WHEE, THE PEOPLE: When ABC-TV's reality show "Dancing With the Stars" sashays back into prime time from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 5 on KITV-4, Tia Carrere, who is the voice of Nani in "Lilo and Stitch," will be among the dance-floor competitors. She will partner with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, with other celebs like Tatum O'Neal, Drew Lachey and George Hamilton also doing their ballroom best. Of course, another local will be back — Carrie Ann Inaba is one of the judges. ...

When the lights went out at Diamond Head Theatre's "Aladdin Jr." Dec. 3, there was one casualty — TX Tario, who plays the verbal parrot Iago, twisted his ankle in the dark. His understudy, 8-year-old Teiliana Pelekai, stepped in, whisked on the feathery costume and picked up the beat. With makeup artist Jess Aki's help, she got her face done outside because the green room didn't have lights. Earlier, the patient audience sang Christmas carols. Let's hope there will be no more unplanned drama for the rest of the run. And yes, Tario's back in action. ...

The Maiki Aiu Foundation will stage Mali'o 2005, a holiday concert, at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Mission Memorial Auditorium on the grounds of City Hall. Vicky Hollinger and Elaine Ako Spencer will be honored for their contributions to Hawaiian music; performers include Haunani Apoliona, Karen Keawehawai'i, Owana Salazar, Ku'uipo Kumukahi and Puamana, with Na Pulama Ia the opening act. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted at the door. ...

That was Eagles singer Glenn Frey golfing with Jacky Jedlicki of Marek Lieberberg Presents last week on Maui, where the group did the last of five Hawai'i concerts. Jedlicki, who, like Lieberberg, has a home on Maui, is back on O'ahu this week to tend to Motley Crue's Blaisdell Arena concert tomorrow night. The metalists are here from Australia. ...

TONIGHT'S TV TIP: Jake Shimabukuro makes his first national TV appearance when he guests on Conan O'Brien's show on NBC. Local publicist Mona Wood was expected to be on hand for the tapings — with lei and omiyage from Hawai'i. ...

MOSTLY MUSIC: It'll be a milestone when the Chinatown Lions Club presents the annual "Christmas in Ensemble" concert at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Orvis Auditorium at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa campus. Students of the Ernest Chang Piano Studio will perform; this year marks Chang's 30th anniversary of these presentations of student pianists in duets, trios, quartets and more — like eight players, even — utilizing two pianos. A highlight will be Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite," with narration of the Nutcracker doll by Stuart Chafetz, musical director and conductor of the Maui Pops Orchestra. Two new compositions receive their world premiere. Tickets: $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors. Proceeds enable the Lions Club to support worthy community projects. ...

RANDOM NOTES: Comedian Frank DeLima finally has a Web site: www.frankdelima.com. ...

Azure McCall has settled in the Deep Blue limelight at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, where a recent "Blue Party" attracted about 100 folks, including Danny Kaleikini, Linda Wong, Kimo Kahoano, Tom Moffatt, Star Williams, David Swanson, Janis Koh, Lynn Cook, Susan Sunderland, Hisako Sanjo and media types such as Lisa Kubota, Roz Makaula and Kutmaster Spaz. Melveen Leed will deliver a jazz show from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Saturday, with McCall performing from 9:30 to 10:45 p.m. Call 922-4992. ...

Former Honolulan Joseph LeBlanch, a clarinetist, has joined "The President's Own," the U.S. Marine Band, America's oldest musical organization. ...

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.