wayneharada.com

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 50^th 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…

Moving right along, today’s countdown visits a familiar realm, where a few holiday images create a piece of art…

No. 16—Another shadowbox with a Santa, a tree, a stocking, a bell, a cupcake, and, well, it hollers Christmas to me. Simple but splendid. Once you gather your ornaments, takes only a few minutes to assembled. And don’t forget a stand to lean it on, or prep it for a wall destination

Still with me? Our Christmas Countdown continues with No. 15, a decor that reflects the environment…

No. 15 –I’ve had this wooden tree for years, purchased at Pier 1 Importsd; earlier ones were stained red or green. Decorated the wooden green one, if I recall, and presented it with cube decorations several seasons ago, to my cousin  who’s an artist. (Translation: little surprises her, when it’s art).  She lives in Washington state amid rustic woods, so this tree version, with au natural ornaments of tiny circular stumps from a real tree branch, suit the recipient and environment.

Streetlight Cadence, the folk-rock/alt-rock band born on the streets of Honolulu, continues to amaze and evolve.

In a sorta reunion concert last night (Dec. 13) at the Hawaii Theatre, the current core members of SLC – Jon Andrew Franklin on electric violin and lead vocals, Ben Chai on banjo, and Clara Stegall on guitar and infrequent vocals—assembled with other members with ties to group, as well as with a couple of newbies

A flashy light show was a surprise element, with bolting rays of dancing lights and alternating hues of red and blue and yellow keyed to thumping, expressive musicianship. It was a language of Wow! and Now! and yes, even Pow!

At the end of two hours, this much was certain:

• Franklin, the group’s emcee and principal lead voice and composer, has a lot of energy and creativity but also a lot of anxiety and angst linked to the rise and fall of SLC.  He also is the key composer and his music is autobiographical, dealing with a traumatic Los Angeles experience and the ongoing quest of finding and shaping elusive success. His lyrics suggest he’s hurt, he’s hungry but he’s healing a skosh. He describes himself as “the haole boy from Texas,” but he’s blended with locals with his HPU classes here.

• The group nearly folded a few times but survived internal friction. One of the pioneering members, Brian Webb on electric cello, has moved on, escaping the quest of fame and those Will Sing for Food campaigns.
•  The group still has a loyal Hawaii following; though the concert was not a sellout, many fans showed up, many bearing gifts, with a lot of seniors or near-seniors and flock of family members.

• Couldn’t tell, from my seat, who returned for the reunion, but most of the following appeared: Evan Arashiro on drums, Chaz Umamoto on guitar,  Jesse Shiroma on  accordion and foot percussionist and Matt Mariconda on guitar. Maia Wolf on cello was listed as a returnee, too.

SLC possesses showmanship and flair, but the group should self-examine and consider pacing frustration with triumph, seeking a bit of positive to balance the negative. Streetlight Cadence, hopefully, will earn and discover the joys of success, but for now, they’re still a work in progress.

Perhaps these images from the concert reflect where the band is now…

And that’s Show Biz…