THE LOCAL ANGLE: Eddie Aikau and Duke Kahanamoku will be part of the Pacifika: New York Hawaiian Film Festival in the Big Apple May 19-21. A pair of locally produced film biographies, "Eddie Aikau: Hawaiian Hero" and "Duke Kahanamoku: Hawai'i's Soul," which originally aired on KGMB-9, will be among a cluster of Hawai'i works that will be shown at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. The team that produced both specials — producer Phil Arnone, editor-co-producer Lawrence Pacheco, and writer Robert Pennybacker — is currently working on "Ho-nolulu ... 100 Years in the Making," which airs on Channel 9 in June, with "retired" news anchor Jade Moon hosting. ...

Kendall Grove, Maui native nicknamed Spider, will be part of the third season of "The Ultimate Fighter," premiering April 6 on Spike TV. Should he survive the rigorous competition, the finale is set for June 24, when a live match unfolds from the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. ...

AFTER HOURS: Jimmy Borges sang at private post-concert party, arranged by Suzie Fitzgerald, after Renée Fleming's stunning show with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra at Blaisdell Concert Hall. The jazz singer and the opera diva chatted about jazz and discovered that bandleader Illinois Jacquet influenced both of their careers. "She was extremely generous in her praise for our style of jazz, and she almost came up to join us but wisely opted to rest her magical voice," said Borges. Dan Del Negro and Steve Jones accompanied Borges. ...

Interim symphony president Gideon Toeplitz took his two visiting daughters (one a Boston Conservatory student, majoring in musical theater, the other a Northwestern graduate working for a Washington magazine) to a master class at the University of Hawai'i, then dined at Shanghai Bistro last Thursday night. ...

As a prelude to Saturday's Diamond Head Crater Celebration, at which it will offer a quesadilla station, Compadres Bar & Grill at Ward Centre will sponsor, along with Miller Beer, a pre-celebration party from 3 p.m. today, with special prices on margaritas and Miller Lite and Draft beer. The restaurant's "whole enchilada" promotion will offer half-priced enchiladas between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. today, according to g.m. Jim Wagner. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Melveen Leed is e-mailing pals about her life-changing joy after being baptized by New Hope pastor Wayne Cordeiro at Magic Island a few rainy days back. "I will sing till I can sing no more and it will always be for the Lord and in his glory," she said. ...

Despite untrue rumors that Wave Waikiki is closing, club owner Jack Law is looking for a new g.m., since the Wave's Alan Brissette is leaving to join the Honolulu Police Department. ...

The Makaha Sons, marking their 30th anniversary this year, are looking for commemorative photos from fans and followers for publication in a keepsake program pegged to the group's "Take a Walk in the Country 4" concert June 17 at Blaisdell Arena. If you have a photo to share, scan at 300 dpi resolution and e-mail to sharelene @makahasons.com. Submission means you give Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Jerome Koko and John Koko rights to use the image. Next up for the Sons: the Hana Hou! concert April 14 at the Hawai'i Theatre. ...

CALENDAR CUES: Comedian Howie Mandel ("Deal or No Deal") performs at 7:30 p.m. May 6 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall; tickets ($49, $59) are on sale at the box office and at Ticketmaster locations. ...

Damian Marley, reggae and hip-hop artist, returns for two shows — at 7 p.m. April 21 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center and at 7:30 p.m. April 23 at the Waikiki Shell. Maui tickets are $29 advance, $35 at the door; Honolulu prices are $25 general admission, $35 reserved, on sale at the boxes (at www.mauiarts.org on Maui, at www.ticketmaster.com here). ...

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.