Robert Cazimero’s 75th birthday celebration last night (March 20) at Chef Chai’s was an unprecedented three-hour serenade, characterized by a spectrum of melodies by the maestro of the keyboard.
The champagne flowed, which fueled the formidable mini-marathon, and the vocals prompted impromptu and voluntary hula, validating the local custom of getting up and dancing, if you know the particular number. So, a continuous wave of hula brothers and sisters – solo, or perhaps up to seven or eight — joined the celebratory, mesmerizing moments.
And lei. Plenty of lei were bestowed on Cazimero, nearly burying him head-deep in fragrant pikake and pua keni keni, making him look like a Kamehameha Schools chap on graduation day.
Naturally, his output of tunes – Hawaiian, pop classics, even kid-time numbers – made him appear like a human jukebox, minus the coins needed to fuel the music. This was, emphatically, a command performance before a loyal crowd, mostly of folks who’ve followed him concerts large and small. Cazimero might have stayed till midnight, but the non-stop three-hour session set a record.
And since we’ve reviewed his shows regularly in recent months, we’ll resort to sharing instead a modest gallery of those who danced. And if you know the restaurant’s setting, the aisles are not ideal for dancing, or photographing.
Happy birthday, Robert…may you have more joyous years of serenading. And mahalo, Chai Chaowasaree, for providing Robert a monthly showcase…
Robert Cazimero’s “Pae ‘Aina (Hawaiian for archipelago) concert yesterday (March 17) was a two-part wonderment, celebrating the splendor of hula kahiko (ancient hula) in the first half, and informal chit-chat plus some hula auwana (modern hula) in the second half.
Cazimero, the kumu hula of Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua, was acknowledging the astonishing breadth and roots of male hula and vocalizing, the hallmarks of his gents, at the near sell-out performance at Leeward Community College Theatre.
The opening number: “This Is Our Island Home.”
So, what was on display? Plenty, like the pulse, the professionalism, and the perfection within the halau, reflecting the devotion, the loyalty, the commitment, the camaraderie, and the brotherhood that have been the trademark of Halau Na Kamalei, now in its 49th year of sharing the
mesmerizing and magnificence of hula.
Clearly, Cazimero has shaped and honed his dancers, with choreography and vocals, and the process involves imagination and innovation, with syncopated movement and harmonic singing.
At the launch of the show, the guys rendered “This Is Our Island Home,” which became a medley with “He Aloha Nihoa,” which triggered an island-by-island tour de force, embracing each island with mele, beginning with Kaho‘olawe, Ni‘ihau, Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Lana‘i and Moloka‘I, Maui and the Big Island. With this ‘ohana, no island is left out.
When the company of 20 performs, the spectators have a lot to explore and examine – fingers and hands, feet and legs, arms and knees uniformly perform as one unit; the choreography enables any number of troupers – six, eight, two, four dancers beginning the hula, and two or four or one would easily glide into motion, without skipping a beat. That’s precision.
Hula kahiko — gents dance, kumu Robert Cazimero on pahu.
The lads augment Cazimero’s stint at the piano and pahu (drums), utilizing a number of traditional hula instruments for hula kahiko, like ‘uli ‘uli (percussion gourd), pu ‘ili (bamboo rattle), pu‘ohe (bamboo trumpet) ‘ipu (gourd drum) and kala‘au (rhythm sticks). That’s versatility.
Gunnie, clad in ti leaf skirt and draped in maile, has a solo moment.
As the regular Cazimero viewers know, the gents have nicknames like Bully, Kolohe, Buddy, Gunnie and Puna. There’s even a Brad Cooper in the ranks (he says he’s the original, not the film star) and peers with conventional names, like Nick, Zach, Jonah, Daniel, Parker, and Keola, among others, who emerge and entertain. That’s normalcy.
These guys let their hair down after intermission, in an informal, unscripted, hang-loose segment with panel leaders. Hula brother Manu Boyd had a stint in this section, too. The format was risky, the comments hilarious, the mood spontaneous. That’s humanity.
The finale: Lahela Ka’aihue dances on “Waika.”
Throughout the show, hula sisters like Sky Perkins took the mike to introduce the tour of the archipelago . Another hula sister, Lahela Ka‘aihui joined the company to dance in the finale, “Waika.” That’s fellowship.
Everthing considered, it was a halau of a production…
March 20 is Robert Cazimero’s “39th” birthday, and he’s traditionally celebrating the whole month.
One “party” was his Full Moon concert last night (March 3), at Chef Chai’s, his monthly sold-out gig. But more on this later.
Cazimero, pictured below, is kumu hula of Halau Na Kamalei O Likolehua, the all-gents group of dancers, and the halau and its leader are staging a benefit for the halau at 7:30 p.m. March 17 at Leeward Community Theatre.
Themed “Pae ‘Aina,” the show – still in planning and rehearsing mode – will feature an all-kahiko for Act 1, according to kumu. A unique Act 2 will assemble the halau troupers in three groups (senior dancers, mid-range dancers, and newbie-younger dancers), to reflect the spectrum of the halau members, according to Cazimero.
The show is sort of a prelude to next year’s milestone for kumu Cazimero –- “my 50th anniversary as a hula teacher,” he said — and the halau will return to the Merrie Monarch Festival in 2025. So, it will be a memorable niche in the halau’s history…
But back to Cazimero’s show at Chai’s. It was a marvelous overview including usual serenades of Hawaiian music, in Hawaiian and in English, plus a nostalgic roster of pop tunes. The result; a lei laced with layers of memories and remembrances, of joy and humor, and nostalgic anecdotes from the past.
Robert Cazimero, on keyboards, with dancer Fern (Kapalai ‘Ula Silva).
Examples:
The first song he learned with brother Roland, before they became part of Sunday Manoa and then The Brothers Cazimero was “The Nearness of You,” emblematic of their bond that would establish the bros as a bona fide Waikiki entity, for several decades, including their 1982 to 1994 residency at the Monarch Room, at the fabled “Pink Palace,” aka the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Naturally, Cazimero sang “Royal Hawaiian Hotel,” a classic melody combining Hawaiian and English lyrics.
The mentors who taught him chords and the tricks of the piano were the legendary Mahi Beamer and Loyal Garner.
Tunes still lodged in his memory book, from visits to Disneyland in the past: “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo,” and he sang ‘em all. Even “Meeska, Mooska, Mickey Mouse,” the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse song that today’s kids don’t know.
Bully (Keola Makaiau), dancing to “Leahi,” but victim of a mistake.
His playful moments with featured hula dancers Fern (Kapalai ‘Ula Silva) and Bully (Keola Makaiau) reflected comradery; she was the focus of “Lovely Hula Hands,” with her hula hands graceful as the birds mentioned in the tune; he was the victim of making an error in enacting “Leahi,” the melody about Diamond Head, and the playful miscue meant the dancer had to buy the singer-pianist a drink.
The drink led to the obvious toast and tune, “Drinking Champagne,” with intermittent pauses for Cazimero to take a sip of bubbly.
Don’t expect to hear these songs or chit-chats in future Full Moon Concerts at Chai’s, since Cazimero never repeats and regurgitates his patter and patterns. You get an original each time he’s at bat…
Reflections on last Sunday’s Super Bowl: Marcus Mariota, homegrown football fave, finally made it to the Super Bowl. Well, sorta. The Philadelphia Eagles’ underutilized secondary QB was heard but not seen on the Super Bowl telecast.
Mariota (pictured) narrated that splendid Lahaina Wildfire commercial, that reflected the Maui Strong message, depicting the horrors of that August day, when more than 100 perished and the historic harbor front town was reduced to a charcoal-gray ghost town. The commercial was a preview to the coin toss to begin the battle between the favored San Francisco 49ers and the underdog Kansas City Chiefs. A Lahainaluna football contingent were honored, including four Luna team members, including players Morgan “Bula” Montgomery, Teva Loft, Kaulana Tihada and Kuola Watson who were joined by their coaches Dean Rickard and Garret Tihada and former head coach Bobby Watson…
Then there was actor Jason Momoa (pictured), the Hawaii native, in a T-Mobile clip, even singing and doing a backflip, in the commercial featuring Zach Braff and Donald Faison, who shelved their usual “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” vocalizing. In a comedic set-up, Braff and Faison knock on a door with a plate of wings, and Momoa informs them that the party had been cancelled due to the cable being out. Then, Braff and Faison broke out in song and dance moves, convincing Momoa to switch to T-Mobile 5g home internet while chirping ”What a Feeling” from the 1983 film “Flashdance.” “Aquaman” joins in only to get doused with water…in a splashdance of sorts…
With CBS airing the Super Bowl, it was no surprise to see quick images of “NCIS: Hawaii” co-stars Vanessa Lachey and LL Cool J together…
Of course, Dwayne Johnson, an island native, got camera time, too, but why not? He’s The Rock…
But there was no sign of local boy Bruno Mars, who has a residency at the MGM Resort, but then again, he was busy during the weekend, hosting and opening The Pinky Ring, his new ritzy lounge/bar at the Bellagio resort on the Las Vegas Strip, where the likes of Lady Gaga and Blake Shelton popped in during Super Bowl weekend…
Nyle Hallman dies at 95
Sorry to report the death, on Feb. 14, of Nyle Hallman, widow of Roy Hallman who were co- founders of the Honolulu Boy Choir. She was 95. She also was the longtime accompanist for the choir and the veteran organist of the Central Union Church.
Daughter Kathy Hallman confirmed the death at the family home.
Blake M. Nuibe, who has served as executive director of the world-famous Honolulu Boy Choir, said he and boy choir ohana members Kay Hirasuna, Glenn Seo and Philip Fujimoto, recently gifted Nyle with a Hawaiian floral arrangement to celebrate the new year and to wish her well.
“I conversed with Nyle on Jan. 18 and again on Feb.9,” said Nuibe. “Both times, her mind was sharp, and her spirits were high, but knew her health was flailing. Kathy is heartbroken but very grateful for Nyle’s long. amazing life.”
Nyle and Roy (who died April 20, 2007, at age 82) had a successful and prolific life with the Boy Choir, which they co-founded in 1974, inspired by the Vienna Boy Choir. They enlisted boys 7 to 14 — with or without experience, many with higher-pitched voices due to their young ages – to sing, focus, and to be attentive while standing on risers, unified in voice, and mentored by the Hallmans. The choir toured globally, were fixtures on not only on the concert stage, but in recordings and TV, and for many years did Christmas season concerts, notably featuring their version of “Numbah One Day of Christmas,” at the Monarch Room of the fabled Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
Nyle was a masterful musician, who played harp as well as organ, and has been the organist at Central Union and principal harpist with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra.
Funeral services are pending…
Streetlighters have weekend shows
Streetlight Cadence will do shows on Maui and the Big Island this weekend.
The agenda, part of the group’s ongoing Brighter Than Ever Tour, includes these shows:
–Friday (Feb. 16), at 7:30 p.m., at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s McCoy Studio Theatre. (tickets).
–Saturday (Feb. 17), at 7 p.m., at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea, on the Big Island. Tickets: $40, $70. (tickets)
–Sunday, at 2 p.m., at Hungry Ear Records in Kakaako. Free, with a meet-and-greet after the show. please RSVP here
Broadway grosses, for week ending Feb. 11
“Hamilton” again is the No. 1 draw on Broadway, a skosh ahead of “The King.”
Here’s the top 10:
1—”Hamilton,”$1,565 million.
2—”The Lion King,” $1,504 million.
3—”Merrily We Roll Along,” $1,494 million.
4—” Wicked,” $1,303 million.
5—”Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” $1,260 million.
Hawaii’s superstar, a big draw as a showroom star in Las Vegas, is the barkeep of The Pinky Ring, a ritzy new lounge at the Bellagio resort on the strip on Monday (Feb. 12).
To elevate the opening night, Mars’ long-time band, The Hooligans, will be the resident band for two weeks only. Hmmmm, would Mars take a mike, to share his uptown funk moves, at The Pinky Ring?
“I’ve been performing in Vegas for years, and I’ve always wanted a place where I could throw glamorous parties when I’m in town,” Mars (pictured) said when the project plans first were announced. “A place that felt like my personal penthouse suite, with live music and sensational cocktails. The Pinky Ring is that,” he said.
The Pinky Ring is located on Bellagio’s casino floor where Lily Bar & Lounge once occupied.
Hours will be from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Entertainment will include all kinds of music…
Two more restaurant closures
Sorry to report the upcoming closures of two restaurants.
Paisano, the popular Italian restaurant at Manoa Marketplace, will be shutting down Feb. 17 after 32 years. For theater goers like me, who usually dined there before a Manoa Valley Theatre show, Paisano was a tradition for a hearty, delish dinner before theater. Yes, there are a few other restaurants at the marketplace, but none with the quality of food and swiftness of service. The closure is due to issues with the owner’s health, since no one is able to take over the operations.
Haili’s Hawaiian Food, a popular dine-in, take-out restaurant in Kapahulu, will close in June. Other details are not known…
Super troupers
This is Super Bowl weekend, with Usher (pictured0 headling the halftime show on Sunday, when Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs take on Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers.
To me, Bruno Mars staged the best, most entertaining and cohesive show, with only his band, The Hooligans, pumping up the pulse. No backup singers, no chorus of hoofers, no assembly of marchers/dancers to fill the field and/or multiple stages. And no aerial entrance. or animal prop to trot in. No need. Just Bruno.
So who drew the largest at-home TV audiences at earlier Super Bowls?
The Top 10, with year and viewership:
1—Rihanna, 2023, 121.017 million
2 —Katy Perry, 2015, 121 million.
3–Lady Gaga, 2017, 117.5 million.
4—Coldplay, 2016, 115.5 million.
5–Bruno Mars, 2014, 115.3 million.
6–Madonna, 2012, 114 million.
7–Beyoncé, 2013, 110.8 million.
8– Black Eyed Peas, 2011, 110.2 million.
9–Justin Timberlake, 2018, . 106.6 million.
10—Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, 104 million.
It’s a coveted gig, and only elitist acts get invited to do the party. They’re’s no paycheck for this honor, only the joy of publicity and viewership…
‘Lion King’ back to No.. 1 on Broadway
On Broadway, “The Lion King” has roared back to reclaim No. 1 on the list of grosses:
1 – “The Lion King,” $1,666 million. 2—“Hamilton,” $1,656 million.
3— “Wicked,” $1,602 million
4 — “Merrily We Roll Along,” $1,517 million.
5 — “MJ The Musical,” $1,317 million.
6 – “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” $1,517 million.
7—“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $1,113 million.
