The late Jimmy Borges, the beloved Gentleman of Jazz, and Kirk Matthews, the popular broadcast journalist who died last summer, will be among the 2017 Hall of Heroes honorees when Hospice Hawaii’s Na Hoa Malama fundraiser is staged from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Waialae Country Club.
The event celebrates the community leaders who provided inspiration in Hospice Hawaii’s mission of hope, care and comfort during life’s most difficult times.
Borges, a lifelong jazz entertainer who was diagnosed with terminal lung and liver cancer in 2014 and died two years later, never let his illness diminish his career. Matthews, a career broadcaster, was an advocate for public education and promoted volunteerism in public schools.
Two others will be applauded: Irmgard Hormann, founder of Hawaii Meals on Wheels in 1970 and a lifetime advocate for social services who died Oct. 9, and youngster Grayson Gouveia, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, and died Jan. 22, 2016, at the age of 5.
Further, Percy Ihara, publisher-editor of Generations Magazine, will be recognized as Community Supporter of the Year; Dr. Serena Lo, a Kaiser Permanente geriatric specialist, will be honored as Healthcare Professional of the Year; and STAT Medical Inc. will be toasted as Healthcare Organization of the Year.
Info: Debbie Lee at 791-8075 or dlee@hospicehawaii.org. …
SWOONSVILLE
Randy Smith’s “An Evening With the Music of Sinatra” is a nostalgic journey through Ol’ Blue Eyes’ music.
Smith is a Frank Sinatra connoisseur with impeccable phrasing and delivery; his notes soar and float from his mouth to your ears. It’s nostalgia at its best — to borrow a word from the past, it’s swoonsville.
Using recorded tracks, Smith’s debut at Medici’s at Manoa Marketplace was a sellout Aug. 10, but a hana hou is set for Sept. 14. Every tune is a signature: “I’ve Got the World on a String,” “Luck Be a Lady Tonight,” “That’s Life,” “My Kind of Town,” “Come Fly With Me,” “New York, New York,” “My Way.” No “Stranger in the Night,” but no matter. Tickets: 351-0901, musicatmedicis.tix.com. …
DATEBOOK
>> Jazz funfest: “Sunset Jazz 2017,” from 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at La Pietra’s Great Lawn, pays tribute to the eminent Ella Fitzgerald. Shari Lynn and the Sunset Jazz All-Stars will salute the iconic jazz singer, with Danny Couch a guest star. Presale VIP tables with premium seating for eight are $2,500 ($3,000 after Aug. 31), premium seating tables are $1,000 ($1,500) and individual tickets are $55 ($70). Info: lapietra.edu/giving/sunset-jazz. …
>> Burt’s best: The prolific Burt Bacharach performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 12-15 at Blue Note Hawaii at the Outrigger Waikiki resort. Your lips will be moving as you quietly sing along to all his greatest hits. Tickets: $150, $125, $95. Info: 777-4890, www.bluenotehawaii.com. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran Honolulu entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or email wayneharada@gmail.com.
