James Ingram Live in Manila

The singer behind classic love songs "Just Once," "Whatever We Imagine," and "I Don't Have the Heart" plus duets with Patti Austin "How Do You Keep the Music Playing" and "Baby Come to Me" is here in the Philippines to spend his birthday (he turned 62 last February 16) and post-Valentine's with the Filipino concert goers.

James Ingram will be having a concert tonight in Manila at the SMART Araneta Coliseum (February 17) and in Cebu at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Lahug City on February 18, with special guest Lea Salonga. Look forward to a night of great music by great talents.

Filed under SHOWS

January 2012 Concert Scene

Katy Perry, the international sexy singing sensation, is back in Manila for the "Katy Perry California Dreams Tour" on January 22, 2012 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. Get ready to see her perform smashing pop hits such as “California Gurls”, “E.T.”, “Last Friday Night (TGIF)”, “Hot and Cold”, “I Kissed a Girl” and more! For those who missed Katy Perry's 2009 concert in Manila, this is your chance to see her live!

Ticket Prices:
Diamond (Reserved Seating) 10,448
Titanium (Free Seating) 6,844
Gold (Free Seating) 3,710
Silver (Standing) 1,620
Bronze (Standing) 889

For more information and ticket reservation, visit www.smtickets.com or call SM Tickets at 470-2222 .





After the successful release of her first music CD, Philippine showbiz darling Anne Curtis will have her first ever major concert.

VIVA Concerts and Events proudly presents "Annebisyosa....No Other Concert World Tour: Anne Curtis LIVE!" on January 28, 2012 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Ticket Prices:
PATRON A (Reserved Seating) 3,000
PATRON B (Reserved Seating) 3,000
LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) 2,500
UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) 1,500
UPPER BOX B 700

Tickets are now available at all Ticketnet outlets. Call 911-5555 or visit www.ticketnet.com.ph for more details.



Filed under SHOWS

Up Close with David Foster & Friends

David Foster, the Canadian musician, record producer, singer, songwriter and arranger noted for discovering talents such as Michael Buble, Josh Groban and Charice Pempengco, and responsible for producing records for the likes of Celine Dion, Toni Braxton, Madonna, Air Supply and Michael Jackson, came to the Philippines in 2010 for a concert titled Hit Man: David Foster & Friends where friends were Peter Cetera, Natalie Cole, Ruben Studdard, the Canadian Tenors and Charice.

Hit Man Returns: David Foster & Friends

(standing l-r) Philip Bailey, Michael Bolton, David Foster

and Russel Watson; (seated l-r) Ashanti and Charice

The Hit Man returns for the second time in the Philippines, again with Charice, but this time with new friends -- Philip Bailey, American R&B and soul singer, and one of the longtime members of Earth, Wind & Fire; Michael Bolton, American singer and songwriter, best known for his soft rock ballads and the long curly blonde hair he used to sport way back; Ashanti, American R&B, hip-hop and soul singer and actress; and Russel Watson, English tenor who released albums with both operatic-style and pop songs.

Charice

At the press conference for the Hit Man Returns: David Foster & Friends last October 24 held at the Marriott Hotel Manila, Charice was the very first to arrive. She gamely posed solo and even called her mom to join her when a photographer requested it. Then the rest of the performers arrived with their entourage consisting of road managers and burly bodyguards and at once, the exchange of pleasantries with the press started.

Ashanti and David Foster

Opening the press conference, David Foster expressed that he brought back the tour in the Philippines,"It is only in the Philippines that I've experienced people singing every line of every song in the concert. It's just amazing!" But he also shared the news that he ended his long stint with Warner Bros. and signed up with Universal Records and since Charice stays on with Warner, David Foster will no longer produce songs for his protege and goddaughter. "December 1st will be my first day at Universal Records so come December 1st, I won't be able to produce for Charice anymore because I can't take her with me." However, he assured that he would continue to perform with Charice on stage, "As for touring, I hope for many years that we will always tour together as long as she has the time, " he adds, "I love having her and she loves being with me and that's not going to change."

Philip Bailey and Michael Bolton

Charice echoes the same sentiments, "I always tell David that I'm always here for him. He's always been there for me and if he needs me, I'm in. We're a team."

Charice's self-titled international debut album under Warner Bros has reached the Platinum level in the Philippines and a surprise awarding was done at the end of the press conference.

Platinum Record Awarding

The Hit Man Returns: David Foster & Friends took the Smart Araneta Coliseum by storm last October 25, even if two other concerts happened on the same night -- Black Eyed Peas in SM MOA open grounds and Libera at PICC.

Filed under SHOWS

American Idol Live Tour in Manila

American Idol Season 10 finalists and winners are on tour and all of the 11 finalists are here in Manila, having arrived early this Saturday morning, just a few hours before the press conference at the Manila Hotel. It was a hot day and I braved traffic just so I can see them in person, among them grand winner Scotty McCreery, Filipina Thia Megia and my bet James Durbin (did any of you catch my twit about James?). Usually, only the top 10 go on tour but there are 11 talents due to a save by judges Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez.

Scotty McCreery and Thia Megia

Stefano Langone and Haley Reinhart

I arrived at the venue in the nick of time as they were being introduced one by one. As they answer questions from the press and guests, I felt that all of them are really passionate about music and that they all have worked really hard to get where they are today. Pia Toscano, for one, shared that she was rejected a lot of times in other auditions, including American Idol season 9 but that didn't stop her to improve and try again for season 10.

Jacob Lusk and Naima Adedapo

James Durbin and Casey Abrams

When asked about what advice they can give to young and aspiring singers and musicians, they were unanimous in saying not to ever give up and never let other people take away the dream. At which point rocker James Durbin bursts into a song, "Don't stop...believing..." with his trademark powerful voice.

Paul McDonald, Lauren Alaina and Pia Toscano

ON VIDEO: When asked about how she feels whenever she is being compared with another Filipino talent, Charice Pempengco, Thia smiled and was gracious in saying that,"...Charice and I are very different artists but she does inspire me." Sorry for the super short clip, was staring at James Durbin almost the whole time that this was the only video I took.

Video

Catch Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Haley Reinhart, James Durbin, Jacob Lusk, Casey Abrams, Stefano Langone, Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano, Naima Adedapo, and Thia Megia on various mall shows for some meet and greet:

After that, they take the stage for the first time in Asia for a two-night concert at the Smart Araneta COliseum on September 20 and 21, 8 pm. Expect a powercast show as the idols perform on one stage, covering a wide range of music genres -- country, pop, jazz and rock -- with duets and medley's of today's hits plus originals from their individual solo projects.

American Idol Live Tour 2011 press conference

I've been following American Idol since the time two Filipinas joined and placed in the widely watched singing talent show -- AI season 3 third placer Jasmine Trias and finalist Camille Velasco. Admittedly, I found the auditions fun and thrilling as I made fearless predictions on who will make the cut. Since then, more Filipinos took the chance to join and made it until semi-finals -- AI season 7 finalist Ramiele Malubay; season 8 gold ticket recipient Jenesis Samoranos who didn't make it through Hollywood week; season 10 semi-finalist Clint Jun Gamboa and finalist Thia Megia. If I missed some more from the other seasons, please let me know.

Filed under SHOWS

David Archuleta Concert Tickets Promo

David Archuleta will be back in Manila for a solo concert at the Araneta Coliseum on July 18, Monday at 8PM. Fans can hear him sing his hit songs “Crush”, “Touch My Hand”, “A Little Too Not Over You”, “Something ‘bout Love” and “Elevator”.

If you missed him last 2009, this is your chance to watch him live. What better way to watch than by getting free tickets!

Lucky you, because from July 8 - 13, 2011, BusinessWorld Publishing Corporation, through HerWord.com, in partnership with Solar Entertainment Corp., will be raffling away ten (10) pairs of tickets to David Archuleta Live in Manila on July 18, 2011 at the Araneta Coliseum to ten (10) lucky new and existing HerWord subscribers!

Click here for more details and to join the promo:
http://www.herword.com/promo/main.php?id=David_Archuleta