Comedian Andy Bumatai on April 30 marked 365 continuous days of his Daily Pidgin LiveBroadcast on www.Twitch.tv/AndyBumatai.
He dispenses chit-chat with music, storytelling, a joke here and there. Suddenly, a few days became weeks, weeks became months, and months became a year.
Fans frequently opens snail-mail him gifts on camera. He receives unexpected phone calls from locals who may be from home, and perhaps homesick, like surfer Gerry Lopez calling from Mexico. Folks all over have showered him to mahalos and congrats for the loooooong and unexpected year’s run.
“I know you’re normally not on Twitch, but mahalo for coming over, making it such a marvelous experience,” he said of crossover viewers/listeners from Facebook and the Twitterverse.
The dandy stand-up comic spends his days sitting in his bedroom-cum-studio to connect and converse and ultimately kid around with his listeners. His style is conversational, his comedy crisp, his timing natural and impeccable, and in real life, it’s a jolly dose of island seasoning to wash away the pandemic blues.
He’s got his own pidgin theme song, and since he’s cruising solo over the internet, he’s his own boss on his own clock.
Asked if he intends to ever return to Blue Note Hawaii, a conventional venue where he’s logged several appearances, he admits, “Probably not. I’m making as much or more working here,” and the convenience of virtual conversations straight from awakening from bed and brushing his teeth, he’s become a self-made sit-down comic. And pidgin has been his powerhouse vehicle.
Donations to support his work can be made at http:Andy Bumatai.live/tip
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A drive-in concert
“Moonlight Mele,” at 6:30 p.m. May 7 at the Aloha Stadium parking lot, is an evening of Hawaiiana. You drive up in your wheels, and tune via your FM radio.
No movies, but a lot of mele is on the agenda, with a string of Island favorites celebrating National Nurses Week with a drive-in concert. Since pandemic protocols prevent large crowd gatherings, you watch with your bubble of family and friends, hopefully with all vaccinated for safety.
The performers include Josh Tatofi, Amy Hanaiali’I, Sean Na’auao, Robi Kahakalau, Del Beazley, Jeff Peterson, Ei Nei, Hoku Zuttermeister and Kala’e Camarillo.
Tickets are $75 per vehicle (at www.hawaiithetre.com), or $100 at the gate. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.
HA.KA. Entertainment Hawaii Stage and Lighting are the presenters.
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And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Dear Wayne, Andy Bumatai just told us about your new website during his Daily Pidgin show. Thanks for writing such a great article about the show! We all enjoy it very much and it is awesome to see Andy getting the recognition. I will definitely be spending some time looking around wayneharada.com!
what a great story on Andy Bumatai… we get only the best vibes from his Daily Pidgin Live chat twitch show. I found your story from watching today on the DPL live today and want to say mahalo for highlighting the creative ‘switch to twitch’ that Andy Bumatai pulled off.
Andy Bumatai has staying power! He has spanned many decades as a star in Hawaii’s constellation of comedy super stars! And a great guy! ??
Andy works tirelessly on his craft, and his virtual YouTube channel is where the fun is. Much in pidgin. Hilarious and honest.