Robert Cazimero and his Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua will stage a Hawaiian concert of mele and hula at 2 p.m. March 19 at Leeward Community College.
The first of a three-year event, entitled “Journey to the Jubilee,” will be a culturally melodious celebration marking the 50th anniversary in 2025 of kumu Cazimero’s award-winning halau of dancing and singing gents.
The program is presented by the Wahea Foundation.
Tickets — $30, $40, $50 and $65 –are scarce, and a sellout is anticipated.
Check the website for availability: https://www.leeward.hawaii.edu/events/cazimero-halaunakamaleiolililehua/
Services slated March 11 for Joe Recca
Joe “Pekelo”Recca services are set for March 11, at the Kamehameha Schools Chapel.
Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10 10:30 a.m., followed by services.
Recca, the beloved singer with Tihati Productions shows for 35 years, died last Nov. 18. He was 76.
His presence, as a soloist and a duo featuring Patricia Lei Anderson Murray, was a staple in Waikiki, notably at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani’s Ainahau Ballroom.
Recca was one of four children of Kahu Lei and Sal Recca. A graduate of Kamehameha Schools, he was active in music and a beacon in the school’s annual Song Contest.
As a novice entertainer fresh out of school, he was one of the Royal Lads in Haunani Kahalewai’s show at the Royal Hawaiian’s Monarch Room and also one of the stars of the last
Webley Edwards’ “Hawaii Calls” radio program broadcast to Mainland audiences.
He was eloquent in Hawaiian – his mentor was George Kanahele – and served for 25 years as a Waikiki Historian, sharing his knowledge with the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Assn. as a lamakū hoʻokipa (cultural resource) on walking tours with visitors in Waikiki.
Off stage, Recca was no ordinary Joe; he had flair and imagination, always immaculate in fashionable gear, often wearing a fresh lei or island necklace of beads and nuts to punctuate his personal style.
His vocal and stage career came to a halt when he developed throat cancer, which eventually led to his death.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 50 years, Shirley, daughters Elan and Delys, grandson Andrew, sisters Kahu Tina and Gina, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Lei are welcome at the services. Burial date to be announced. …
The masked one still rules Broadway
“The Phantom of the Opera,” the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical with legs, continues to be Broadway’s best in the weekly figures of grosses provided by The Broadway League.
The top seven shows, for the week ending Feb. 26, are:
1 – “Phantom,” with $2.488 million.
2 – “Hamilton,” with $1.944 million.
3 – “The Lion King,” with $1.931 million.
4 – “Wicked,” with $1.781 million.
5 – “MJ,” with $1.715million.
6 – “Moulin Rouge,” with $1.445 million.
7 – “Funny Girl,” WITH $1.333 million.
The complete list:
And that’s Show Biz. …