Jake Shimabukuro, the self-styled 'ukulele wizard who's easily the most popular of his generation of strummers, has launched the Chameleon Quarterly, an e-newsletter that supports the notion that Music Is Good Medicine.

Shimabukuro says that — dating back to age 4, when his mom first placed a uke in his hands to teach him how to play — "this magical instrument has been a positive force in my life," not just fueling his passion to perform over time but steering him away from distractions such as drugs.

"The four-string instrument is a universe of joy and healing, with a childlike quality about it that returns us to our youth and energizes our mind, body and spirit," he says.

You can hear Shimabukuro chat, view video of his school appearances, catch up on his performance schedule and sign on as a MIGM volunteer. Check it out at www.musicisgoodmedicine.org. ...

BACKSTAGE BITS: Diamond Head Theatre's "The Drowsy Chaperone" closes its run with a matinee today, but the cast was happy to receive opening night blessings from Danny Burstein, now playing Luther Billis in Broadway's "South Pacific" (along with our homegrown Bloody Mary, Loretta Ables Sayre). Burnstein originated the flamboyant Adolpho role on the Great White Way. The entire "South Pacific" cast signed a break-a-leg message to the DHT crew. ...

The cast's opening-night party was held at town restaurant in Kaimuki, providing DHT's artistic director John Rampage with a different perspective. He's usually among those greeting and welcoming guests, but he got spotlight accolades for his portrayal of Man in Chair in the musical. ...

And for Na Leo's Angela Morales, appearing as Trix the Aviatix in the beginning and ending of "Chaperone," there's a lot of wait between her onstage calls. So she has been getting into "blacks" to help move scenery on and off stage. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Jodi Leong, a KITV4 reporter and a recent mom (she adopted a girl from China), was able to watch the Ron Bright-directed "West Side Story" at Paliku Theatre one recent Saturday, since Mo Bright, the director's wife, "sat" the baby throughout the performance. The show, with Marcelo Pacleb's spirited choreography, is a wave of wonderment for the eyes and ears, with Tori Anguay as Anita stealing the show — the role that always towers over others, even in the current Broadway revival  - though this is a superb cast overall, with Tony (Kyle McCraw), Maria (Kim Anderson), Riff (Chris Villasenor) and Bernardo (Zare Anguay, yes, Tori's kid brother) lovingly crafted and sung. ...

Theo Vidourous, who by day is an attorney in the Army stationed at Fort Shafter, and spends weekends as Lt. Shrank in "West Side Story" (a non-singing role), was happy to learn that his mom flew over from New York to see him on stage for the first time. ...

And happily, "West Side Story" has been extended through Nov. 1. The add-on shows will be at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30, a Halloween matinee at 2 p.m. Oct. 31 and the finale at 4 p.m. Nov. 1. Reservations: www.eTicketHawaii.com or 235-7310. ...

NAME-DROPPING: Suzanne Diamond and Dimitri Haniotis will tie the knot in posh black-tie, black-and-white nuptials Oct. 17 at San Francisco's city hall. The oversized invitation with a stunning cut-out silhouette of the bride and groom amid blooms and butterflies is black-and-white, of course. ...

Hawaii State Ballet holds auditions Tuesday through Saturday for male dancers with partnering experience for its "Nutcracker" Dec. 11-20. Call 947-2755. ...

And that's Show Biz...