Society of Seven
Encyclopedia
Society of Seven is a variety troupe that performs a variety show
of the same name. Formed in the early 1960s as a pop group named The Fabulous Echoes, the group released a number of records in Asia, recording with the Hong Kong-based Diamond Records. Their version of "A Little Bit of Soap" was #1 for 32 weeks on the Hong Kong charts, as well as being a hit in neighboring countries. That started a string of, and they had a double hit with "Dancing on the Moon" and "Sunshine (a ballad written by Diamond Music co-director Frances da Silva-Kirk and Vic Cristobal).
At this time, the group had six members: lead singer Cliff Foenander
was backed by Tony Ruivivar on guitar, Stan Robinson on bass, Terry Lucido on piano, percussionist Danny Ruivivar with Bert Sagum doing vocals and playing tambourine.
Adding Gary Bautista in 1984 and adopting its current name in 1968, The Society Of Seven opened at the Main Showroom of the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel in 1969 for what was originally a four-week engagement in place of Tommy Sands
. There was considerable turnover in the roster in the years that followed—three members of the group, Danny Ruivivar, Terry Lucido and Gary Bautista, died, and more than 14 others came and went during the next four decades. However, two members of the original 1969 SOS group—SOS leader Tony Ruivivar and vocalist Bert Sagum, both also members of the original Fabulous Echoes group—were still there when the group celebrated its 32nd anniversary at the Outrigger in 2001. That is believed to be the record for a Waikiki act as the headliner of single major venue (Don Ho
was a Waikiki headliner for 43 years, but he headlined several different venues between 1964 and 2007; Danny Kaleikini, another major Hawaiian entertainer, headlined the Maile Terrace at what was then the Kahala Hilton, a few miles outside Waikiki, for 27 years [1967-1994]).
The troupe performs a variety of songs (particularly Broadway showtunes
), comedy sketches, and celebrity impersonations
. It has also recorded for several national and local record labels, although record sales were primarily in Hawaii record stores and as souvenirs at the group's performances—in that context, the group's hits include "Walk Away," "99.8" and "I'll Love You Through It All."
The group was voted "the Best Show in Waikiki" by the readers of Honolulu Magazine.
In 2001, a second troupe was formed, Society of Seven LV. When the formation of the SOS LV was first announced the publicists said that the original SOS group would remain based in Waikiki
and the younger group, with the "LV" short for Las Vegas
would be based in Las Vegas. However, the original SOS eventually moved to Las Vegas and the Society of Seven LV became the resident version of the group at the Outrigger, though the original Society Of Seven has returned to Hawaii for several concert-style performances at the Hawaii Theater in downtown Honolulu.
As of May 2009, Society of Seven with Lani Misalucha
could be seen performing at the Flamingo Las Vegas
in Las Vegas
and Society of Seven LV, with Jasmine Trias
can be seen at the Outrigger
Waikiki Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii
. Trias, a finalist on the American Idol
TV show, was born and raised in Mililani, Hawaii, near Honolulu, and was seen as a natural addition to the show.
The original SOS group received a "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts
(HARA) in 2007.
On November 6, 2009 the Society of Seven opened a new show with Jasmine Trias
doing comedy, impression and dance under a one year contract to perform two shows Friday, Saturday & Sunday at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino
located one mile (1.6 km) west of the Las Vegas Strip on West Flamingo Road. This relationship has continued a second year, with Trias joining SOS in their sold-out 22 October 2011 show at Atlantis Casino Resort
in Reno, Nevada
.
Starting in 2010, when Trias has had other obligations, her place has been taken by Arshiel Calatrava, a high school
student from Kalihi
, Hawaii, continuing the SOS tradition of showcasing Hawaiian talent.
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
of the same name. Formed in the early 1960s as a pop group named The Fabulous Echoes, the group released a number of records in Asia, recording with the Hong Kong-based Diamond Records. Their version of "A Little Bit of Soap" was #1 for 32 weeks on the Hong Kong charts, as well as being a hit in neighboring countries. That started a string of, and they had a double hit with "Dancing on the Moon" and "Sunshine (a ballad written by Diamond Music co-director Frances da Silva-Kirk and Vic Cristobal).
At this time, the group had six members: lead singer Cliff Foenander
Cliff Foenander
Cliff Foenander was a Sri Lankan musician who performed in South East Asia and Las Vegas. Cliff died 21 November 2000.-Career:Cliff grew up in Colombo, and in the 1950s he started performing in clubs and dances around Ceylon....
was backed by Tony Ruivivar on guitar, Stan Robinson on bass, Terry Lucido on piano, percussionist Danny Ruivivar with Bert Sagum doing vocals and playing tambourine.
Adding Gary Bautista in 1984 and adopting its current name in 1968, The Society Of Seven opened at the Main Showroom of the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel in 1969 for what was originally a four-week engagement in place of Tommy Sands
Tommy Sands
Tommy Adrian Sands is an American pop music singer and actor.-Early life:Born into a musical family in Chicago, Illinois, Sands' father was a pianist and his mother a big-band singer. While still young, he moved with his family to Shreveport, Louisiana...
. There was considerable turnover in the roster in the years that followed—three members of the group, Danny Ruivivar, Terry Lucido and Gary Bautista, died, and more than 14 others came and went during the next four decades. However, two members of the original 1969 SOS group—SOS leader Tony Ruivivar and vocalist Bert Sagum, both also members of the original Fabulous Echoes group—were still there when the group celebrated its 32nd anniversary at the Outrigger in 2001. That is believed to be the record for a Waikiki act as the headliner of single major venue (Don Ho
Don Ho
Donald Tai Loy "Don" Ho was a Hawaiian and traditional pop musician, singer and entertainer.-Life and career:Ho, of Chinese, Hawaiian, Portuguese, Dutch, and German descent, was born in the small Honolulu neighborhood of Kakaako, but he grew up in Kāneohe on the windward side of the island of Oahu...
was a Waikiki headliner for 43 years, but he headlined several different venues between 1964 and 2007; Danny Kaleikini, another major Hawaiian entertainer, headlined the Maile Terrace at what was then the Kahala Hilton, a few miles outside Waikiki, for 27 years [1967-1994]).
The troupe performs a variety of songs (particularly Broadway showtunes
Showtunes
Showtunes is the result of collaboration between Stephin Merritt with Chen Shi-zheng on three pieces of musical theatre; Orphan of Zhao , Peach Blossom Fan , and My Life as a Fairy Tale . Select tracks from these are featured on this album...
), comedy sketches, and celebrity impersonations
Impersonator
An impersonator is someone who imitates or copies the behavior or actions of another. There are many reasons for someone to be an impersonator, some common ones being as follows:...
. It has also recorded for several national and local record labels, although record sales were primarily in Hawaii record stores and as souvenirs at the group's performances—in that context, the group's hits include "Walk Away," "99.8" and "I'll Love You Through It All."
The group was voted "the Best Show in Waikiki" by the readers of Honolulu Magazine.
In 2001, a second troupe was formed, Society of Seven LV. When the formation of the SOS LV was first announced the publicists said that the original SOS group would remain based in Waikiki
Waikiki
Waikiki is a neighborhood of Honolulu, in the City and County of Honolulu, on the south shore of the island of Oahu, in Hawaii. Waikiki Beach is the shoreline fronting Waikīkī....
and the younger group, with the "LV" short for Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
would be based in Las Vegas. However, the original SOS eventually moved to Las Vegas and the Society of Seven LV became the resident version of the group at the Outrigger, though the original Society Of Seven has returned to Hawaii for several concert-style performances at the Hawaii Theater in downtown Honolulu.
As of May 2009, Society of Seven with Lani Misalucha
Lani Misalucha
Lani Misalucha is a singer from the Philippines currently performing in the United States where she also resides. She holds shows at the Flamingo Las Vegas with the Hawaiian variety troupe Society of Seven - SOS...
could be seen performing at the Flamingo Las Vegas
Flamingo Las Vegas
The Flamingo Las Vegas is a hotel casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada and is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Corp.. The property offers a casino along with 3,626 hotel rooms...
in Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
and Society of Seven LV, with Jasmine Trias
Jasmine Trias
Jasmine Trias is an American singer-entertainer who was the third place finalist on the third season of American Idol, due in part to tremendous call-in support from California, New York, and her native state of Hawaii. She has released one album to date, Jasmine Trias...
can be seen at the Outrigger
Outrigger Hotels & Resorts
Outrigger Hotels is a Honolulu-based hotel chain operating a multi-branded line of hotels, condominiums and vacation resort properties in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.-History:...
Waikiki Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
. Trias, a finalist on the American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
TV show, was born and raised in Mililani, Hawaii, near Honolulu, and was seen as a natural addition to the show.
The original SOS group received a "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts
Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts
The Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts is a nonprofit organization formed in 1982 to stimulate interest in the local recording industry and the music of Hawaii.-External links:*...
(HARA) in 2007.
On November 6, 2009 the Society of Seven opened a new show with Jasmine Trias
Jasmine Trias
Jasmine Trias is an American singer-entertainer who was the third place finalist on the third season of American Idol, due in part to tremendous call-in support from California, New York, and her native state of Hawaii. She has released one album to date, Jasmine Trias...
doing comedy, impression and dance under a one year contract to perform two shows Friday, Saturday & Sunday at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino
Gold Coast Hotel and Casino
The Gold Coast Hotel & Casino is a hotel and casino located in Las Vegas, Nevada. This locals' casino is owned and operated by Boyd Gaming Corporation. The Gold Coast is located one mile west of the Las Vegas Strip on West Flamingo Road. It is located across the street from the Palms Casino...
located one mile (1.6 km) west of the Las Vegas Strip on West Flamingo Road. This relationship has continued a second year, with Trias joining SOS in their sold-out 22 October 2011 show at Atlantis Casino Resort
Atlantis Casino Resort
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is a hotel and casino in Reno, Nevada. The property is currently owned by Monarch Casino Resort Inc . The three hotel towers have combined 1,000 guest rooms and Jacuzzi suites. The casino floor spans 67,000 sq ft and is one of Reno's most profitable and luxurious...
in Reno, Nevada
Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
.
Starting in 2010, when Trias has had other obligations, her place has been taken by Arshiel Calatrava, a high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
student from Kalihi
Kalihi
thumb|300px|Historically, Kalihi was an [[ahupua'a|ahupuaʻa]], or area of land ruled by chief or king and managed by the members of the [[alii|alii]]Kalihi is a neighborhood community of Honolulu on the island of Oʻahu in Hawaiʻi, United States...
, Hawaii, continuing the SOS tradition of showcasing Hawaiian talent.
External links
- Society of Seven official site