An array of Valentine shows

Ever since some enterprising promoter discovered that date night on Valentine’s Day can also mean packed show night, Feb. 14 and the few days before and after have become the show times of the year. It is the time for all types of artists to do their most special gigs. It is also the time for producers to invest and know that because of the unusually large audience turnout, they will get a huge or at the very least a decent return on their investments.

Here is a list of some of the best scheduled for this week, the shows that I can guarantee will not have you squirming in your seats. All that you will get will be music, assorted types, pop, classic, rock, R&B, etc., but always very good. Lucky are those with the funds and the time and who will be able to watch all of these. If you are not one of those, pick one or two and then enjoy.

Seasons of the Heart, tomorrow, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom of the Dusit Thani Hotel Manila. This is an elegant evening of swinging standards, well-loved songs from musical theater and classical favorites with Stephanie Reese and Raymond Lauchengco. Special guest is businessman-tenor George Yang while providing the music will be Mel Villena and the AMP Band. A delectable four-course dinner from the Dusit kitchen awaits buyers of the VIP (P5,000) and Premier (P4,800) tickets. If you prefer to have dinner elsewhere, you can still enjoy the show alone for P3,800. 

The US-based Stephanie’s last gig was at the Pearl Gala Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington D.C. She performs all over the world and is a well-known charity fundraiser. Raymond, who also directs the show, is an actor and singer. He was one of the original Bagets kids and was responsible for the big hits, Farewell, So It’s You, Saan Darating Ang Umaga and others. Prepare for a romantic evening of memorable love songs and in keeping with Stephanie’s passion for charity work, proceeds from Seasons will benefit World Vision and the Klassikal Music Foundation.

A Very, Very, Very Viva Valentine, Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila. If you are in the mood for a combination of fantastic voices and humor, then this is the show for you. The Ultimate Balladeer Basil Valdez Ngayon At Kailanman, You, Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan and pop music’s one and only vamp, Verni Varga, Kahit Isang Saglit, You’ll Always Be My Number One meet up with Jon Santos and his all-star cast of one for a fun, musical evening.

Love X 3, Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. also at the NPAT of Resorts World. Fans of Freestyle probably thought this would never happen. But it will and on Valentine’s Day, at that. The band’s original composer and keyboardist Top Suzara and original girl singer Jinky Vidal are performing together for the first time after six years apart. That was one nasty parting of ways. But all is forgiven and pop music lovers will love to hear them do Before I Let You Go and So Slow again. And as if that were not enough, the enduring pop band Side A of Forevermore, So Many Questions, Tell Me and other hits also topbills the show. 

All For Love, Feb. 14 and 15 at 8 p.m. at the Music Museum in Greenhills. This is music overload with the powerhouse cast of Eugene Villaluz, Pat Castillo, Ding Mercado, Louie Reyes, Ray-an Fuentes, Jacqui Magno, Chad Borja and Joey Albert. They are all former members of The New Minstrels and Circus Band and All For Love is the biggest offshoot ever of their long-running 70s Today concert series. Time to take a look back at those club dates on Roxas Blvd. when Circus and the Minstrels were the bands to watch. Get ready to jive, swoon and sing along with your favorite love songs.

The Return of Paramore Live! Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. This is for those of you who go awww! over Valentine treats and sentimental love songs. You can end the week rocking with Paramore instead. One of the greatest and I must say most successful bands of recent times, Paramore is made up of Hayley Williams, the girl with the orange hair who is also today’s sexiest rock chick, Jeremy Davis and Taylor York.

Paramore’s first visit three years ago packed the MOA concert grounds with 19,000 fans, so I have a feeling that the return show will be no different. The tunes that the group’s Pinoy fans expect to see them perform live are the hits Crushcrushcrush, The Only Exception, Misery Business, and those movie tunes, Monster from The Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon and Decode and I Caught Myself from Twilight.