Hale Koa Kalia Ballroom NYE

 Wasn't planning on going out New Year's Eve till Willow asked (at a Wasabi gig) if I was attending Al Waterson's Karaoke Banquet Show. I thought a second about Karaoke on NYE and went flaccid.  I told her, "No thanks, I'll likely stay home rather than brave the traffic and road blocks."

She then shared that Gary Moore (who had just done a smoking set w/Wasabi) was recruited by Al Waterson to star in his NYE Show.  Say no more...I was sold 'cause I knew that Gary Moore could bring it and make it a party.

Made it to town in good time. Picked up my date and headed to the Hale Koa. Parking was sweet. Got there early enough to slip right in.

Wasn't sure where the event was so used my ESP to guide me. Wrong Manong. Ended up at another event so went to the front desk after Willow called and told me she was running late. Said to meet Charlie at the front desk.

Charlie was there getting the tickets. After a bit Willow called again and said she was in the parking lot and would meet us at the Ballroom.

Richard/Cher were running late so the 3 of us went in 'cause Sarah was starvin' Marvin. We got our seats and hit the line. The food was okay, Sarah thought it was incredible. Hypoglycemia will do that to a person. Like they say, "Hunger is the best condiment." For such a scrawny little thing she ate a fair amount. (I usually drop more food off my plate than she eats.) I thought, "Good, now she won't run out of gas!"

Seated across from us at our table were Ed and Rachel Ramsey. We started chatting during dinner. Turns out that Ed was a Col. in the US Cavalry and led the last mounted charge in US Army history. He was stationed in Bataan and survived the death march and years as a POW. A real American Hero! He is 94 still very sharp and has a website. I googled "Ed Ramsey last charge" and it took me there. Wow, what an amazing start to a special evening.

There was a Piano player knocking out standards. Amazing renditions of the American Song Book Classics I grew up with. So wanted to dance but Sarah needed Calories. She finished in time for one dance before the pianist stopped. Sigh.

There was some light canned dance music so we warmed up to that. At 9 PM Waterson started and did covers that got the "Greatest Generation" on the floor for twirls. Lot of belly bumpers that gave everyone an excuse to hold their sweeties a little closer. Fox Trots mostly but you could Rumba, slow Bachata and Argentine Tango too.

After about an hour the crowd was getting restless. Hey, it was New Year's Eve!

Al started the show segment by introducing Little Richard. Never seen Gary in character, he...... was.....Little Richard! As soon as he started belting "Tutti Fruity" people swarmed and packed the floor ecstatic to shake the junk in their trunk. Now it's a party!!! His voice is awesome and rap between songs perfect. You'd a swore he was the real thing.

After a short break w/more canned music Al did a few more tunes and rapped while Gary did another costume change.

Sammy Davis was introduced to loud but curious applause. (This was another first for most of the attendees.) Wow, as you can see he looked the part and if you closed your eyes had the voice down. He started with a light patter but then when he started singing the sold out room went dead silent, mesmerized. No one danced, they just sat there stunned! What pipes! The applause was deafening for every offering.

After a couple of songs I couldn't stand it anymore. I've had the pleasure of dancing many times to Gary w/Wasabi but seeing Gary in character killing it tuned a great experience into a fantasy. Never got the chance to dance to Sammy and this was as good as it gets so we danced on a corner of the floor. A couple of others braved a twirl too. His last song was "I gotta be me." You know how some music inspires, moves and transports you to a different plane? How it can set you free for a few perfect golden moments? We were moved by this song and moved to that moment we all dance for. Sigh, best dance of the night for me.

After Gary stayed on stage and did some covers with Al and requests till the count down where we all toasted in the New Year.

If you get a chance to hear Gary Moore you won't regret it. I hear they are having a Legends Show in February.  I'll keep you posted.

Pat Lambrecht helped me edit Gary's shots, that's why they look so good!

Happy Belated New Year,

R