Robert Cazimero may have been the first of the Waikiki troupers to sing a Yuletide song this season; it happened at his Oct. 25 Blue Note Hawaii gig.
Ironically, he closed his set with “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” performing as a soloist from behind his grand piano. The holiday tune served as his warm hana hou selection. Midway, he summoned his four gents from Halau Na Kamalei o Lililehua, his bassist Nicholas Lum, and guest singer-chanter Manu Boyd to return to the stage to chime in vocally.
But Cazimero won’t be home for Christmas. So the cup of holiday cheer, while lovely, isn’t what he’ll be chirping come the Yuletide. Instead, he’ll be toasting “Joyeux Noel,” not “Mele Kalikimaka,” since he’ll be in Paris in December. A tip for planners: He is committing to a Christmas show at Blue Note in December 2019, when he will be home for the holidays.
The October serenade was Cazimero’s last for this year. He has been dutifully staging a Blue Note show each quarter in 2018.
This finale was part hoike, part hoolaulea, casual and homey with reflection galore … about Halloween, Thanksgiving and perceptive tributes to Rosemary Clooney (“Tenderly”) and Elvis Presley (“Love Me Tender”) with hula soloist Sky Perkins initially dancing, then making it a magical vocal duet.
Another bright moment — diverse voices unified in a seductive spirit of song on “Ala Pikake” — was a showstopper. Boyd strummed ukulele and sang, Cazimero and Lum joined in, and they figuratively brought out the fragrance and frenzy of whacking pikake blossoms off the bushes, as the song describes in rhythmic Hawaiian lyrics. …
AND AS FOR WILLIE …
Willie K had his moments, too, on his Oct. 16 Blue Note visit, first introducing his protege Kaleo Phillips, then returning Oct. 18 to offer moral support for Phillips’ launch of his and his group’s debut CD, “E Mama,” just out.
Willie’s been in remission from cancer, and since he’s been feeling good, he’s been frisky and lively and chattier than ever.
Sure, the evergreen favorites like “Katchi Katchi Music Makawao” and “You, Kuuipo” prevailed. One oldie, “Kaneohe Blues,” was a lament on stressful road behavior, making him utter “drive with aloha” advice repeatedly, while singing about scooting through the tunnels and detours through Hawaii Kai and Waimanalo to reach the Windward side.
And did you catch Willie’s nice pop on NBC’s “Today” show after singing what the show called an “ukulele version” of the national anthem? It had been taped at the Rainbow Warriors-Las Vegas football game at Aloha Stadium, where Willie also did the halftime show. …
ON STAGE
Three student shows, already in production, offer a chance to catch budding actors strutting their stuff in popular musicals:
>> Sacred Hearts Academy’s “Mary Poppins Junior” plays at 2 p.m. today and again Saturday and Nov. 11, and at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, at Mamiya Theatre at Saint Louis School. Kira Stone plays the titular nanny; Kyle Kakuno directs. Tickets: 734-5058, ext. 232, or visit sacredhearts.org/tickets.
>> Punahou School’s “Into the Woods” continues at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 and 17 at Dillingham Hall. Alumnus Willy Falk, a Tony nominee (“Miss Saigon”) and current New Yorker, was in town to coach the cast. Tickets: 943-3295 or punahou.edu/the-arts/box-office …
>> The Castle Performing Arts Center’s “The Addams Family Musical” is on view at 3 p.m. today and Nov. 11 and also at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Ron Bright Theatre. Angel Ordenez is Wednesday Addams, Justin Igawa as father Gomez; Karen Meyers directs. Tickets: 233-5626 or castleperforms.com …
NEXT STOP: MARS
Heading to one of the three Bruno Mars concerts at Aloha Stadium, on Thursday, Saturday or Nov. 11? Presumably, you’ve secured tickets, without forsaking next month’s mortgage payment. And you’ve strategized on how best to arrive — drive? carpool? cab? express shuttle? — to minimize the expected long stream of vehicles inching toward the limited parking stalls. Me? I’m taking a Roberts Hawaii bus shuttle, alleviating commuting pilikia. Check 800-831-5541 or robertshawaii.com/ transportation.
Reminder: The stadium has rigid restrictions on what’s allowable, what’s not. OK: a bag not exceeding 12 by 6 by 12 inches, poncho, jacket, blanket, seat cushion, cellphones. Not OK: umbrella, bottled water, outside food, weapons. Bring extra bucks for a souvenir Mars T-shirt.
Allow time to get to the facility and to access your seats. Should be a 24K Magic evening, with patience and a spirit of aloha; after all, we’ll all be in the same boat to welcome and cheer on our homegrown superstar. …
Oh, there might be some Mars out-and-about sightings this week; he’s expected to arrive here a few days before his concerts. …
And that’s “Show Biz.”
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
