SCOOP DU JOUR: Big-screen icon Elizabeth Taylor was ensconced at the Kahala Resort — but pretty much under the radar. She arrived midweek as part of a two-limo party, cuasing a buzz, and was whisked away in a wheelchair.

Taylor's party was hosted at a lu'au at the oceanfront Cabanas by Jason Winters and Eric Sterling, who represent Kathy Ireland World Wide. Joe Recca and Kimo Kahoano (plus Polynesian performers, including fire-knife dancers) entertained.

... Director Bryan Singer ("Superman Returns," "X-Men," "X2") dined at George Mavrothalassitis' Chef Mavro restaurant and raved about the Kobe-style beef from Idaho's Snake River Farms. Singer judged it even better than the Kobe beef he tasted on a recent Japan trip. Then again, the rest of this Mavro hit contributes to the delicious factor: red beet-shallot fricassee with horseradish foam, fried white polenta, Sumida Farm watercress, sauce poivrade. ...

Nothing quite like a great stogie after a great dinner. So says Maui chef James McDonald, who recently cooked for and then enjoyed a cigar with comedian Chris Rock, Dallas Mavericks g.m. and head coach Don Nelson and Carolina Panthers Quarterback Rodney Peete. ...

COMEDY CUES: Last week ex-Honolulu stand-up Paul Ogata was the Featured Artist of the Week MySpace.com. He's doing shows this week in Orange County, Calif., traipses to San Francisco's Punch Line next week, and should be "home" in Hawai'i late September and early November, when he appears Sept. 29 at the Maui County Fair. A Kona gig looms, too. On tours, Ogata divulges, fans always ask, "Hey, do you know Andy Bumatai?" ...

When Augie T. appeared at the Esprit lounge at the Sheraton Waikiki last week, in the audience was boxer Marvelous Marvin Hagler, the middleweight champ. Augie's Palace Theatre gig in Hilo was a sellout, meaning $4,000 was raised for his charitable work. His biggie — Tuesday's live-for-DVD-release endeavor at the Farrington High School auditorium — should be in stores in a few months. ...

Mel Cabang reflects on high school daze at " '70s Dance Party — Get Ready," from 8 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Renaissance Ilikai's Pacific Ballroom. King Pins, Flashack and Shining Star play oldies rock. Tickets are $30; call 944-6372. ...

TRADE WINDS: Ballerina Amanda Schull, a Hawaii State Ballet student who became an apprentice in 1999 at the San Francisco Ballet, has retired from the S.F. company at the conclusion of the 2006 repertory season. Schull, a corps de ballet member since 2000, had a seven-year run. Her most notable ballet achievement was as the lead in Nicholas Hytner's "Center Stage" ballet film. ...

With heightened airport security, actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa decided to skip a plane ride and instead drove 275 miles from Los Angeles to be ringside with local boxer Brian Viloria in Las Vegas. Took him three hours, but he made it — and, alas, Viloria (who got martial-arts advice from Tagawa) lost his crown to Omar Nino. ...

DATEBOOK DOINGS: Kanoe Cazimero, twin of Roland Cazimero and sister of Robert, performs a guest slot as a singer (Betty Lou Taylor will be on keyboards) at the Veranda of the Kahala Resort tonight. Hula jazz? Not quite. She, like her performing brothers, adores Hawaiiana but also has a pop side. She likes '40s and '50s vintage — music by Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat "King" Cole. ...

Keahi Conjugacion sings Hawaiiana and jazz at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Atherton Performing Arts Studio, 738 Kaheka St. Tickets are $17.50, $15 (HPR members) and $10 (students); call 955-8821. ...

Abe Lagrimas Jr. performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the rRed Elephant at 1144 Bethel St. Tickets are $20; call 550-8457. ...

Ballet Hawaii's "Sleeping Beauty," with guest artists Derrick Daniels and Michael Vernon, unfolds at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26 and 2 p.m. Aug. 27 at Blaisdell Concert Hall.

Tickets are $25 to $75; call 521-8600. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.