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KEVIN’S YULE GIFT A HUGGER

Rejoice!

“Christmas In Our Hearts,” a yuletide ballad by Kevin I., is truly a gift of song that will keep on giving as his annual anthem for the holidays.

The single, Kevin’s first-ever Christmas melody, was released Tuesday (Nov. 4). It surely will bring a tingle to your ears, a glow in your heart, and merriment to your feelings.

The pleasure and treasure are in Kevin’s voice – warm, cozy, embracing, engaging – and the tune soars with shimmering and joyous tidings of the season. It’s actually a sweet contemporary/pop love song, composed by Lance Jyo and Galen Takushi, with a precious theme of unity and goodwill, a natural for Mele Kalikimaka sentiment.

Recorded in October at David Kauahikaua’s home studio in Kailua, the single is blessed with a simple and precise premise — that cherishing Christmas as “the time to be with the ones you love,” and advocates global bonding and togetherness without mentioning the word “peace.” It’s like the aloha spirit with a holiday spin: hold hands, smile, hug, and flash a merry “shaka” sign.

Kevin I.

And in supporting roles, Jyo and jazz singer Rachel Gonzales provide valuable and comforting background vocal harmonies.

The single follows the August-September release of Kevin’s adored five-song “My Continuum” EP, laden with romantic and heart-tugging ballads showcasing the singer’s first recording in four decades. “Christmas In Our Hearts” is a natural sister (or brother, if you prefer) to the earlier album; it seems to have the same genes of goodness, goodwill and graciousness.

The release of “Christmas In Our Hearts” marks a personal milestone for Kevin, who achieved his career goals this year – singing and releasing both his ambitious EP and this eloquent original Christmas tune. You’ll recognize a winner when you hear it and you’ll welcome the song’s warmth with beaucoup hugs. So, add a third element to Kevin’s mission accomplishments – having recording producer Jyo as a collaborator and the wish-maker with the magic wand to make it all happen. Could he possibly be Santa Claus?

And that’s Show Biz…

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READY FOR HALLOWEEN 2025?

The assortment of Halloween pins — of ghouls, goblins, jack o’ lanterns and witches — has been distributed over the past month, so if you’ve got ’em, wear ’em for your trick-or-treating outings or at your Halloween parties this Friday.

Happy Halloween!

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KALAPANA REDUX, AND DOWNSIZED

You might call it “Kalapana 50 Hana Hou.” 

The spirit of the recent mammoth celebration of Kalapana’s 50th anniversary at the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell will be downsized considerably when fans and musicians alike reminisce about the milestone Oct. 4 event.

Gaylord Holomalia, a participant of the biggie outdoor event and a Kalapana bandsman in recent times, said the Blue Note endeavor — at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 17 and 18 at Blue Note Hawaii — is principally for those who missed the 50th anniversary show. Or perhaps it could be that some diehard followers might choose to continue to re-live the memory in the smaller Blue Note nightclub space at the Outrigger Waikiki resort.

Kenji Sano

Participating musicians include Kenji Sano, on bass and vocals; Todd Yukumoto on sax, flute and vocals; Alden Levi on guitar and vocals; Blayne Asing, on electric guitar and vocals; Garin Poliahu, on drums; Jorden Kealoha-Yamanaka, on vocals; and Ben Taaca, on guitar and vocals.

Tickets: (808) 777-4890…

Plan ahead for Christmas shows

There’s not a whole lot of holiday shows on the radar this year. At least, not yet.

Robert Cazimero

So if you’re planning ahead to attend a particular show, better make reservations.

For instance, Robert Cazimero’s annual Christmas songfest at Chef Chai’s is nearly sold out, if not already filled. The gig is at 5:30 p.m. (for dinner) and a 6:30 p.m. performance, on Dec. 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20.

The big one – with premium ticketing prices — should be Kalani Pe‘a’s gathering at 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Hawaii Theatre.

Blue Note Hawaii has booked a string of shows with island talent, though some acts may do holiday fare mixed with their own repertoire. Among the bookings:

  • “Merry Christmas to You,” led by Henry Kapono, at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11.
  • “AJ Raphael & Alyssa’s ‘Our Little Christmas Tour,” at 6:30 and 9 p.m.Dec. 4.
  • Jake Shimabukuro, at 6 p.m. and 8:30 pm. Dec. 16, 17, and 18, and Dec. 19 at 6:30 and 9 p.m.
  • Kimie Miner, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Dec. 20.
  • “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” with the Mike Lewis Band, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Dec. 24 and 25.

Oh, Mary

Mary Gutzi enacts Emily Dickinson in a Readers Theatre Production of “The Belle of Amherst,” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3, 4 and 5 at The Actors’ Group’s Brad Powell Theatre at The Shops at Dole Cannery in Iwilei.

Vanita Rae Smith will direct the play based on a book by William Luce, a literary classic. “Amherst” is based on the life of poet Emily Dickison, circa 1830 to 1886, in her home at Amherst, Massachusetts, locale of the 1976 play.

Mary Gutzi

The story embraces Dickinson’s recollections and encounters with significant folks in her life, including family, close friends, and acquaintances, and balances her isolation  and seclusion with the rare joy she enjoyed with her friends..

It’s not Gutzi’s first time at TAG, but Readers Theatre regulars should check her out. Tickets ( $20) are available at (808) 722-6941… Further, she’ll join Shari Lynn in a one-nighter with two shows at TAG on Dec. 13…

And that’s Show Biz…

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FULL STORY ON FACIAL RECOGNITION

OK, this will be – hopefully – the final continuation of a story on the half-face-only depiction of singer Kevin I.’s face on his new EP recording.

The image is on his new EP, “My Continuum,” now in release with five tracks demonstrating the power of romance in Kevin’s voice, now as well as then. You might recall, this release arrived some 40 years after Kevin shelved his musical career and current notion to jumpstart this journey of recovery.

Lance Jyo

Lance Jyo, Kevin’s Hawaii-based producer and composer (and new friend), says unceremoniously that the idea was his to go with the half-face cover art. “Let’s just show half of your face,” the boss told the vocalist.

“It wasn’t about hiding. It was symbolic,” said Jyo, a reflection of Kevin’s journey. “Half represents the part of him the world remembers, and the other half – unseen – represent the years of growth, reflection, and rediscovery that brought him back.”

Kevin’s half-face

Kevin felt and understood the situation and Jyo explained the overview thusly: “The other half of Kevin’s face isn’t missing because of acne – it’s missing because it tells a story. A story of  a man who found his way back to the music he loves, and who now shares the journey  — one song, and one half-face, at a time.”

Half-truths can add up to a logical conclusion…

Shorts of sorts

Glenn Medeiros will be at a book-signing event at 2 p.m.  today (Oct. 25) at Barnes & Noble to celebrate the release of his autobiography, “From One Stage to Another.” Dr.  Medeiros, of course, is the president Saint Louis School who was a teen idol balladeer with a national hit song, “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You” back in the day…

Ho‘okena is in talks to do a Christmas concert on Dec. 13 on Kauai, and leader Horace Dudoit is working on a confirmation. “But I’ll be busy almost every weekend in December,  touring with four-time Grammy winner Kalani Pe‘a,” he said. The Pe‘a gigs will visit Portland and Seattle, in the Pacific Northwest, and at Kahilu Theatre on the Big  and Hawaii Theatre in Honolulu…

And that’s Show Biz…