Posted on: Thursday, December 16, 2004

SHOW BIZ
Brothers Cazimero boost pops concert

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

MERRY 'N' BRIGHT: The Brothers Cazimero, fueled by a first-time Grammy nomination earlier last week, certainly delivered a splendid performance, (as did Na Leo Pilimehana) in the Christmas pops concert last weekend at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. The Honolulu Symphony's holiday tinsel largely is dependent on this traditional coupling, and this year's edition captured the mele in Mele Kalikimaka.

Robert and Roland Cazimero maintained their usual brotherly razz of each other, but their recollection of Christmases past ("Away in a Manger" harkened back to Fern School time) reflected the familial spirit of the holidays. At one point at Saturday's concert, after performing "Pua Lili'a," Robert — relishing every nuance — crowed: "That was so good, we should do it again." Amen!

Na Leo's Nalani Choy, Lehua Kalima Heine and Angela Morales singularly and collectively exhibited the true family aspects of the season through eloquence on the expected ("O Holy Night") and the unexpected (Kui Lee's "A Christmas Song"). Morales' remembrance of her late husband, musician Ricardo Morales, was particularly poignant.

Of course, maestro Matt Catingbub was in his element, not only conducting but singing. The symphony chorus, conducted by Karen Kennedy, was joyous.

However, one aspect yet to be resolved: how best to execute that final exit. The audience sing-along, of yuletide favorites with The Caz and Na Leo returning to the stage, begs for more. The wind-up lacks a satisfying closure, and shouts of "hana hou" are futile. How do you close a happy party? Something to ponder. ...

HOLIDAZE: Add Marlene Sai to the Christmas Eve show offerings. She headlines a candlelight dinner from 6 p.m. on Dec. 24 at the Lu'au Garden at the Hale Koa Hotel. And Glenn Medeiros gets the spotlight, same site, from 7 p.m. on New Year's Eve. The shows are open to active duty and retired military and National Guard members and dependents as well as Department of Defense civilians. Call 955-0555. ...

eightOeight's Saturday night dance affair at the Outrigger Waikiki's Main Showroom was such a hit, producer Fran Kirk has booked the act for another show Jan. 22, same site. The Society of Seven Las Vegas (resident acts at the showroom), "Hawai'i Stars" producer Dirk Fukushima and host Carole Kai and husband Eddie Onouye, Edwin Ramones (ex-Krush member) and singer Jan Brenner were among those in the applaudience. ...

Bill Maloney, the creator, writer and executive producer of " 'Ohana Road," hosted by Dale Payson, Anita Hall and Andy Bumatai, finally found one of the race cars he's been looking for. Jay Leno, "Tonight" show host who has been a guest on "Ohana Road," called about the Austin Healey 100, saying, "I have it, and my mechanic is restoring it." Leno invited Mahoney to stop by and see it the next time he's in California. "Ohana Road" airs at 6 p.m. Saturdays and at 11 p.m. Sundays on KITV-4. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Because of a Mainland tragedy last weekend, Honolulu Theatre for Youth actress Janice Terukina had to abruptly depart the ranks of the holiday "Christmas Talk Story," which winds up with performances Saturday and Sunday at Tenney Theatre at St. Andrews Priory. Three subs — actress Monica Cho, playwright (and former actress) Y. York and HTY managing director Louise King Lanzilotti — stepped in, but veteran company member Nara Springer Cardenas should be in the finale this week. "The show must go on, yeah?" commented HTY director Mark Lutwak. ...

Though he's an Olympic silver medalist, Hawai'i's Bryan Clay hasn't earned a lion's share of endorsements like other winning athletes. Why? Clay told Michael W. Perry and Larry Price last Saturday, at their John Dominis brunch show, that sponsorshp deals seldom come to track and field athletes, who essentially live off their wives' income. To which Perry quipped: "That's something we all aspire to." ...

Keahi Del Negro (née Conjugacion), enthused about her recent foray into the New York jazz scene, is moving to the Big Apple Feb. 1, swayed by "a bundle of musical experiences that (I) never imagined happening for me." She gigged Carnegie Hall and a string of clubs — Kavehaz, Triad, Zinc Bar, St. Nicholas Pub, Lenox Lounge — and received a warm reception up and down the jazz scale of notables. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, or fax 525-8055.