I am in the midst of an overnight staycation in Waikiki.
Oh, it’s such a joyous and super holiday.
It began Sunday (Dec. 15) with a visit to Frank DeLima’s final Blue Note Hawaii show, celebration the 50th anniversary of his show biz career as a stand-up comic. He brought along some iconic figures of his performing life, including Imelda Marcos, Don Ho, , and his notable sumotori.
The Outrigger Waikiki resort showroom was packed with fans and friends, cheering DeLima’s plans to finally retire after five decades of making folks laugh.
Meanwhile, across the street at the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, Cirque du Solei was staging the final two preview shows of its “‘Auana”” spectacle in the refurbished Outrigger Theatre, nearly filled to the rafters enroute to its formal grand opening performance on Wednesday (Dec. 18).
This visionary spectacle, wholly in the Hawaiian language, is an awesome concept show with Cirque’s notable trademark of circus acts fused with compelling storytelling skills and performance. ‘Olelo and mele are shared with passion and skill, signaling a new generation of Waikiki entertainment – acrobats and daredevils, beaucoup hula kahiko, stunning choreography and gorgeous costumes, possibly rendering the customary Hawaiian luau shows obsolete.
Imagine a show without a single word in English. The language and artistry of the Cirque legacy are at stake in this extraordinary endeavor, surely will be a major attraction in the weeks, months, and years ahead. Perhaps, too, that I’ll be back for another staycation, booking a room again at the Beachcomber, thanks to the lure of Cirque and its magic.
We’ll review both shows in the next two days.
And that’s Show Biz…
Hi Wayne,
Glad you got to go down to Waikiki to to see Frank and other shows. Nice break for you and Vi.
Aloha Dolores
Yes, it was a lovely, restful break from the routine. Perhaps we should call it an early Christmas gift to us!