youths. A GoFundMe account (gofundme.com/aliis-reunion) has been established to support the reunion.
It’s been 42 years since bassist Lagod (then using his formal surname, Lagodlagod) departed the group. The reunion would include Benny Chong (guitar) and Al Akana (drums), who still reside in Hawaii; Joe Mundo (pianist), who lives in Washington state; and Rudy Aquino (vibes and percussion), who lives in Rarotonga. Former islander Thyra Abraham is helping with promotion. …
SUPER MOMENTS: No denying that Hawaii’s Bruno Mars and Beyonce stole the thunder from headliner Coldplay during the halftime spectacle at last week’s Super Bowl. In sheer numbers of participants — onstage, on field, in stadium card-holding routines — the 50th-anniversary to-do was ambitious and huge. Felt sorry, however, for Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who had a few bright moments but never sparked the kind of sizzling voltage provided by Mars — wearing black leatherlike pajamas bearing the Versace label, indeed! — in that “Uptown Funk” megahit. And then Lady Bey turned on her majestic luminescence with her formidable song-and-dance “Formation,” wearing a Michael Jackson-inspired, black-and-gold costume from DSquared2, creating her own upbeat funk — but not without some post-show controversy since the number paid tribute to the Black Panthers.
Of course, everyone got involved in a mash-up and reprise of “Uptown Funk.” The tune, co-authored by Mars and Mark Ronson, was Apple’s best-selling single in 2015 and could earn a record of the year Grammy on Monday in Los Angeles. …
BLUE HAWAII: A soul-stirring idea — a Sunday Gospel Brunch featuring the newly formed Blue Note Gospel Choir — will be unveiled Easter Sunday (March 27) at the Blue Note Hawaii at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. The choir of singers and musicians who’ve gigged hither and yon and now call Hawaii home will bring something essential to the Sunday brunch format: live music that will raise the rafters … hallelujah! Doors open at 11 a.m. for brunch, followed by the 1 p.m. show. Cost: $47, including choice of alcoholic beverages plus coffee, tea, soft drinks. Details: www.bluenotehawaii.com. …
Further, Bobby Caldwell, the versatile jazz singer and multi-instrumentalist, is heading for the Blue Note for two nightly shows March 17-20. Mark that one on your calendar. …
Local acts bask in the Blue Note spotlight, too: Don Tiki starring Starr Kalahiki, Tuesday through Thursday; Anuhea and Friends, featuring Paula Fuga, starting Friday through Feb. 21; and the Rough Riders, with Henry Kapono, Brother Noland and John Cruz, March 31 through April 2. Two shows nightly. Call 777-4890. …
WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Robinson Denzer, a Castle Performing Arts Center student, is New York-bound this summer after graduating from Castle High to participate in the ballet program at Juilliard. For the past four years he’s trekked from his Waialua home daily to study with Natalie Uehara in the Kaneohe school’s dance program. Meanwhile, the Castle dance kids will stage their annual concert April 15-17 and 22-24. …
And “Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr.” plays at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Ronald Bright Theatre at Castle High School. Saoirse Rhyn, a King Intermediate student, plays the title character, supported by kids in grades 5 to 8 in the Castle Complex, directed by Karen Meyer. The Mr. Bright tradition lives on. Tickets: $12 adults, $8 students, seniors and military. Call 233-5626. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com. Read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at staradvertiser.com.
