Vanita Rae Smith, retired artistic director at Army Community Theatre, just returned from Heidelberg, Germany, where she received the Jim Martin Lifetime Achievement Award for Individual Excellence, capping her 40-year career in theater — principally as the heart and honcho at Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter. "Lovely ceremony with 600 people attending," she said of the European military gala.

Another salute, a local one supported by her Island peers, will be held May 24 (yes, a Monday, geared to the theater community) at the Ko'olau Ballroom in Kāne'ohe, with cocktails from 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and show at 8 p.m. Folks associated with her, from the stage to the dark side of the footlights, will toast her, including Alan Edwards, Bob Todd, Chris Waugh, Daren Kimura, Dwight Martin, Ethan Okura, Grace Bell, Jamie Rolfsmeyer Stroud, Jo Pruden, Lenny Klompus, Pedro Haro, Peter Rucci, Renee Garcia, Rev. Sky St. John, Roz C, Shari Lynn and Shawna Lynn.

Tickets, $50, include a buffet, show and gift. Reservations: Via Paypal account at jaymebalexander@hotmail.com, or send check to Jayme B. Alexander, 908 Maunawili Road, Kailua, HI 96734, or Jo Pruden at 623-2394, or jopruden@hawaii.rr.com. ...

SIGHT 'EMS: Musician Dave Matthews and comedic actor Nick Swardson enjoyed sushi at Sansei Kīhei one late night. ...

Also on Maui, head above sand with body buried: singer Beyonce. ...

Josh Holloway, Sawyer in ABC's "Lost," was merry and mobile on the dance floor at the wrap party for the series — with daughter Java Kumala (Kumala is mom Yessica's surname) in his arms — at the Kahala Hotel & Resort. He grooved to the exotic sounds of Don Tiki, sharing vibes from its "South of the Boudoir" CD, which recently won a Hawaii Music Award (adult contemporary album) and is a Nā Hōkū Hanohano finalist in the same category. ...

Hōkū Zuttermeister joined Sacred Hearts Academy's May Day celebration last Thursday in the school gym. Kula Abiva, Pokii Vaughan and Ryan Souza also performed hula and mele, tapping tales, myths and legends of old Hawai'i. ...

HITHER 'N' YON: Paradise and Company, a corporate show dance band, is seeking female singers. Send photo and resume to kika@hawaii.rr.com or call 735-2088. ...

Visiting Las Vegas? Jasmine Trias has rejoined the classic Society of Seven, in shows at 7 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at the Gold Coast Casino. Call 702-251-3574. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...