Jack Jones, The Circus Band & The New Minstrels in ‘V’ shows

All the Christmas stuff have just gone into storage and we were all looking forward to a few restful days and maybe relaxing strolls at the malls and traffic free streets. But then there came the news. Jack Jones will be in town for Valentine’s Day. Yes, Jack Jones the guy who sang She and What I Did For Love is coming over to do some shows on Valentine’s Day.

How is that for a wake-upper? We now have only 32 days to go until Feb. 14. Well, it is not as big a celebration as Christmas Day. But it is still big out here and think about the resulting chaos as everybody tries to cram their love lives into one day or in this year’s case, mercifully, one weekend. With the whole town determined to be out on romantic dates on those days, we will surely be faced with crowded malls, restaurants, theaters and more massive traffic jams. I am now seriously entertaining the thought of just staying home.

On the other hand though, the Valentine season has also become a time when we could look forward to a great selection of live shows to watch. It is best foot forward for all performers on those days and first to announce its offerings is Viva Live. And so here it is. For this year, we are getting Jones, the most enduring singing heartthrob of all time, and that merry bunch of Circus Band and New Minstrels graduates, who headlined five sold-out shows last year and left everybody begging for more.

Audiences had loads of fun reminiscing as they danced, laughed and sang along to their favorite tunes from the ’70s era. So those who missed all that and the many who are in the mood for a repeat will get their chances this year. We Got The Love, the Greatest Hits Reunion Concert will be held at the Plenary Hall of the PICC at the CCP Complex on Feb. 13 and 14 and at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City on Feb. 15. 

The whole gang will be back for the shows. Hajji Alejandro, Pat Castillo, Jacqui Magno, Tillie Moreno and Basil Valdez from The Circus Band and Eugene Villaluz, Louie Reyes, Ding Mercado, Ray-Ann Fuentes, Joey Albert and Chad Borja will once more be performing those songs that endeared them to the clubbing set of the Martial Law years. And take note, they are preparing lots of new numbers for these shows. I wonder if this means that they will now find the space to include a Chicago or ABBA medley of hits.

Speaking of hits, hit songs are also what everybody will be looking forward to at the Jack Jones Valentine concert. This guy has been entertaining fans all over the world with his impeccable vocals and wondrous choice of songs for over 50 years. His shows will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 13 and at the Manila Hotel Tent on Feb. 14. I do not know if he will have a different song line-up or something else in these shows. What I am sure of is if you want to go out and have a good time with beautiful old songs, the Big Dome will do just fine. 

But if you want your Valentine’s Day celebration to be a dressed-up affair with dinner with your special date in a fabulous setting then you will just have to go to the Manila Hotel. This will also be for a good cause as proceeds will be donated to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.

Jones is the one who will complete the romantic ambience with his music. Chances are these will include Lollipops And Roses, What I Did For Love, If You Go Away, The True Picture, The Impossible Dream, A Day In The Life Of A Fool, What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life, The Summer Knows, She, The Windmills of Your Mind, Lady, Where Love Has Gone, With One More Look At You, maybe although it does not sound as romantic, but because, it was a huge, huge hit, also the theme from the TV show Love Boat.

Tickets prices to the Jack Jones Smart Araneta concert are available at Ticketnet 911-5555 and at Viva Concerts 687-7236: Patron A, P5,000; Patron B, P4,000; Lower Box, P4,000; Upper Box A, P2,000; and Upper Box B P1,000. Check Manila Hotel or Viva Concerts for the dinner show.

As for We Got The Love — The Greatest Hits Reunion Concert you can go to Ticketnet 911-5555; SM Tickets 470-2222; TicketWorld 891-9999; PICC 789-4734; and Viva Concerts 687-7236 for your tickets.