Random Bits

My new Rhythm & Views column for Maui No Ka Oi Magazine came out on Monday (3/29). It would be cool if you checked it out. I went to the Maui Pops and admitted I’ve seen the Jonas Brothers in concert.

Enough about me, for now.

On Saturday, thousands of people lined the streets of Kihei for a chance to work as an extra in the upcoming Adam Sandler/Jennifer Aniston movie, which is being filmed in Wailea in late April/early May.

Apparently, it was madness with long lines, slow processing and hot sun. The casting directors may announce another opportunity for extras soon.

Speaking of casting, “Pirates of the Caribbean 4,” is casting extras on Oahu and Kauai for the upcoming filming on the islands. They are looking for men to play pirates, sailors and stand-ins for primary cast members.

For the pirates, the potential extras must be authentic-looking scavenger-types 18-60s, all ethnicities, especially extreme character types: thin, tall, short, emaciated, odd features, huge nose, eyes, ears, lazy eye, grizzled and wrinkles faces, odd body types, missing limbs, teeth, etc.

Sailors must be thin and average build, good looking to extreme characters, British types, Spaniards, and other ethnicities, ages 18- into their 50s.

The Oahu casting call is set for April 24 and Kauai April 25.

Additional information is available at Sande Alessi Casting.

So, us movie fans are asking, no “Pirates” on Maui? Maybe the cast will make Maui their secret get-away home during their time on the Islands. Johnny Depp, Maui No Ka Oi.

Speaking of celebs on Maui,  Cher was here this week. She apparently rented a house across from the beach in Wailea and spent one afternoon taking stand-up-paddle lessons.

Here’s a cool story/blog that Maui Surfer Girls posted about teaching Cher to SUP.

Those who are tweens, or parents of tweens, will know who I’m talking about when I say Jake T. Austin was on the island this week, too. “I want to find him,” my precious almost 10-year-old said. I didn’t have many details for her except that he Tweeted he was roaming the streets of Maui a few nights ago.

Jake T. Austin is one of the stars of Disney Channels “Wizards of Waverly Place.” He is now back in LA for the premier of his new movie “The Perfect Game,” which opens April 16.

The movie is based on a true story about a group of boys from Monterrey, Mexico, who became the first non-U.S. Team to win the Little League World Series in 1957. The film also stars Clifton Collins Jr., Cheech Marin, Moises Arias and Louis Gossett Jr.

BIG NEWS:  Snoop Dogg is coming to Maui in July! At least that’s what Brian Evans posted on his Facebook page. Brian is the man behind The Maui Celebrity Series, a new entertainment offering that already has brought the likes of Roseanne Barr, William Shatner and Paul Rodriguez to the Valley Isle.

Next up for The Maui Celebrity Series is David Spade April 30 in Lahaina. There are rumors of surprise guests.

Also a couple of cool things: Zofia, my daughter, and I got to go with our friends to take their son Jaxon to see Jake Shimabukuro last weekend at the MACC. Jaxon, who is an 8-year-old ukulele player, was celebrating his birthday and got to perform a few of his original tunes for Jake. Then Jake gave a shout-out to Jaxon during the concert. More about the adventures of Zofia and Jaxon to come.

Also, Sebrina Barron and Gail Swanson are playing Upcountry Sundays Acoustic Style Sunday April 4 at Casanova in Makawao. It is a benefit for Mana’o Radio, the only listener-supported radio station on Maui.

More on these and other tid-bits of info coming soon.