Category: Music

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CAZIMERO PREPS FOR ‘MELE’ TIME

Robert Cazimero’s Christmas concerts at Chef Chai’s, Dec. 16 through 20, will proceed as planned.

Dinner service begins at 5:30 p.m., with Cazimero at the piano from 6:30 p.m., with his usual chatter and serenades.

 Because of the looming Mele Kalikimaka season, he and his two dancers – Sky Perkins Gora and Keola “Bully” Makaiau  —–  likely will be the ones engaging  in periodic hula, on Hawaiian classics and Christmas selections, befitting the Dec. 25 holiday.

Robert Cazimero

There was a brief closure of the restaurant, due to licensing issues, that threatened the possible cancellation of the Cazimero shows, but issues have been resolved. Or, as Cazimero said the other day, “I’m going to work.”

Chef Chai has been given the green light to reopen after obtaining the proper permit following a change in ownership, according to state officials.

The Hawaii Department of Health had earlier issued the award-winning restaurant a “red” placard for operating without a valid food establishment permit.

New owner Pomaikai Shishido, doing business as Pomaikai Culinary Group, applied for and obtained a permit, DOH said, and now has a green “pass” placard. However, chef Chai Chaowasaree, the original owner, apparently still is a part of the operation, though has no presence on site.

Cost for the Christmas show and dinner is $125 per person, with appetizers and array of regular entrée choices. For reservations availability, call (808) 330-0279 …

Aweau Christmas concert in Wahiawa

Nathan Aweau

Nathan Aweau will be featured in “A Special Christmas” buffet dinner and concert Dec. 20 at the Mango Street Grill, located at 130 Mango St. in Wahiawa.

Gail Mack and Gordon Kim will be the opening act.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with buffet service from 5:45 to 7 p.m. Cost is $78 for adults, $39 for youths 3 to 9  and free for keiki 2 and younger.

Call (808) 627-5451 for pre-sale reservations through Dec. 17…

Las Vegas holiday revue features Richmond, DeLima

Branscombe Richmond

Branscombe Richmond, island actor and singer, tops a roster of island performers for a show Dec. 20 at the Primm Valley Casino & Resort in Las Vegas.

Others taking the stage include Sistah Robi Kahakalau, Frank DeLima,  Kimo Kahoana, Janoe Kalawa, Shawn Ishimoto, Sione Vainku and the Hot Lava Dancers. Comedian DeLima is making his first appearance in Vegas since leaving Honolulu and relocating in a senior residence in “the ninth island.”For admission details, call the resort at (702) 386-7867 …

And that’s Show Biz…

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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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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…

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KEVIN’S OTHER HALF-FACE ON HOLD

This is pure Facebook fare, triggered by Kevin I.’s new EP, “My Continuum,” released last week.

A FaceFollower had a legit query: “How come Kevin shows only half his face on his album cover? Does he have acne?”

Well, I went to the source, and asked Kevin – with a straight face, natch –“Do you have acne?”

The response: “Admittedly, I did have bad acne as a teenager and young man, but decades of meticulous skin care regimens, great dermatologists spending lots of ‘kala’ have improved my skin over the years. And more recently, Korean skincare products have helped, too.”

So why show only half your face now?.

Kevin I.’s half-face depicted on his new EP. Below, his smling full-face.

“The other side (not seen on the EP cover) has a half-smile, too. But is there really the other half?” he said.

The current half-face matter was for art’s sake – a popular European motif.

“Let’s just say we were going for the modern-day male version of the Mona Lisa smile: half smile, half face,” said Kevin, adding: “Joerg Alfter, the graphic designer for the EP, is from Germany, and he’s got that modern, clean, simple design that Europeans are so good at. We wanted a cover that is simple, classy, stylish and different enough to generate conversation and get attention, so from that perspective, it worked.”

Of course, it’s all inventive PR. A gimmick. You asked, he answered.

So, I had another question for Kevin: Are you saving the  other half of your face, which could be shown on the left side for a “Continuum” sequel?

His valid response: “No, but that is a great idea if there’s ever a follow-up recording. We’ll use the other half of the face and call it, what else, ‘My Continuum Part 2.’  What a great idea. I love it.”

‘Twas a good thing  Kevin was showing half of his face, not the back of his head. Then again, he could still launch another series of EPs: Back Again, Back Up, or Head’s Up.

But Kevin has a thing going with his half-face element, so he might embrace a title like, “About Face.”

 My suggestion: skip “My Continuum, Part 2,” and display his entire face, then dub the album “Full Frontal.”  Could be a winnah.

Visit www.kevin-i.com …

Shari shares an important note

Shari Lynn

Shari Lynn is not going to appear at Hula’s later this month, as mentioned in an earlier column — and swiftly corrected and removed. Someone sent a poster — looked real— and I’ve seen it on social media, so it’s a horrid joke.

She sent this note, while on a sea cruise, alarmed about this faux show.

“Hi Wayne

“Thank you as always for mentioning the shows I’m doing, you know how much I appreciate it. However, I am not appearing at Hulas!!! I’m wondering where you heard that, certainly not from me! Kindly let folks know that I will not be there, nor was I booked to be there. 

“In fact, we are in the middle of the Caribbean sea on the Norwegian Joy. And will return on the 27th of the month.”

“Love to you and Vi!”…

OK, correction noted. And hereon out, will only rely on Shari for data on her forthcoming performances.

And that’s Show Biz…