Because Elizabeth Hata-Watanabe, owner of The O Lounge nightclub and the new Downtown Harbor Court Bistro (the old Palomino), is a member of the board at Manoa Valley Theatre, a VIP grand opening gala set from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1 will benefit MVT.

Tickets are $50 and may be purchased through the theater. Call 988-6131, or RSVP by 5 p.m. Friday at this address: Jennifer.Ungacta@ManoaValleyTheatre.com. ...

The Harbor Court Bistro menu is being developed by executive chef Alexio Thomas Corleon, of French and Vietnamese descent, whose fare will tap many different regions including French, Asian, Mediterranean and Italian. He previously was at Haleiwa Joe's Seafood Restaurant in Kane'ohe, Kapono's at Aloha Tower Marketplace and Jackie's Kitchen. ...

The first event is a luncheon on July 31 to benefit the YWCA; the formal launch is Aug. 4. ...

ALL IN THE 'OHANA: Kathy Sulieman is reprising her role as the Wicked Witch in Diamond Head Theatre's "Wizard of Oz" (she was in the 2003 production). Otherwise, she's also a proud stage mother of two show biz kids: Daughter Yasmeen is a "Brown Bags to Stardom" winner in 1998 and a Broadway vet, who recently sang backup on Madonna's new single; and son Sterling, also a 2001 "Brown Bags" winner, is a graduate of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, and toured the U.S. with the "High School Musical" concert tour; he can be seen as Dre on ABC's "All My Children." ...

There are more family ties at "Wizard." Meagan Olson is stage manager; husband Steve is the stage door dad. Their kids, Cameron, Hannah and Tommy, appear in multiple roles as Winkies, Snowflakes, Trees, Jitterbugs and Lollipop Guild members. ...

Sam Kapu Jr. reminds me that Pomai Lopez, who was in the Honolulu Theatre for Youth's summer revival of "Rap's Hawai'i" and is now belting rock and delivering the funnies in Manoa Valley Theatre's "Rocky Horror Show," is the daughter of Andrew Lopez (of Ron and Andre fame, from yesteryear) and Andrea Kalima Lopez (the late Jesse Kalima's daughter). Ah, talent bloodlines thrive in this town. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Joy Abbott is just back from New York, where she took in "Damn Yankees," which marks the Broadway debut of Sean Hayes (Jack on "Will and Grace") as Applegate, the devil, along with Jane Krakowski as Lola and Cheyenne Jackson as Joe Hardy, at the New York City Center. Honolulan Abbott is the widow of Broadway legend George Abbott, who did the original book of the show with Douglass Wallop. Joy Abbott said Hayes gifted her with a Zippo lighter with the inscription, "Thank you for a hell of a time." If you know the show or have seen it (we just saw it earlier this month), you'll understand the implication. Hayes actually plays piano in this, since he's an accomplished musician, too. ...

Hapa — Barry Flanagan and Nathan Aweau — drew a sold-out crowd last week at Portland Zoo's Wednesday Night Summer Concert Series, with many ex-pats turning out. Miss Aloha Hula 2002 Malia Petersen, Hapa's secret weapon in the duo's earlier globetrotting gigs, danced with Portland kumu hula Deeva Yamashiro's Halau Kaleinani o Kukui, and Kamehameha grad Michael Crabbe assembled a Portland contingent of 100-plus to soak up Hawaiiana. Crabbe also danced to "Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai," when summoned by the crowd, and Crabbe is presenting Hapa in an Oct. 4 gig at his NorCal Makana O Hawai'i Festival at Chabot College Hall in Haywood, Calif. Ticket info: www.makanafestival.com. ...

MSNBC anchor Chris Jansing recently took time out of her busy schedule to explore Kona's marine life with Atlantis Submarines. You might think she was doing some investigative reporting on the volcano — but nope, her "assignment" was strictly R&R. ...

TRADE WINDS: Jasmine Trias, Hawai'i's "American Idol" who resumes her shows tonight with the Society of Seven Las Vegas at the Outrigger Waikiki's Main Showroom, is one of many area VIPs hosting screenings of Paramount Vantage's "American Teen" movie, including one set for 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at Dole Cannery Theatres. "Trias has a huge teen fan base — which is the perfect demographic for this film," said Andrea Galvin, film industry publicist. The movie tracks the lives of five teens during their senior year in high school. To attend, you need to RSVP at americanteenhonolulu@gmail.com. Trias will sign autographs and take photos with fans from 7 to 7:30 p.m., prior to the screening. ...

Pauline Wilson, formerly of Seawind, guests with the Honolulu Jazz Quartet in a gig at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Tickets are $30 ($25 for museum members); call 383-3909. ...

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.