The Stylistics coming, too!

Curtain-raisers:

• In its episode tonight (11:30 on Studio 23), SALT (Something Alternative) features extreme arts, extreme sports and extreme fun. Kiko Escora the artist becomes Kiko Escora the hairstylist. Watch Sharon Atillo demonstrate the new adrenaline-pumping recreation called Kite Boarding (surfing and power-kiting combined); and Ruth and Esther as the fashionistas and bohemians’ new find. SALT is hosted by Amanda and Jourdan.

• Bon voyage to Willie Revillame who heads a group of ABS-CBN stars scheduled to stage Wowowee "live" in Flushing, New York, on Oct. 22. Willie finally got his B-1/B-2 US visa yesterday. Wowowee also aired "live" from Australia recently.

• If Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos is grinning from ear to ear these days, it’s because her son Ryan Christian won two golds in La Salle where he’s studying, one in an elocution contest and the other for interpretative reading.

* * *

It’s retro time, or haven’t you noticed?

Music-lovers, specially baby boomers, are into a euphoric nostalgia trip down memory lane as they are treated to the music of yesteryear that marks milestones in their lives.

Over the weekend, the likes of Joey de Leon and Dr. Wilson Lim (and wife Lily) trooped to the Big Dome to groove once again to the beat of The Beach Boys (never mind if some of the members were not original) who came just a few weeks on the heels of The Cascades.

Come Dec. 29 and 30, The Stylistics will perform at the PICC Plenary Hall, back to back with The Hitmakers (Rico J. Puno, Hajji Alejandro, Marco Sison and Rey Valera). I’m sure that the enduring sound of The Stylistics will, to quote a line from their song, make us feel brand-new. Becha by golly, wow, aren’t you excited to listen to their songs again, "live"? (Note: Tickets to the concert produced by Viva Concerts & Events are priced at P3,500 Flat Area, P3,000 Level 2, P2,500 Level 3 and Pl,000 Balcony. For inquiries, call all SM Ticketnet outlets at 911-5555, Ticketworld outlets National Bookstore branches at 891-9999, PICC box office at 551-6296 or Viva offices at 687-6181 locals 620 to 715.

But before that, Gary Lewis and The Playboys (Lewis’ ex-wife is Jinky Suzara, a Filipina) will have a concert at the Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 28, Manila Hotel on Oct. 29 and in Angeles City on Oct. 30. I’m sure fans of the group are eager to hear again such songs as Save Your Heart For Me, Everybody Loves a Clown, Sure Gonna Miss Her, The Diamond Ring and many others. (Note: Tickets to the concerts produced by Mane ‘n Tail, Manila Hotel and Steve O’Neal Productions are priced at P2,200, Pl,800, Pl,000, P500 and P200 for the Big Dome; and P3,500 for Manila Hotel, available at all SM Ticketnet outlets, Araneta Coliseum box office and at the Manila Hotel.)

Okay, then. Keep the music playing. There’s nothing more uplifting than listening to old familiar songs, ‘no?

Kuh’s ‘Edifice Complex’

Oops, that’s an exaggeration. No, Kuh Ledesma doesn’t really put up buildings (edifices), only theaters.

First, Kuh built the now historic Music Museum in 1988. It got burned and was soon reconstructed. Then, followed the Republic of Malate (on M.H. del Pilar, Manila) in 2000. To date, both are favorite venues for concerts, plays and other events.

Don’t look now but Kuh has just built another theater, similar to the Republic of Malate, at the ground floor of the Promenade in Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila, which can sit as many as 300 people. Architect Eduardo Malinaw and his crew are working double time, with Kuh herself supervising the finishing touches. Watch for its opening soon.

Kuh has been working closely with business partner Precy Florentino.

"Kuh is the type of person whose mind doesn’t sleep," said Precy, Kuh’s long-time friend. "She is forever conceptualizing something."

The launch of Kuh’s new theater is in line with the celebration of her 25th anniversary in showbiz. Kuh has just finished the month-long staging of Diva 2 Diva Upclose with Zsa Zsa Padilla at the Mandarin Oriental’s Captain’s Bar (where Mitch Valdes’ A Rocking Comedy, also produced by Kuh, is on extended run).

Fr. Corsie’s Healing Sked

Here’s Fr. Corsie Legaspi’s healing schedule for the rest of October:

• Oct. 14, Friday, 1 to 5 p.m., at the Coming Home Retreat and Meditation Center, Binakayan, Cavite.

• Oct. 15, Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m., at the Coming Home Retreat and Meditation Center, Binakayan, Cavite.

• Oct. 17, Monday, 1 to 6 p.m., at the Sta. Ana Parish Church, Mexico, Pampanga.

• Oct. 24, Monday, 1 to 5 p.m., at the Philippine Coast Guard, South Harbor, Manila.

• Oct. 29, Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Retreat: Managing Your Love Situation, at the Coming Home Retreat and Meditation Center, Binakayan, Cavite.

(Note: For further inquiries, call 046-434-8759 or 046-878-0069, 1 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; look for Richard.)

(E-mail reactions at [email protected])