Jazz singer Jimmy Borges, 80, who has decided to forgo treatment for advanced lung cancer, will be feted in a dinner-show gala, “For the Love of Jimmy,” from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Westin Moana Surfrider resort’s Banyan Court. It will be a fundraiser for a music scholarship bearing Borges’ name.
While he wants to perform a set, the evening instead will feature such stellar artists as Lucie Arnaz, Willie K, Melveen Leed and Taimane Gardner.
Pianist Betty Loo Taylor, the prevailing jazz singer’s longtime accompanist, will take the stage, too.
“We all adore Jimmy and he wants to sing, too, but we are saluting him to show how much we love him,” said Cha Thompson, who is partnering with Kyo-ya Vice President Vic Kimura in presenting the event. “But perhaps we’ll schedule him for one song.”
Prior to the holidays, Thompson had amassed $20,000 in commitments from corporate tables at $5,000 to $2,500, dinner included. “We hope to reach our goal of $50,000,” she said. Individual seats are $200 dinner not inclluded; reserve meals at Beachhouse. Call 923-2828.
Proceeds will benefit the Jimmy Borges Scholarship Foundation, established at the University of Hawaii via the UH Foundation to fulfill the singer’s dream and provide a legacy to cap his formidable 60-year career.
The illness has limited his performances but not his activities:
>> Borges was a surprise halftime honoree at the UH Rainbow Warriors’ basketball game Wednesday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.
>> He was offered a “Hawaii Five-0” speaking role, which he filmed Friday. “I play an implant doctor, Dr. Yang, with three pages of script,” Borges said. “I’m doing this because there are residuals.”
>> He is the focus of an untitled bio-documentary, coordinated by veteran TV director Phil Arnone and writer Robert Pennybacker, destined to be a future Hawaii News Now special. Air date is not yet set, but Arnone already is assembling longtime friends, colleagues and scenesters to reflect on Borges’ music and life.
>> A public-television special, “Jimmy Borges: Faced It All,” in which about 50 donors and supporters were treated to a command performance at PBS Hawaii, will air at 8 p.m. Jan. 21. Donors contributed $300,000 toward the scholarship fund bearing his name, open to needy island students seeking a career in vocal music. To contribute, email Malia Peters at malia.peters@uhfoundation.org. …
NIGHT WATCH: Two celebs from opposite poles of the entertainment universe landed at Sansei Seafood Restaurant &Sushi Bar in Kihei, Maui, New Year’s weekend. William Shatner and Alice Cooper got their sushi fix at different tables, but wouldn’t it have been a kick if they shared the same table? Shatner was appearing at the Maui Celebrity Series at the Sheraton Maui in Kaanapali; Cooper is a part-time resident. …
Cheryl Wills, a founding staff member and anchor of NY1, Time Warner Cable’s 24/7 news station in New York, and her family (husband John Singleton and their son John III), were hosted by Adrian Kamalii, a Honolulu pal, at the Halekulani’s House Without a Key recently, joined by photog Michi Moore.
Halekulani entertainers Doug Tolentino, Nick Masagatani and Jeff Au Hoy and hula stylist Skylar Kamaka dedicated a song to Wills, who will be covering the New York June arrival of the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s Hokule‘a, now on a global journey. …
WHO’S NEWS: Congrats to Jordan Segundo, Hawaii’s first “American Idol” contestant, who is jumping ship from KHON2, the Fox affiliate where he has done “A.I.” commentary, to KITV4, where Segundo will be a weekend weather anchor and weekday reporter. “Idol’s” current season is the final one. …
With tunes revolving around a “freedom” theme, Ron Artis II will perform in a Music of Hawaii event at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Admission: $20 for museum members, $25 for others. …
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.
