fan-tastic: Judy Dancer, real-estate broker specializing in the Trump Tower Waikiki, is a long-time fan of the Society of Seven and a particular booster of the original group, which will open Thursday at the Flamingo in Las Vegas. When singer Gary Bautista died earlier this year, Dancer — like many fans — was devastated at the loss.

Dancer did something quite remarkable. As a tribute to Bautista, she ordered up two dozen stuffed bears, fashioned from Bautista's clothing. She acquired Carolina Herrera cologne, the late singer's favorite scent, to spray on the fabric. She trekked to Las Vegas, where the classic SOS group has been for the past two years, to present the Bautista bears to Tony Ruivivar and other group members. Folks like Frannie Kirk, Outrigger entertainment director and one-time manager of the SOS, got one; others like Cha Thompson, who danced the hula at Bautista's funeral services, and Martin Nievera, the first to be at Bautista's side when he collapsed in a private show in Los Angeles, were recipients, too.

A tearful moment occurred when Dancer gave a bear to Julia Bautista, former wife of the entertainer, and their two children (daughter Jewel and stepson Santino), who live in Hawai'i Kai.

"It's just something I wanted to do — to remember Gary," said Dancer, who estimates that it cost her about $50 for each bear created. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Local girl Ann Harada (no relation), who created the role of Christmas Eve in Broadway's Tony winner, "Avenue Q," is reprising the part in the London production now at the Noel Coward Theatre. ...

Hapa ended its Mainland part of its U.S./Canada tour recently; Nathan Aweau and Barry Flanagan broke the box office record for the Portland Zoo's Wednesday Night Summer Concert Series, attracting 5,500 Oregonians and expats who still are Hawaiian at heart. Aweau got a standing ovation for his solo seven-string bass piece, "Twinkletoes." ...

Filmmaker Edgy Lee is home after 2 1/2 months on the road, promoting "The Hawaiians." Through author pal Ed Rampell ("Pearl Harbor at the Movies," "Progressive Hollywood: a People's Film History of the United States"), she learned that former resident and muralist Martin Charlot has spinal meningitis, has lost his sight in his right eye, can't walk and is hospitalized in Los Angeles. Needs kokua desperately, and pals are wondering how best to lend a hand. ...

Looked like a mini-convention of restaurateurs one day last week at Romano's Macaroni Grill. The lunch bunch included Ben Dowling, one of Nick's Fishmarket's owners; Lyle Matsuoka, g.m. of Ruby Tuesday's in Ala Moana Center; and Aecia Lemieux, g.m. of the new Ruby's in Moanalua. ...

Rock Kills Kid ("Rock Kills Kid," "Are You Nervous?") popped into the Waikiki Hard Rock Cafe last week. ...

WHO'S NEWS: Natalie Parker, chair of the Young Artists Helping Young Artists event from 5 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at Compadres, has enlisted the help of a family friend, Gigi Garner (daughter of actor James Garner and a pal of Natalie's mom, Sally). The benefit for the Rehab Hospital of the Pacific's Louis Vuitton Creative Arts Program will feature artwork, pupu and no-host drinks, with Jeff Peterson, Brother Noland and Manoa DNA providing music. Gigi Garner's donating her jewelry (clients include Marcia Cross, Teri Hatcher, Halle Berry, Penelope Cruz, Kate Beckinsale, Marlee Matlin, Patti LaBelle, Lisa Kudrow, Sandra Bullock, k.d. lang, Orlando Bloom and Chad Michael), which has been seen on "Desperate Housewives" and other shows. ...

finally: OCEAN has created a commotion. HASR Wine Co. has had such a run on the new ultra-premium vodka made on Maui, they've resorted to taking reservations. At last count, 28 orders were pending. And The Wine Stop has already sold more than eight cases of the liquor, called Ocean. ...

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.