So early on the metro has already started the season to be merry. Last week, Johnnie Walker launched a scotch festival at Café Havana. The Latin beats of Cuba grooved with Manila’s hip and fun pack. It was elbow-to-elbow room the moment Bo Razon’s Puro Ritmo unleashed his high energy percussive performance. The young and fabulous were treated to a shot of Johnnie Black with a dash of clear soda. This new hip drink called Black 7 is fast being the most ordered drink here. That night, Johnnie Walker honored Mike Huang of Rustan’s, Richie Santos of Cinderella, and Richmond Lim of Time Depot. These gentlemen are recognized as young achievers in the retail business. They were all supported by their friends as they all bonded and celebrated with Black 7 until dawn! With doubt, Johnnie Black 7 will have a good hang with Manila’s hedonistic pack.
A few weeks ago, Greenbelt 2’s restaurants and bar strip hosted a cool event. Sculptor Jose Mendoza and son, Giosi Mendoza created original ice sculptures interpreting the Absolut vodka bottle. Cocktails especially concocted for the event using Absolut were given out to guests of the participating establishments: Nuvo, Le Soleil, Temple Bar, Pepato, Uva, Masas, Cena, Segafredo and Magnum. As ear candy, artists of diverse music genres performed such as Trip M, rock group Razorback, reggae proponents Indio I and bossa nova authority Guarana. NBK’s DJ Manolet Dario closed the show with people from the audience and other band members spontaneously joining in and dancing to the beat of percussion instruments. This created an unusual amount of energy in the otherwise laid-back area. This was a fresh idea merging art masterpieces and pop culture in a commercial arena.
Over 20,000 pop music fans were treated to American diva Mariah Carey’s wonderful performance last Sunday at the Fort Bonifacio grounds. Only four days later, singer, movie actress and brand endorser Mandy Moore performed for a one-night concert at the Araneta Coliseum to the delight of her young music fans. How did the numbers compare? Limp Bizkit is also scheduled to include a Manila gig next month as part of their tour.
Not to be outdone in the concert circuit is the local jazz scene who played host to the UK’s multi-instrumentalist Courtney Pine, OBE. 24/7 was able to chat with him at Monk’s Dream last week. The press conference turned out to be an insightful discussion about the jazz scene in Manila and his views of the music of today’s youth. He praised local talents and was happy to hold some workshops through the efforts of the British Council. If you expect his album to be strictly, in his words, "jazz for old people," you’re in for a surprise. He performed with musical talents such as Bituin Escalante, Cookie Chua, and the world-class Jazz Fiesta last Saturday at Crossroads 77.
The Aliw Theater has recently become the host of several concerts of foreign artists in the last few months including Sergio Mendes and Brasil 2000. On the 22nd, they host Stephen Bishop at 8 p.m. singing his greatest hits live with special guest Lani Misalucha.
One, a musical concert featuring top-rate singers including Franco Laurel, Ayen Munji Laurel and Verni Varga will be held at the Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas (Folk Arts Theater), 8 p.m.
Classical fans will enjoy the PPO Concert Series III: Marimba and Orchestra featuring marimbist Dena P. Fernandez and conductor Ruggiero Barbieri at the Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlado, (CCP Main Theater), 8 p.m.
Theater goers will be delighted with two shows to choose from. Stones in his Pockets at the renovated Republic of Malate Theater opens the first of its two-weekend run. It stars Jamie Wilson and Michael Williams. Himala the Musical directed by Soxie Topacio is on its last weekend at the CCP Studio Theater, 8 p.m. This is based on the film directed by National Artist Ishmael Bernal about man’s endless quest for faith. It would have been more interesting had Nora Aunor been contracted to reprise her award-winning portrayal of the faith healer adored and followed by thousands.
On Saturday night, the Timeless Terno Show: A Tribute to Joe Salazar will be held at The Metropolitan Theater.
Many friends in advertising and related fields are now in Baguio City for the 2003 Philippine Advertising Congress. They can expect popular retro nights like Dreambar’s famed DecaDance to be replicated with Boyet Almazan, 10 p.m. tonight at Nevada Square. Back-to-back will be the long-running ManoMission with house music by Manolet Dario and the NBK DJs Djing in Baguio City for the first time at 10 p.m., Saturday, November 22 at Nevada Square. These are open to the public but special privileges and lots of surprises await Globe and GenTxt subscribers.