By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Makana, in a vintage kapa print-inspired jacket and milo grounding stick, took part in a pre-concert press conference with Royal Hawaiian general manager Kelly Hoen and Monarch Room maitre d’ Coronado Aquino.

The very talented, and I must add, stylish, Makana opened the Royal Hawaiian Monarch Room’s “Curators of Hawaiian Music Series” July 9, marking the return of Hawaiian music to the historic showroom after a 15-year absence.

He follows in some mighty huge footsteps as the Monarch Room has played host, since the 1970s, to performers like Ed Kenney, Marlene Sai, Emma Veary, John Rowles, Cecilio & Kapono, the Beamer Brothers and Andy Bumatai.

For the occasion, maitre d’ Coronado Aquino busted out photos of himself with the performers, and, shades of Dorian Gray, he looks just about the same now as he did 20 years ago when he posed with the Beamers!

Makana put on a wonderful show that showcased his slack-key and fusion skills, singing Hawaiian, contemporary and even a Portuguese tune, with a dash of flamenco. So amazing to watch, with a little slack-key lesson thrown in for good measure. He reeled me in showing how easy it is to get the bass notes going. Just when you start thinking, “Yeah, I can do that,” he throws in a gotcha! A rapid-fire string of arpeggios impossible to follow unless you happen to be equally brilliant. I did try that at home later. Of course in the space of his 20 notes, maybe I could fit in three. That’s why he’s on stage and I sit at a desk. Fans can also follow him at Twitter, @makanamusic

More than a fan of his music, I’m also a fan of his style. In my mind, wardrobe is a big part of the performance arts and he’s always turned out well, on the street and on stage. He’s part of a new vanguard of young performers, such as Raiatea Helm and Jordan Segundo who recognize presentation as part of the job.

Makana will be performing two hourlong concerts — 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. — each Thursday through Aug. 27, when Maunalua takes over the showroom September and October, followed by the return of Cecilio & Kapono in November and December.

Tickets for the cocktail shows are $49 ($39 kamaaina) per person with a two-drink minimum. Three-course dinner packages at Azure at the Royal Hawaiian, Beach House at the Moana Surfrider and Twist at Hanohano in the Sheraton Waikiki, are also available at $99 ($89 for kamaaina) for adults and $69 ($59 kamaaina) for kids 4 to 12. Two-drink minimum applies and is not included in the price. Call 931-4600 or visit www.royal-hawaiian.com for all the details.

BTW, I liked James H. Collins’ Associated Press photo of Makana in the NYC subway.

Kimi Matar, center, showed up with soap opera star Robert Parks-Valleta and actress Hannah Cornett, in town to prepare some of the groundwork for Robert’s Tag the World Celebrity Triathlon coming up Aug. 23.

There were dozens of celebrities in the house to support Makana, including Jimmy Borges, left, and Kimo Kahoano, pictured with, from left, Vicky Borges, Kehaulani Kam and Leilani Kupahu-Marino.

Betsey Johnson boutique manager Marilee Mattson was also there with her husband Alan Mattson, president and COO of Castle Resorts & Hotels.

Coronado Aquino with Cecilio & Kapono, before they cut their hair, and below, with Keola and Kapono Beamer.

By Nadine Kam

Paula Abdul is the latest of celebrities who have turned their material goods over to eBay for fund-raising. In this case, she’s teamed up with Auction Cause for an auction with 10 percent of proceeds helping the American Humane Association’s Pets and Women’s Shelters (PAWS) program. Benefits will also be going to Petco and the Guide Dogs of America.

The “American Idol” judge is the national spokesperson for the program, which works with domestic violence shelters to allow women to bring their pets with them.

eBay
Paula Abdul’s eBay auction includes this Viveinne Westwood black bustier with a bid of $52 as of 5 p.m., with 23 hours left for bidding.

A quick look at some of the pieces reveals that stylewise, she’s informed by the ’80s, with a love of prints, leggings and corsets. She’s also all over the map with a mix of flowy boho, trendy and structured designer pieces. The melange has the range of a Century 21 store. She also favors browns and muddy hues, and well, you know what she wears on the show and on the red carpet, some pieces available here in petite XS and size 2.

Designer items include pants, jackets, suits and dresses from the likes of Dolce and Gabbana, Pucci, Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, Zac Posen, St John, and more. Pieces are starting at 99 cents, and don’t seem to be bid up very high, typically at $26 to $56 with 23 hours left to go.

Each item won will come with a thank you letter hand signed by Paula. Listings will be added through summer, til her closet is empty. Check out www.ebay.com/paulaabdul

I probably won’t be bidding on anything, but it’s kind of fun to be a closet voyeur.

Dolce & Gabbana black lace, pink slip dress, at $81 with eight days left to go and reserve not met.

Matthew Williamson silk-wool jacket bid up to $31.01 at 5:26 p.m. July 8.

By Nadine Kam

Kristian Lei and the Honolulu Broadway Babies opened their “Broadway Fashion Rock Revue” last night at Leeward Community College, with nearly three hours of song, dance and costumes.

Songs from such musicals as “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “West Side Story,” “Miss Saigon,” “Mamma Mia,” The Beatles’ “Love,” “A Chorus Line,” and much more were presented, tied together with the idea of the singers preparing for the show with visits to the 2Couture studio of Takeo and Eric Chandler.

Some highlights included Yvette Umi Suaava performing the Jennifer Hudson star-maker “And I Am Telling You” from “Dreamgirls,” young Haley Kagimoto and a youth ensemble performing “Let Me Entertain You,” from “Gypsy,” and Pamela Young joining the youth ensemble for “The Hard Knock Life” from “Annie.”

I hear actors are told never to share a scene with kids or animals because they’ll always steal the show, but Young — a dancer in a past life — has a lot of stage presence and is quite the scene stealer herself, as you’ll see in the accompanying video.

This being “community” theater in every sense of the word, in addition to the hundreds on stage, there were hundreds more behind the scenes, from choreographers to marketers and costume assistants. Advertisers also played a big part in the show going on, so segments are interspersed with advertising skits that could have been annoying, but somehow, they made it work, especially a funny segment involving Menehune Water.

You can still catch performances at 7:30 p.m. today and tomorrow, with tickets running $26, $36, $46 and $56 general; $15 for 12 and younger. Call 953-5788 or visit www.honolulubroadwaybabies.com.

The event is a fundraiser toward building a school for the developmentally disabled, inspired by Kristian’s brother Joshua Hegwood, who has cerebral palsy. Her program is a gift to the community as well, offering a rare public showcase for young performers. In the age of “So You Think You Can Dance” I have to admit feeling some pain in seeing a ragged line, but the only way to grow is through practice, being reviewed, viewing resulting videotapes and improving on one’s last performance. The youth ensemble’s efforts now should pay off in five to eight years. Who knows who we’ll be seeing on “American Idol” or “SYTYCD” in a few years?

Speaking of “So You Think You Can Dance,” Hawaii’s Kupono Aweau made it into the Season 5 top 20 after the grueling preliminaries. Watch for the 23-year-old Kamehameha Schools graduate next Wednesday night.

And tune in to the Tony Awards broadcast at 7 p.m. Sunday night on KGMB/CBS for more of a taste of Broadway.

But wait, there’s more! Just got word that Kahala Theatres will be opening “Every Little Step” next Friday July 31. The documentary takes a look behind the scenes of the auditions for 2006 revival of “A Chorus Line,” following 17 actors auditioning for spots, including Hawaii’s Jason Tam, shown above and below at the front of the chorus line.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
When in Vegas, look for me at the nearest craps table. This one, however, was at Bonsai Restaurantat Restaurant Row Sunday night, part of the Dental Samaritans “Denim & Diamonds” fundraiser. I don’t think they’d allow a photo like this in Vegas.

Bonsai restaurant was transformed into a casino for the Denim & Diamonds fundraiser, Casino Heaven, on Sunday night. The annual event benefits the Hawaii Dental Association Dental Samaritans, a group that aims to fill unmet dental needs through outreach programs such as Give Kids a Smile, and educational and dental clinics like the Aloha Medical Mission Dental facility.

Thanks to Flash and Matty Productions and countless sponsors and supporters, there was plenty going on, from a silent auction to music by Anita Hall and the New Jass Quartet, to a little burlesque by Violetta Baretta of the Cherry Blossom Cabaret, to a fashion show by Bamboo Sky, and boutiques featuring Jade by Nikolai, Bamboo Sky and So Good Jewelry.

And of course there was food. Bonsai’s Luscious Bites menu lived up to the bill with pupu-style spicy tempura sushi, ichimi scallops, chicken karaage, garlic shrimp and teppanyaki sirloin with onions, bell peppers and mushrooms. Those who purchased VIP tickets also enjoyed crab cakes and ahi carpaccio.\

Casino bucks!

Guests paid $100 to a high-roller $400 for the privilege of gambling in Hawaii for one night. Don’t worry, it was all play money. I’d wager that most of the people at the gamling tables upstairs had no idea most of the other activities were going on. Just as in Vegas, the games were all-engrossing and there was just as much enthusiasm tossing the play money here as the real thing in Vegas.

Well, I’m kind of addicted to craps, so when I saw an open space at a table upstairs, I figured I’d slip in and practice various theories of hedging. But, it didn’t really work out. By the time I got there, the table was fairly unlucky, with everyone crapping out after about three rolls of the dice.

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By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
The Broadway Babies special guests, from left, Brian Caplan, Marc Dalio, Jay Pierce, and Christina Caplan, front, were welcomed by show organizer Kristian Lei, Eric Chandler, Takeo and singer Anita Hall.

Designers Takeo and Eric Chandler and Kristian Lei’s Broadway Babies hosted a fundraiser at the designers’ 2Couture studio May 30. The event brought together local performers, as well as visiting guest stars Brian and Christina Caplan, Marc Dalio and Jay Pierce for a night of food, wine and song.

The event offered a preview of costumes and music the Broadway Fashion Rock Revue taking place 7:30 p.m. June 4 to 6 at the Leeward Community College Theatre. The events will raise funds to construct a school for the developmentally disabled, a project Kristian undertook with inspiration from her brother Joshua Earl T. Hegwood, who, on party day had won three medals at the Special Olympics.

Here are videos of the Broadway Babies performing “Season of Love” from “Rent,” and Kristian singing “A New Life” from “Jekyll and Hyde.” If you want to catch the shows, tickets are $26, $36, $46 and $56 general, and $15 for ages 12 and younger. Call the box office at 953-5788 or visit www.honolulubroadwaybabies.com

Party guests were able to examine some of the show’s costumes.

Kristian Lei with Aureana Tseu, who’ll be performing a hula with her mom Iwalani Tseu.

Pamela Young will be dancing in this costume.

Iwalani Tseu accessorized with an abalone shell. It can’t be pinned so it’s held in place with combs inside the shell.

Don Brown, left, with Edgy Lee and Johann Bouit.

By Nadine Kam

Fox photos
Adam Lambert, left, meets his unlikely match, Kris Allen, in a few hours on “American Idol.”

“American Idol” is not just a contest of vocal ability, but also of musical style which this season went hand in hand with dress style as well.

Adam Lambert was a shoo-in from the beginning, winning over screaming adolescents and the judges, which made me think Simon really should retire after this season. After a couple of weeks, I expected the other judges to continue gushing over Adam, while waiting for Simon to provide the voice of reason. I expected him to tell song butcher Adam — like every other contestant who did the same — not to mistake screaming for singing, but he didn’t. It seemed that he had caved to the inevitable, that Adam was going to make it to the finals, no matter how hard he taunted those with pitch-perfect hearing with his over-the-top wailing.

His style — a caricature combo of punk, Goth, glam, rock and Hot Topic chic — likely speaks to those who either missed the ’80s, or want to relive the ’80s.

On the other hand, you have the very laidback troubadour Kris Allen, so low-key in denim and T-shirts, that most viewers regarded him as an invisible man all season.

I thought he was good, but others like Matt Giraud had better stage savvy, and Allison Iraheta, had stronger vocals. It wasn’t until he sang “Falling Slowly” that I really started hoping he made it into the finals. Listen up here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0LISmz8WVc

It was a longshot, but he’s actually there! Fans on YouTube are banking on Danny Gokey fans being so anti-Adam that they’ll give Kris their vote, which got my hopes up again, but they could drop out of voting altogether. Then, you have to remember the battle of the Davids last year. It looked like David Archuleta was the shoo-in there.

So we’ll see, but there could not be two more polar opposites left standing in the end.

By Nadine Kam

Photo courtesy Phillip and Susan Lauer
From left, Blue, Bono and Roxy model parkas with decorative buckles stitched up by Susan Lauer of Pupstar Sonoma. The photo won the family third place in a contest at www.valentinomovie.com

As far as some dog owners are concerned, Valentino’s pugs stole the show in the film “Valentino: The Last Emperor,” still playing at Kahala Theatres.

Winners were recently named in the movie Web sit’s Pug-o-Vision contest, and the third place finishers happen to have Hawaii ties. Susan and Phillip Lauer started a small clothing company for dogs, Pupstar Sonoma, after Susan’s designs got the attention of other dog owners in Northern California. Before they moved to Hawaii, Phillip worked at Crazy Shirts, and Susan, a University of Hawaii fashion graduate worked throughout in the fashion industry, continuing to do pattern making and grading for a local company after the move.

Here’s my story in today’s print edition: http://www.hsblinks.com/a2

Also, today, some tips from the book “How Not to Look Old.” http://www.hsblinks.com/a3

By Nadine Kam

“Valentino: The Last Emperor” photos
Valentino is surrounded by models in his signature red, and his pugs.

We are doubly blessed this month to be able to see the film, “Valentino: The Last Emperor,” playing at Kahala Theatres, followed by a trip to the Chanel Waikiki boutique to get a taste of the rarified world of haute couture, as depicted in the movie, on vivid display.

Chanel will be bringing in its Métiers d’Art Collection 2009, “Paris Moscow,” for a special exhibition May 9 through June 6. (Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld makes an appearance in the “Valentino” film, toward its end.) I’ll have more information about the show, as well as images from the collection in Thursday’s paper, but for now, Valentino.

Anyone with the slightest interest in fashion MUST see this film, by Matt Tyrnauer. I saw it on Friday night, during a benefit screening presented by the Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation, also held in advance of the organization’s 20th annual Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival, running May 21 to 24.

The film is funny and sad, with all the elements of great drama, including a quixotic protaganist, villains in the form of business execs and financiers, and tragedy in light of market forces and changing of the guard, leading to the end of the era in which Valentino thrived.

Beyond surface beauty, there are dozens of hands involved in constructing these garments by hand, with skills above and beyond what most people will ever be exposed to, because what most of us see is the ready-to-wear. By film’s end, one reviewer still couldn’t separate haute couture from L.L. Bean. That’s so sad. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
At Kawaii Kon Saturday, Monchalee Steiger is Kanu Unchou.

If I return to Kawaii Kon next year, I gotta get myself a costume. Walking among those dressed as their favorite characters, it felt strange to be walking around in mainstream clothes. No. 1 rule of fashion after all, is to dress to the occasion, or bring it, in your own unique way of course.

I cover so many fashion stories, but it’s hard to parachute into the anime/manga/cosplay/Lolita worlds because they have a language and depth all their own, which can’t be learned in a couple of days. I tried to get it right.

Bryce Saito, left, is Suzaku from “Code Geass.”

Look around and you’ll always find drama at Kawaii Kon.

Christian Martin in character as M. Bison, from “Street Fighter.”

Yes there are human beings in there. Won Park, left, and Danielle Tubania are Transformers.

Capturing the moment.

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By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
The owners, from left, Ed Robles, Daniel Dae Kam, Pablo Buckingham and DK Kodama.

The Counter celebrated its grand opening with a party Saturday night that included the red-carpet (that was actually blue) arrivals of “Lost” castmates of Daniel Dae Kim, a co-owner in the endeavor with DK Kodama, Ed Robles and Pablo Buckingham, all there to make sure guests had their fill of mini Counter burgers plus sushi and more grinds from DK’s other restaurant, Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar.

Currently the most buzzed-about restaurant in town, The Counter has been open a month and is already the top-performing franchise in the country. Popularity still has its drawbacks as I keep hearing about hourlong waits, but, like I said in my review, the solution is to go at off-peak hours, like 3 p.m., making it one of those rare places where people are willing to make accomodations rather than be accommodated. When does that ever happen?

From left, Beth Shady, Jorge Garcia, Hannah Cornett and pro surfer turned actress Keala Kennelly.

The space is rather small for a party of the magnitude of Saturday’s event, so people flowed in and out for air. It was probably just as much fun outside with the paparazzi as inside, because the celebs were in a good mood and willing to do just about anything for the cameras, whether stuff their faces or ham it up with mock interviews.

Oh, and the burgers were truly yummy!

I left before Josh Holloway got there, but you can see photos of him at photographer Jeannemarie Viggiano’s Web site blog. She’s in many of the photos, and yours truly is in one of them. (more…)