Category: Show Biz

Guess who’s coming to Hawaii in the weeks/months ahead to do a crossover episode with “NCIS: Hawai‘i.”  It’s Kensi Blye, from the sister show “NCIS: Los Angeles.”

Kensi, portrayed by Daniela Ruah, in the California-based installation of the CBS franchise show, is rumored to be heading to our shores to join Vanessa Lachey as Jane Tennant, in the newbie NCIS project.

The guest appearance will be somewhat historic, since the Hawaiian NCIS show – the third spinoff – also is the first outside of the continental U.S.A. and the first unit led by a woman, played by Lachey.

The visit will be Kensi/Ruah’s second crossover since she earlier made it to the islands to guest-star in 2011 in an episode of the CBS series “Hawaii Five-0,” joining Alex O’Loughlin as Steve McGarrett in that franchise’s island reboot, though not the same brand, so to speak.

Agent Kensi will join the follow investigators of Pearl Harbor, portrayed by Yasmine Al-Bustami, Jason Antoon and Noah Mills. …

For Silk Sonic, grease is the word

Silk Sonic, the group comprising Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, has decided to delay its anticipated first-album, “Evening With Silk Sonic,” which had been anticipated this fall. Instead, Mars and .Paak have stalled the release date to  January, 2020, according to Rolling Stone.

With two first singles – “Leave the Door Open” and “Skate” – hitting the charts, Silk Sonic could have at least two, perhaps more – pre-CD single releases before the  album is available.

“I don’t want to be binge-watched,” Mars declared in a statement. “We’re really in touch-up mode now. We’ve got the bones of most of the album, so it’s really about touch up parts that need a little more … grease.”

So: grease is the word, and we have to wait till whenever. …

Foreverly brotherly

The death Saturday (Aug. 21) of Don Everly, one half of the Everly Brothers, triggered early memories of the duo’s country-pop sound and hits. Phil preceded Don in death, so an era ends, but appreciation and hurrahs will live on, including questions why they eventually broke up.

The Everlys were a pioneering brother act with a hypnotic harmonic blend of voices and clearly a bro-brand of their time. If it weren’t for the Everlys, wonder if there might not have been a Righteous Brothers (who weren’t really bros) or the Jonas Brothers (who are siblings).

I recall watching in awe, when the Everlys were among a bunch of 50s and 60s acts peppering the charts with a fresh sound, performing in the quaint Civic Auditorium, back in the day when the Blaisdell Center and Waikiki Shell were not yet even in the planning stages.

Promoter Tom Moffatt , a visionary who was the one who presented a series of Show of Stars, included the Everly Bros. in one the early parade of popsters to the islands.

Who can forget the cluster of hits the Everlys created, notably “Wake Up Little Suzy,” “Bye, Bye Love” and a Hawaii favorite, “All I Have to do Is Dream.” I even remember their maroon-grey Cadence record label. Foreverly formidable. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

The talk on CBS’ “The Talk” is that Carrie Ann Inaba will walk.

Inaba, who replaced original co-host JulIe Chen Moonves in 2018, is departing the CBS talk show after 2 ½ years.

Inaba, who is from Hawaii, has been on leave since April. Her exit means there will be further turnover, since Sharon Obsbourne walked – or was forced to depart — because of an on-air confrontation got out of control when she supported fellow Brit broadcaster Piers Morgan several months ago. Osbourne was replaced by Jerry O’Connell, the show’s first male member.

Inaba’s successor has not been named.

“I enjoyed my time at The Talk as co-host and moderator and I am grateful for the opportunity I had to grow with the entire Talk family Inas well as truly connect with viewers on such a personal level,” said Inaba. “I will miss The Talk, but I am excited for the next chapter both for myself and for the show.”

Inaba cemented her popularity and credibility when she was one of the judges on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.” Unbeknown to most, dance has been part of her life, and as one of the Fly Girls in Fox’s “In Living Color,” she started her TV portfolio.

She is a Punahou graduate who won a talent and parlayed the laurels with some creds in Japan, groomed as pop star and learning to sing in Nihongo phonetically with a lyric sheet.

Surely, her hiatus will be short – she’s always in demand. …

KoDee Martin lands 2nd Bard role

After 200-plus auditioners and the usual round of callbacks, Hawaii actor KoDee Martin scored his second Shakespearean role in New York. In a Facebook post, Martin said he will portray Lucius in The Bard’s “Titus Andronicus,” with the Belladdnna Shakespeare Company. “I couldn’t be happier,” he said to his FB followers. “And what better time of the year than on the weekend of All Hallows’ Eve.” Trick or treat, anyone?

Martin made his New York acting debut when he earlier played Ferdinand in “Love’s Labour’s Lost.”…

And that’s Show Biz. …

Maggie Q, the actress from Hawaii, portrays the title figure in “The Protege,” opening in theaters today. (Aug. 20) She is earning first-tier billing in the cast, which also stars Michael Keaton and Samuel L. Jackson, among others.

Q’s character Anna was a child in Vietnam and rescued by professional hit man Moody (Jackson), who becomes her compadre in the lucrative killing game.  Anna operates an antiquarian bookshop in London, frequented by customer Rembrandt (Keaton) who spouts Poe from books she retrieves from the shelves.

The Martin Campbell-directed film opens today in theaters only; it’s not among the fare destined for Netflix or HBO Max. …

Willy wows ‘em

Glad to hear that ex-Honolulan Willy Falk finally has been able to show off his pipes in New York, after a 17-month drought due to the pandemic. A Tony nominee for playing Chris in the original “Miss Saigon” on Broadway, Falk was one of a bevy of Big Apple troupers in Scott Seigel’s “Broadway Greatest Hits,”staged recently at Feinstein’s/54 Below. Marilyn Lester’s review, at www.nitelifeexchange.com, called Falk “a very bright Broadway light, (who) gave a 200-watt performance…He has a honey-smooth vocal tone and a terrific range.” Falk delivered  his signature “Saigon” tune, “ “Why God, Why?,” plus “Corner of the Sky,” the anthem from “Pippin,” and “he’s never sounded better.”

Falk, a Punahou alum, has been a Blue Note Hawaii regular and is in rehearsal mode for performances aboard a Disney cruise, not yet announced. …’

No live, only virtual Hoku evening

Because of mounting health concerns, including the surge of coronavirus cases, the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts has tweaked its 44^th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards and has canceled its live-with-audience event set for Sept. 11.

Instead,  a combination of taped and virtual festivities will be staged, with HARA bowing to state guidelines and protocols to proceed minus a live audience.

The theme, “Ho ‘la Hou – A New Awakening,” will be retained, with the televised show set to air Oct. 7 on KFVE.

Award winners will be have to submit brief acceptance speeches which will be incorporated into the final program. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

Since the pandemic lockdown of 2020, much has happened to Streetlight Cadence. The music foursome whose artistry has Hawaiian roots will be back onstage this week for a gig at Blue Note Hawaii (6:30 and 9 p.m. Saturday Aug. 21).

For starters: After a six-year residency in Los Angeles, they’ve split – that is to say, two of the guys (Jesse Shiroma, accordionist, and Brian Webb, cellist) now live in Honolulu, while the other two (Ben Chai, guitarist and drummer, in Houston, and Jonathon Franklin, violinist, in Los Angeles) now are mainlanders.

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“COVID-19 changed everything,” said Franklin. “For the first time in our history, we didn’t have any gigs. Our tours were cancelled, our income was gone, and we decided to spend our time closer to our families. We’re at a point in our career that the tours – when they happen again –fly us all in from all over the country. This tour back to Oahu is hopefully the restart of all that we have been missing.”

“We made a lot of friends and really had some awesome experiences in L.A.,” said Chai. “But the pandemic gave us some time to think about how we would grow in the future – and geographically, it helps to have multiple home bases when you’re mostly touring.”

We conducted an email interview with Franklin and Chai, and curiously but not surprisingly, the ongoing coronavirus issues have influenced and altered the way the Streetlighters operate and survive, the pair said. On a grand scale, the multi-city residency format is a combination of social distancing and virtual planning, which has some pros and some cons.

Indeed, the cadence has changed for the combo that brought delight and joy to early fans that enjoyed their street harmonies. Hence, the Streetlight Cadence name.

“There’s clearly some advantages and disadvantages to working remotely,” said Franklin. “There’s more planning and organization required, but it has given us a new level of freedom and technical proficiency in production and recording since that is the only way to communicate our new music ideas while we’re apart.”

Said Chai:“We’ve always been pretty good at delegating, and honestly it just makes it so much nicer when we do get to be together in the same room.”

The splintered residency also meant that Streetlight Cadence – and its alt-folk-pop musical strokes – had to modify and enlarge plans with expansive traveling and tours.

“We are aiming bigger than ever,” said Franklin. “Before, we could all drive to 90 per cent of our gigs in L.A. Now every gig needs to justify flying at least half of us across the ocean. Bigger shows, bigger events, bigger tours and tighter schedules are the new way to play. So we’re going big.”

The template to relaunch includes a new booking agent, Ed Keane and Associates, with visions of jumpstarting performances at festivals, performing arts centers and nightclubs when the marketplace welcomes back such activities.

Of course, the plan mandates prioritizing and focusing. “We’re now more focused than ever on creating a solid and spectacular experience for anyone who comes to our shows,” said Chai. “If you buy a ticket to see us, you deserve a great concert. We make the most of our time together, and work during our time apart to ensure the best use of that time.”

Other Streetlight thoughts:

• Health concerns govern how they do their gigs.”We are all hyper health-conscious these days,” said Franklin. “Our health and the health of our fans take priority over us performing live; when there’s a chance (to perform with health protocols), we jump at the opportunity.”
• Down time activities – “Ben’s learning the banjo,” said Franklin. “Brian is starting a solo project. And I’ve been on an extended surf trip up the West Coast.” Said Chai: “Jesse’s really dived deep into the world of vinyl, and his musical knowledge and depth really just amazes me,”
• Family ties – “Ben had his second child during the pandemic,” said Franklin. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have support at home and we’re looking forward to traveling with new members of the band.” Said Chai: “I did have a second child haha! Our families really hold down the fort when we’re on the road – but I can’t wait to have a ‘family bus’ come with us someday!”
• Less is more – With roots in busking, here and elsewhere, Streetlight Cadence has reduced but not eliminated street singing. “Street performing is now just something we do for fun to connect with our fans or for our own nostalgia,” said Franklin. “I will say I saw a street performer a few weeks ago, and I was overwhelmed with emotion. I’m gonna guess there are many who miss live music as much as I do.”

And that’s Show Biz. …