That Filipino Community Center tribute Nov. 9 to media maven Emme Tomimbangis evolving into a major concert with star power. It featuresWillie K, who seldom performs on Oahu anymore; Jasmine Trias, the "American Idol" Season 3 finalist, returning home from Los Angeles; and jazz icon Jimmy Borges. Quite a showbill.
Jordan Segundo, who was Hawaii’s first "Idol" contestant, also has been added, and Tomimbang is awaiting confirmation from Philippines superstar Martin Nievera.
The tribute salutes the founder and host of "Emme’s Island Moments," Tomimbang’s celeb-loaded TV specials that have made a profound impact on the Filipino community and the state at large. Hers was a video magazine everyone "read."
If she pointed her mic at you to share stories, you were indeed somebody.
With the Maui-based Willie K on the bill, the musical portion has taken on a new monicker — "Sharing Memorable Moments With Emme & Friends." He has been a regular performer in her annual Christmas TV specials but there are also familial links.
As Tomimbang said, "I wanted Willie to be the key performer because my husband Jim Burns (the retiredjudge) and I consider him as family. I’m the godmother of his daughter Lycettiana."
Her foodie faves —Alan Wong, Roy Yamaguchi, D.K. Kodama and Philippe Padovani, along with master sommelier Robert Viernes—have promised a Filipino-inspired culinary feast, a first of sorts and a coup for FilCom planners. For tickets, call 680-0451. …
Tomimbang is also on the cover and pens the cover story on caregiving in November’s Generations magazine. …
CLOSING, TIMES TWO: Brian Jahnke, who plays the Bishop in "Les Miserables" at Paliku Theatre, observes two closings today: The musical he’s in winds up a six-week run with a sold-out 4 p.m. matinee and Jahnke hosts a post-show cast party at Wai‘oli Tea Room, the Manoa eatery he’s been running for a decade, which also closes — temporarily — after tonight’s celebration.
"I will miss Wai‘oli," said Jahnke, who is letting his lease with the Salvation Army, which owns the restaurant, expire. "Fortunately, Salvation Army decided to keep anyone who wanted to continue working." Most oldtimers will remain, but he’s moving on. The restaurant will close this week to repave the parking lot and reopens Nov. 10.
Wai‘oli hosted celebs a few days back: Cameron Crowe‘s "Deep Tiki" stars Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone did some filming there, with restaurant help hired as extras. Jahnke heads to North Dakota for a family Thanksgiving and starts his job hunt upon return. …
CURTAIN CALLS: Many out-of-towners have flocked to catch "Les Miz," including actress DeeDee Magno, wife of Cliffton Hall, who flew in from Los Angeles to catch him as Marius. Others: director Ron Bright‘s grandsons Chris and Timothy (sons of maestro Clarke Bright), from Orange County, Calif.; Johnny Pastor, an actor from L.A.; John Bryan, a former Bright actor and pal of many folks in the cast, from Osaka, Japan; Zenia Moura‘s mom, from Virginia, to witness her daughter as Madame Thenardier; actor Douglas Scheer; and director Bright’s sister Lei Aguiar and niece Sharon Butler from the neighbor islands. …
I went back to see the production once more and was amazed at how refined and savvy the cast had become, building on a solid foundation. Zenia and Scott Moura, wife and husband offstage and onstage as the Thenardiers, should have been included in last week’s column about family ties in the cast. Apologies. …
And Joy Abbott, the frequent Broadway visitor and widow of legendary George Abbott, glowed: "I was overwhelmed with the paramount production. The show could go on national tour." She saw a touring production in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., last spring and "Ron Bright’s production is far superior," she added. …
No wonder some folks hawked tickets on Craigslist.
And that’s "Show Biz." …
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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.
