Robert Cazimero’s so-called monthly Full Moon Concerts continue to attract loyalists at Chef Chai’s. However, the event no longer adheres to the lunar glow.
Reason: the casual serenades – this month’s show was last night (July 13), though this month’s actual full moon was on July 10 — are scheduled according to the entertainer’s mainstream work and travel agenda. And Sundays appear to be the convenient playdate, even though the August show will be on a Friday.
Further, December dates are not yet finalized, but will be staged on several evenings because this slate will comprise his Christmas concert gift to the community. So stay tuned to the announcements and sign up early; the shows will be sold out.
Cazimero’s opening number last night was “Sing Me a Song of the Islands,” and that’s kind of his modus operandi. He programs numerous island tunes, some in Hawaiian, some in English, some from left field. But he homers because of candid control. Nostalgia is a common trait – think stories of his first three years at Hongwanji Mission’s grade school, before he switched to Fern School. “I thought I was Japanese,” he chimes with a mischievous tone, then he quickly shares a verse of a folk song in Nihongo.
A lot of elements are predictable, but nonetheless precious. Like hula by Sky Perkins Gora and Bully Keola Makaiau, who share storytelling with hands, in perfect cadence in difficult, crowded walk space between tables.
Cazimero says it like it is; he tossed darts to a noisy audience a month ago. “You guys the best,” he alludes to this evening’s audience.
He recalls Kui Lee visiting Kamehameha Schools when he was a student, capping the stroll down memory lane with “Days of My Youth;” and watching Don Ho at the now-gone Duke Kahanamoku’s at the International Market Place. which punctuates this remembrance via a rendering of sHo’s signature, “I’ll Remember You.”
Sitting behind his grand piano, he sips his favorite bubbly, and as the glass empties, another filled one appears. The Louis Vuitton Veuve Cliquot champagne is his magic potion. (It really works!)
Cazimero’s songbook also includes two Dennis Kamakahi classics, “Wahine Ilikea” and “Pua Hone,” which he renders separately and provides meaningful stories of meanings. And guest performers get brief performance time, like Sistah Robi Kahakalau joining Cazimero at the piano, and his beloved “Aunty April” sharing her classic “Ei Nei,” hula but this time standing (instead of a sit-down hula).
Our grandnephew Sgt. John Rhoades, now stationed at Schofield Barracks, visits his Uncle Robert, flashing shaka and smiles.
Next month’s endeavor, clearly, will be entirely different. And if he sings “Zippity-Doo-Dah,” the Disney evergreen from “Song of the South,” you can count on his mode of informal but incisive fun…
And that’s Show Biz…
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Robert Cazimero concerts
Where: Chef Chai, at 1009 Kapiolani \Blvd.
When: Aug. 29, Sept. 14, Sept. 28, Oct. 28; November and December dates to be announced
Schedule: Dinner service, from 5:30 p.m; show at 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $109, includes complete meal, from appetizers, choice of entrée and dessert.
Reservations: (808) 581-0011.
