THAT'S SHOE BIZ: What do superstar Cher, congresswoman-elect Mazie Hirono and Illinois Sen. and Mrs. Barack Obama have in common? They all stopped by a Sandal Tree shop over the holidays to buy footwear. Cher was at the Sandal Tree at Whaler's Village at Ka'anapali, Maui, where she picked up a couple of pairs of Stuart Weitzmans; Hirono was at the Ala Moana outlet for her favorite Arche boot before heading to Washington, D.C.; and at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki store Mrs. Obama placed a pair of sandals on hold — to pick up later. ...

AROUND TOWN: Shawna Masuda, rehearsing for the Narrator's role in Army Community Theatre's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," will sing "Valentine" and perhaps a song or two more at Jim Brickman's Blaisdell concert Saturday night. Should be a fantastic match of budding and established star. ...

Friends of the late Tim Albrecht, the New York-based guest choreographer whose last show here was "Cinderella," will hold a celebration of his life at 6 p.m. today at Diamond Head Theatre. ...

Jazzman John Kolivas is honored that legendary jazz critic and author Nat Hentoff has written the write the liner notes for the Honolulu Jazz Quartet's "Tenacity" CD, due in February. Hentoff's book "Jazz Country" "was a big influence on me when I was 12 years old," says Kolivas, who had sent Hentoff his band's first CD along with a fan note. Kolivas express-mailed tracks from the new CD to Hentoff who was so impressed he offered to do the liner notes. Writes the New York-based Hentoff: "The Honolulu Jazz Quartet is ready to be recognized in jazz scenes throughout the world, as is manifestly, invigoratingly evident in 'Sounds of the City' and now 'Tenacity.' " ...

What a sweet way to end the old year and begin the new one: Keali'i Reichel's Christmas CD, "Maluhia," was the year-ending No. 1 seller at Borders — and retains that slot in the first days of 2007. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Afatia Thompson, in the midst of a career leap as a bona fide singing star, was hauled up from the audience at Wayne Brady's early performance Friday night at the Sheraton Waikiki's Hawaii Ballroom to perform a number — to the squeals of delighted young fans. Brady, who learned of Afatia from the numerous posters "with a half-naked guy with body tattoo" touting the singer's debut CD alongside Brady's publicity poster for the Maui shows, hence shared his stage. ...

Reason Shawn Ching is not on-air as KITV-4 co-anchor this week: He's been granted a 12-week leave because his mother has been diagnosed with lung cancer. ...

Keyboardist Don Conover had a stem-cell transplant Dec. 21 at a Seattle hospital, where he is recuperating. The procedure will enable cells to find their way to his marrow and start producing healthy blood cells. Your prayers would be appreciated. ...

SHORTS OF SORTS: Two personalities active in the performing arts will take oaths tomorrow to serve as city commissioners. Singer Marlene Sai will serve on the Mayor's Commission on Culture and the Arts; and her pal Charlian Wright, who has been an Aloha Festivals honcho, will be sworn in to the Police Commission. ...

That was, indeed, Jake Shimabukuro, uke strummer extraordinaire, on the Japanese "Red and White" TV show Monday night. ...

Ben Dowling, owner-vice president of Nick's Fishmarket in Waikiki, was happy when Bill Tangonan, who worked with Dowling for 30 years at Rex's Restaurant, marked his 65th birthday with a party at Nick's. Dowling also was surprised when Tangonan played the guitar; Danny Kaleikini got on stage to sing "Happy Birthday" in Hawaiian. ...

Kaukahi's delayed private CD release party, for its "Life in These Islands" release, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Main Showroom of the Outrigger Waikiki hotel. The group will perform, along with Jack Johnson and others. ...

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.