Another month, another Full Moon Concert.
That’s been the agenda for veteran entertainer Robert Cazimero, who vocalizes and plays piano each full moon night .
And so it was on Sunday (Sept. 19) at Chef Chai’s on Kapiolani Boulevard.
The joyous element is familiarity and form. When Cazimero is stationary and confined to his piano, his personality and ease reign; it’s almost like a living room concert amid friends and family. And that’s the formula: intimate and inviting, like a private party. So yes, the tunes and memories see-saw and evoke smiles and happy remembrances.
On this night, the songfest started with a cluster of familiar faves, including “Molokai Nui Ahina,” “At the Royal Hawaiian Hotel,” “At Home in the Islands,” and “I’ll Remember You.” We remember him, too, with fondness galore. After all, his style is legendary, his live shows infrequent, yet he shows up once a month, and glows like the moonlight.
The tune tour is nostalgic. With “Edelweiss,” he creates images of the Alps, then jumps to “Hawaiian Hospitality,” “Holo Holo Kaa,” and “Only You,” familiar turf with playful hula by Sky Perkins Gora and Bully Keola Makaiau, longtime regulars who add moon-night merriment despite the difficulties of hulaing among diners in a crowded full house.
Yep, there’s always a non-cast guest appearance. On this eve, his sister Kanoe, offers a warm and comforting hula, celebrating her belated birthday, and provides the spectators a gift of dance.
With Cazimero’s fondness of all kinds of music, he shares a true mixed plate, ranging from a nostalgic pop ballad of the past, “It’s Impossible” (think Perry Como), to a sandwich of movie-theme favorites, “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dan” (“Song of the South”), “Whistle a Happy Tune” (“The King and I”) and “When You Wish Upon a Star” (“Peter Pan”). The point: his grasp and knowledge of titles and shows know no bounds.
The pendulum swings wide and often, with his comedic “Let’s Have One on the House” contrasting the fragile one of his Brothers Cazimero trademark, “Kuuipo I ka Hee Pue One.”
For his final entry, he whipped out one of his favorite Christmas carols, “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” surely out of season but not out of style. It was a gentle reminder of his holiday songfest Dec. 15 through 19 at Chef Chai’s. …
And that’s Show Biz. …