Pianist Kit Samson is rebooting his Sound Advice group, which has roots dating back to the Kahala Hilton era. The reunion will feature his former lead singer, Connie Kissinger, who now divides her time between Honolulu (her mom lives here) and Texas (where she and her doctor husband have relocated from New York). Samson, just back from a three-week visit to the Philippines with his recent health challenges under control, ischarged up to get back in the mainstream. "So happy to have Connie on board," he said of the Waikiki veteran.
The catalyst for the relaunch is Kapiolani Community College’s Ho‘okipa 2012, organized by chef Kelvin Ro and taking place Friday at the Royal Hawaiian’s Monarch Room. It’s a benefit for the culinary school and hospitality and tourism programs at KCC, where scores of island kitchen wizards had their training. Guest chef will be Nobu’s Robin Lee.
The Sound Advice reunites Samson with his longtime drummer, Butch Nicolas, along with singer-bassist Alfredo Romero, one-time Society of Seven regular, and saxophonist-flutist Aaron Aranita. …
OSCAR PICKS: With the Academy Awards, unfolding at 7:30 p.m. on ABC (KITV), comes the ritual of predicting of key winners. Here’s how I see ’em; for an expanded version, visit my Show and Tell Hawaii blog:
» Best picture — Will win: "The Artist"; my pick: "The Descendants"
» Best actress — Will win/my pick: Viola Davis, "The Help"
» Best actor — Will win: Jean Dujardin,"The Artist"; my pick: George Clooney, "The Descendants"
» Supporting actress — Will win/my pick: Octavia Spencer, "The Help"
» Supporting actor — Will win/my pick: Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"
» Best director — Will win: Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"; my pick: Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"
I’m also picking Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash to win a statuette for their best adapted screenplay of "The Descendants."
THE NAME GAME: Though winless in the recent Grammy Awards, local boy Bruno Mars copped the international male solo artist trophy at the BRIT Awards last week, telling Brits his second album is due to drop shortly. Mars has committed to collaborate with Adam Lambert on the "American Idol" finalist’s next CD, delaying the "Trespassing" disc untilMay or April. …
Jack and Cha Thompson, founders of the Tihati shows in Hawaii, will be feted by Starwood’s Keith Vieira Tuesday, marking their 30th year as partners andlegacy performers at the Sheraton chain. Tihati’s centerpiece shows are at the Princess Kaiulani and Royal Hawaiian hotels. …
With Glen Larson, the TV producer and former Four Preps singer visiting, Robin Mann invited pals Tom Moffatt, Audy Kimura and Makana to her Hawaii Kai home for a party. …
THE LOCAL ANGLE: Bobby Foley, Punahou class of 2006 and Yale University 2010, is winding up his role of Odysseus in "These Seven Sicknesses," a play by Sean Graney extended twice through today, at New York’s Flea Theater. The production, a five-hour reimagining of Sophocles’ seven plays, is a critics’ pick and has had enthusiastic support from two "Avatar" stars, Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang. Of course, Weaver is the spouse of the Flea’s founder-artistic director, Jim Simpson, also a Punahou grad. Bobby’s been in the Big Apple since May 2010 andhas volunteered with the Asian American Performers Action Coalition, according to proud mom Carlyn Tani. …
Aiea native Stacy Luke, now a mechanical engineer in Torrance, Calif., won $27,750 on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" on Wednesday, half of her $55,500 accumulated winnings. …
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.
