CERTAINLY, ‘MOON’  IS CASUAL FUN

There are three certainties at Robert Cazmero’s once-a-month Full Moon Concert at Chef Chai’s on Kapiolani Boulevard:

• You can’t predict what the singer-pianist will  share, since the serenades are informal, impromptu and inviting, as I’ve mentioned here before. Whatever Cazimero programs, it will be casual fun and gratifying; he has no formal playlist so anticipation is the rule.
• Spontaneity is the prevailing element; he’ll start one tune and could halt and render another, because his repertoire is like his mind: in real time, it’s his choice to keep or change the momentum. A human jukebox, he uncorks what he feels, a challenge for his pair of hula dancers Sky Perkins Gora and Bully Keola Makaiau. Worry not, they’re accustomed to his pace.
• Chai Chaowasaree’s food will always be ample and delish, from an array of appetizers, your choice of entree, and dessert. I always select the Mongolian-style lamb chops and eat half with enough to box for lunch (or dinner) the next day. Oh, and if you get full quickly like me, ask to box your dessert, too; the coconut cake will be a pleasure the day after.

So last night’s (Sept. 15) Full Moon event had elements and moments to remember. It began with “Sing Me a Song of the Islands,” the start of a lei of melodies like “One Paddle, Two Paddle,” “Hanalei Moon,” “The Cock-Eyed Mayor of Kaunakakai,” even if the lei is comprised of plumeria, pikake and ginger, unlikely but fragrant. By the time Cazimero calls for hula maiden Perkins Gora, he’s into “The Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua Hawaii,”  which segues into “Wahine Ilikea,”  linking a good-fun touristy tune with a love song about romantic courtship.

By the time Bully is summoned, he – and we watchers – anticipates the unexpected, and we’re all laughing. Sorry, I don’t know the title of the frisky Hawaiian ditty, but he had a gleeful, energetic hula workout.

More hula  was provided by Perkins Gora on the soothingly nostalgic “Waikiki,” and Bully had the frisky, fun-filled “Holo Holo Kaa” novelty.

There was yet another hula stylist – in the audience. Aunty April rendered “Ei Nei” from her seat, and Cazimero said that hula can be done anytime and anywhere so why not a sit-down hula?  This kupuna was at a previous Full Moon concert, sitting next to me, and she has grace and integrity.

If you’re a Full Moon regular or a newbie, Cazimero will be behind Chai’s grand piano three more times this year: Oct. 6, Nov. 3 and Dec. 11. Call (808) 585-0011 or visit www.opentable.com …

And that’s Show Biz…