Boys + toys = Christmas joy. That’s the outlook for ManoaDNA‘s Third Annual "Boys & Their Toys" drive for toys (plus a concert by the dad-and-sons group), from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Lanai Bar of Gordon Biersch Restaurant, Aloha Tower Marketplace.
ManoaDNA — dad Lloyd Kawakami and sons Nick and Alex — are hosting the drive with the kokua of the Marine Corps to collect donations of new, unwrapped toys and cash to benefit the Oahu Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.
The first year’s effort was impromptu, with about three dozen toys collected. "Last year we donated a dozen huge cardboard boxes full of toys," said Nick, who hopes for a throng of 200 supporters and lots more toys this year.
"Some of my best memories as a kid were waking up early and opening presents," said Alex. "I’m really glad we get to do something that will give the same experiences to Hawaii families."
For added pleasure the evening includes music byNa Hoku Hanohano Award-winning Jon Yamasato and Herb Ohta Jr.
Also, ManoaDNA will give away prizes donated by Iolani Sportswear, Hyatt Waikiki, Lulu’s Waikiki, JTB Hawaii, KoAloha Ukulele and Oakley Hawaii … and a grand prize will be a Hawaiian Airlines trip for two to Tokyo.
Reservations: 599-4877. …
MARS ‘N’ MUPPETS: Local boy Bruno Mars makes his Muppets debut in bouncy fashion, singing a snappy and chirpy "Don’t Give Up" on "Sesame Street." Yep, he croons a tune that replicates the tempo and whimsy of his "The Lazy Song" hit, with a try-and-try-again message. With a lesson on perseverance, the ditty fits the children’s TV show’s mission to educate and entertain. Muppets provide the visual pleasure, one getting hit by balls until he finally makes a catch, another learning to remain on roller skates after a few tumbles. You can find the video on YouTube. …
Mars had a hand in Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa‘s movie soundtrack to Dylan Brown‘s "Mac & Devin Go to High School," on which Mars assisted (via his Smeezingtons production link)in the making of the first single, "Young, Wild Free," which drops Dec. 13. Mars is like the sun, rising daily with brightness. …
CALENDAR CUES: Frank De Lima‘s annual Christmas show, where he does his trademark "Filipino Christmas" (usually in a lit-up Christmas tree get-up), will be staged Friday at the Pagoda’s C’est Si Bon. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., buffet dinner is at 6 p.m. and the performance is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $48 adults, $24 kids 3 to 8. Call 948-8369. …
"A Bhutanese Evening," from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Fishcake, 307-C Kamani St., will offer Bhutanese/Himalayan munchies, music and a film screening. Proceeds will help fund a READ Community Library and Resource Center in Bhutan. Asian dress is suggested. …
Also, "A Cazimero Christmas" unwraps Friday through Dec. 11 at the Hawaii Theatre; and "Riverdance," the dance spectacle, opens Wednesday at Blaisdell Concert Hall for a run through Dec. 11. …
AROUND TOWN: Singer Melveen Leed, with new hubby Miguel Reyes, took in "Le Bizarre Divas" Nov. 26 at the Queen Kapiolani’s Akala Room. "We were married in Las Vegas," she cooed, twinkling with happiness. …
The "Divas" show, produced by Derek Daniels and Jack Cione, featured an amazing Brandy Lee, who’s in her mid-70s and still has "it," singing live and strutting in peekaboo costumes. Folks still remember her from the Glades on Hotel Street. …
Daniels, a choreographer-dancer himself, was all over the stage, in a burlesque tribute and as Tina Turner in a salute to classic pop divas, with Coco Chandelier and Harley Davidson upholding the shapely boys-will-be-girls artistry (and what appropriate names; one dazzles, one varooms).
Savvy group numbers like "Cell Block Tango" from "Chicago" and the "Moulin Rouge" segment, with guy-dolls in cancan finery, were crowd-teasers. Singer Ginai did a splendid half-hour warm-up set, and spectators included Cha Thompson, Meteliko, Eddie and Patti Sherman, Kalo Soukop and Burton White. …
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 www.staradvertiser.com.
