John Rowles, the New Zealand-based singer who was a major Waikiki attraction in the 1970s, will make his first return appearance, headlining with the Elvis Presley TCB Band, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.
"I’m thrilled to be playing back in Hawaii," he says. "It feels like I’m coming home."
Rowles rocketed to fame with his "Cheryl Moana Marie" hit, headlining such venues as Duke Kahanamoku’s in the International Market Place and the iconic Pink Palace of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, where he fronted a popular nightclub show in the flagship Monarch Room.
He resided in a Hawaii Kai condominium during his heyday three decades ago and was known as a crooner with sexual magnetism akin to Elvis Presley, Engelbert Humperdink and Tom Jones.
A 2009 attempt to renew his island ties faltered, but this time it’s going to happen, says promoter Simon Kemp-Roberts of Living Legends Live. The concert pairs Rowles with the musical support of the Presley TCB Band (dubbed after The King’s favorite slogan, "Taking Care of Business") featuring three original bandsmen: James Burton (guitar), Ronnie Tutt (drums), and Glen D. Hardin (piano) joined by Norbert "Put" Putnam (bass). A musical conductor on keyboards and backup singers will complete the traveling crew.
The gig will be an "out of town" opening preceding the Kiwi trouper’s upcoming New Zealand fall tour and Australian shows next year. The Hawaii return also is a homecoming, since Rowles as well as the TCB band previously performed here, the latter in The King’s historic 1972 "Aloha From Hawaii" satellite-live concert beamed from the then-named Honolulu International Center (now Blaisdell Center) to a global audience estimated at more than 1 billion.
Tickets: $95, $85, $65 and $40, with $195 VIP prime seats and a rehearsal visit, a T-shirt and a signed poster; on sale at www.ticketmaster.com, the Blaisdell box office and Walmart locations. Charge by phone: 800-745-3000. …
NAMES ‘N’ FACES: Filmmaker Christopher Bright‘s short film, "Tsuru," has been acquired by the Orlando Film Festival, Oct. 22-26. The San Jose International Short Film Festival Oct. 9-12 was the first to tap the film dealing with World War II internment issues, a work bypassed by the Hawaii International Film Festival. …
At Paliku Theatre, "Hairspray" is attracting full houses, so the Baltimore-based period musical exploring prejudices of all kinds has been extended, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 and 18 and 4 p.m. Oct. 19. If there is a need, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday performances may be added. Call 235-7310. …
Pomai Lopez, as plus-sized Tracy Turnblad, is spot-on as the outsider wanting in, but Johnny Reed (as Edna, her in-drag mom) and Len Villanueva (as Wilbur, her dad), are the ones delivering delish and frothy fun, with unexpected ad libs including one jab about Dad’s Filipino heritage. And Caitlin Bright, granddaughter of director Ron Bright, is one of several youngsters debuting on the Paliku stage, thrilled to be mentored by Poppa. …
HERE ‘N’ THERE: It’s official: ManoaDNA musician Alx Kawakami has popped the question to longtime girlfriend Sarah Kamalei Noyle, with a Facebook posting. Just in time as he juggles his life with his impending relocation to Los Angeles, where he intends to explore recording options. …
The Hot Club of Hulaville, normally adhering to jazz, gypsy jazz and Hawaiian swing, will take a folk-pop detour with "Dylanesque," a tribute to singer-composer Bob Dylan, circa 1963, at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Manoa Valley Theatre. The show recalls the ’60s beatnik era of New York’s Greenwich Village coffeehouse anchored by Dylan’s landmark songs, so patrons are encouraged to don their best hippie gear and attitude. Tickets: $30 general, $25 MVT season subscribers, $20 for those age 20 and younger. Go to www.manoavalleytheatre.com. …
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.
