Filming is underway for a local Jim Nabors TV special that will air on KHNL and KGMB come September. Producer-director Phil Arnone, who has made it an ongoing career to explore the lives of Hawaii-based celebrities as well as documenting beloved places, has been chatting with pals and associates of the "Gomer Pyle" TV star and veteran entertainer. Cinematographer Jeff DePonte is doing the shooting. …
Plans include footage when Nabors celebrates his 85th birthday June 12 with a bash at his Diamond Head home, since a few of Nabors’ close showbiz peers are expected to be on hand. Gollee! …
SENIOR MOMENTS: "Follies," the Jack Cione-directed spring spectacular playing for the final time at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Arcadia Retirement Residence, is an ode to senior living — and the best one yet. Lip-synching and dancing amateurs, from Arcadia and sister camp 15 Craigside, are decked outin dazzling plumed and rhinestoned costumes and display beaucoup professionalism while having a hoot. …
Millie Chun, injured last year in a Hawaii Theatre fall into the pit, is back on the horse and galloping with her cast mates. The whole shebang will be revived as "Come to the Cabaret," when the Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association troupers (along with comedian Bo Irvine and singer Randy Smith) join the "Follies" crew and continue the party at 7 p.m. May 23 at the Hawaii Theatre. Tickets: $30. Call 528-0506 or visit hbdahawaii.org. …
ALL IN THE OHANA: When Cha Thompson, Tihati Productions co-founder and a police commissioner, emceed the Hawaii Police Commission Conference on April 16 at the Outrigger Reef Hotel, her daughter, Misty Mokihana Tufono, was simultaneously emceeing the University of Hawaii Travel Industry Management School’s 15th Annual Legacy in Tourism Awards event at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Tufono is a next-generation Tihati exec and does her share of community gigs, so overlapping hostessing happens. Chris Tatum, vice president of Marriott Resorts Hawaii, was bestowed the legacy honors. …
MORE FOR MOM: Mother’s Day, May 10, is approaching, and celebration choices are mounting:
» Comedy? Augie T‘s Mother’s Day brunch show, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10 at the Manoa Grand Ballroom at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, features Na Hoku Hanohano winner Mark Yamanaka, fashions and giveaways. Tickets: $57 adults, $35 kids up to age 10, at augiet.com.
» Elvis, island style? Bill "Haupu" Burgher, the Hawaiian Elvis, performs at "Love Me Tender," a pre-Mother’s Day event, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. May 8 at the Pagoda Restaurant. Seating from 6:45 p.m. Tickets: $43 in advance, $48 at the door; military and VIP rates available. Call 235-4477.
» More laughs? Frank De Lima‘s Mother’s Day hoopla is both a brunch and a dinner, at the Pagoda’s C’est Si Bon. For brunch, doors open at 10 a.m. with show at noon; tickets: $55 adults, $25 children 3 to 10; for dinner, doors open at 5:30 p.m., with show at 7:30 p.m.; tickets: $60 adults, $30 children 3 to 10. Reservations:948-8370.
» Hawaiiana? Raiatea Helm’s upscale Mother’s Day gala May 10 at the Royal Hawaiian’s Monarch Room features Makana, the singer-guitarist; Ke‘alohilani Serrao, 2014 Miss Aloha Hula; and DeAndre Kamele Brackensick, a rising singer-uke player. Showtime is 11 a.m., with numerous seating options and prices, ranging from $95 to $175 for adults and from $47.50 to $87.50 for kids 5 to 12. Reservations: 921-4600, www.royal-hawaiian.com/dining/mothers-day. …
HULA FOR A CAUSE:The Iwalani Foundation will stage Hulathon 2015 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 1 at the Ward Warehouse Amphitheater to capitalize on hula for breast cancer awareness. With support from Na Mea Hawaii Native Books, the event will feature hula by Kanoe Cazimero and Iwalani Walsh Tseu to support the Iwalani Foundation. …
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.
