MANILA, Philippines - Every Friday evening starting at 9, huge crowds flock to the Bistro Miyake on Annapolis St., Greenhills, San Juan City not only to enjoy the good food and drinks but for something special: The live musical entertainment that makes an evening at the joint truly a delightful, relaxing and memorable experience.
The showband Something Special is the main attraction that has been consistently drawing music enthusiasts and customers to the Friday gig because of its brand of music that features a trove of danceable songs distinguished for their splendid style and smooth vocal blending.
Among the songs in the group’s repertoire that have become favorites of club regulars are hits from the 1970s onwards, such as My Girl, Moon River, Twilight Time, See You In September, The Young Ones, Dancing Queen, Copacabana, Surfin’ USA, Pretty Woman, and many more.
Considered as one of the top showbands in the late ‘70s and ‘80s, Something Special entered the music scene as the second generation of The New Minstrels, then touted as Asia’s most popular showband, until it decided on a change of format and image and shifted to its present moniker.
With its flawless vocal blending and terrific showmanship, Something Special enlivened the night entertainment scene with its regular performances in popular night spots of that era, such as Kachina Lounge, El Camarote Alibi Bar, Cusco Lounge, Tavern On The Square, among others.
It was acclaimed by club habitués and the music industry for its English OPM hits, Smile and I Don’t Love You Anymore.
Previously, as members of The New Minstrels, the band won second place at the third Metro Pop Music Festival for the song, Ikaw, Ako, Tayo, Magkakapatid. As Something Special, it received the bronze award at the Seoul Music Festival for Babae Ka and the Population Commission Special Award at the fifth Metro Pop Festival for Magkaibigan, Nagkaibigan.
After performing in several local concerts, the band was booked for shows in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. It was also signed up by Geraldini, manager of the German group James Last, for a two-year contract for shows in major European cities.
The New Minstrels disbanded when its members decided to pursue individual interests, but reunited in June, 2008 for the Ultimate Minstrels Reunion Concert. The event paved the way for the members to get together again with colleagues and friends from other New Minstrels generations to form a new group, with reinforcement from friends and supporters from other bands.
The group that emerged became known as Something Special, which is making waves in the music scene for its array of catchy, danceable tunes that provide endless entertainment to thousands of fans.
Aside from its hit songs, what helps make every Something Special performance a success is its technical excellence because of the quality instruments and state-of-the-art, all-original US-made sound engineering system (with technical personnel) that it uses, thus ensuring a truly world-class quality of its sound output.
Something Special has been in great demand for engagements not only in the night entertainment circuit, but also in private parties, corporate events and special occasions like anniversaries, Christmas and New Year parties, and others.
The members of Something Special are Grace Pimentel (vocalist); Arlene Arcilla (vocalist); Dong Fernando (vocalist); Bert Escario (lead guitarist/vocalist); Rolly Abalos (bass guitarist); Ariel Vitan (drummer); and Doroteo “Dodong” Salcedo Jr. (keyboardist).
(For details, call Joan Pempengco at 0917-8121537, 288-3401 to 288-3403 and 2874523, fax 287-2859.)