February 2012 Concert Scene

Love Month is here once again and so is a long list of shows for Valentine's! Take your pick and decide where to spend the day/s with your loved one.

Sharon Cuneta and Martin Nievera will do a concert together, made possible by Viva Concerts and Events. Dubbed "Once in a Lifetime: Sharon Cuneta and Martin Nievera LIVE", the pre-Valentine show will be on February 11, 2012 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Ticket Prices:

VIP (Reserved Seating ) – P5,000

PATRON A (Reserved Seating) – P4,000

PATRON B (Reserved Seating) – P3,500

LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) – P3,500

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) – P1,500

UPPER BOX B – P800

GENERAL ADMISSION – P400

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

For the month of LOVE, Venice Piazza mounts a series of concerts titles "Valentine Music with the Masters!" Be serenaded with romatic songs through LIVE performances by:

Rex Smith on February 12, 2012, 7pm;

Dingdong Avanzado & Rachel Alejandro on February 14, 2012, 7pm;

Kevyn Lettau on February 18, 2012, 8pm; and

Lea Salonga on February 26, 2012, 7pm

For more information, log on to Venice Piazza's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/VenicePiazza

For the oldies but goodies, Ovation Productions brings back Engelbert Humperdinck for a series of shows on the following dates and venues:

February 12, 2012 – Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Cebu City

February 14, 2012 – Manila Hotel

February 15, 2012 – SMART Araneta Coliseum

Ticket Prices (Smart Araneta Coliseum):

VIP (103 & 101 ROWS A-J) (Reserved Seating ) – P4,755

PATRON (Reserved Seating) – P4,225

LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) – P3,700

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) – P2,640

UPPER BOX B – P1,060

GENERAL ADMISSION – P530

For Cebu tickets please, call (032) 2326888 / 09176228705

For Manila Hotel tickets, please contact (02)5270011 / 9115615

For SMART Araneta Coliseum tickets, please call 9115555 or visit http://ticketnet.com.ph/

VIVA Concerts and Events bring you the ultimate Valentine experience with three shows this February at the Resorts World Newport Performing Arts Theater.

First in line is Seasons of Love, a one-of-a-kind collaboration of OPM hitmakers Basil Valdez, Rachelle Ann Go, and The CompanY on February 13, 2012, 8PM, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, is another great show to watch out for this Valentine's.

Ticket Prices:

VIP – P4,000

PREMIERE - P4,000

DELUXE – P3,500

BALCONY – P3,000

UPPER BALCONY – P3,000

For a sexy-naughty Valentine, get a dose of Rico J. Puno’s charm and his signature singing voice in The Best of Rico J. Puno: A Valentine Concert on February 14, 2012, 8 pm at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Joining him are the lovely Jennylyn Mercado, the sultry Katya Santos and The Vamp, Verni Varga.

Ticket Prices:

VIP – P4,000

PREMIERE - P4,000

DELUXE – P3,500

BALCONY – P3,000

UPPER BALCONY – P3,000

Last but not the least, for a funny Valentine, make ace comedian Jon Santos your date this February 15, 2012, 8PM at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Get your comedy fix in "Love in 3D" with Jon's hilarious impersonations of famous personalities as he promises to revisit his popular characters like Tita Gloring, Krissy, Sherap Estrada and Ate Vi, including current newsmakers like Shamcee and Charice Penpendesarapen-pengco. The CompanY will be the special guest.

Ticket Prices:

VIP – P3,000

PREMIERE - P3,000

DELUXE – P2,500

BALCONY – P2,000

Tickets for all three shows are available at the Resorts World Manila Box Office and all TicketWorld outlets. Call the Resorts World Manila Tourist/Visitor Hotline at 836-6333, 908-8833 or TicketWorld at 891-9999 for more information.

Proud new parents and one of the most musically talented couples in the country, Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, will treat music lovers this Valentine's with Mr. and Mrs. A. Happening on Valentine's Day itself, February 14, 2012, 8pm, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. They will be joined by Vice Ganda, Dingdong Dantes, Erik Santos, and Angeline Quinto.

Ticket Prices:

VIP (101 & 103 Rows A-O) (Reserved Seating) – P5,685

PATRON A (101 & 103 Rows P-Z) (Reserved Seating) – P3,980

PATRON B (104 & 115 Rows A-I) (Reserved Seating) – P2,845

PATRON B (Sides: 105-114) (Reserved Seating) – P2,845

LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) – P2,275

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) – P1,365

UPPER BOX B – P910

GENERAL ADMISSION – P400

Tickets available at http://ticketnet.com.ph or call 9115555.

Avril Lavigne is coming back to Manila for The Black Star Tour on February 16, 2012, 8 pm, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Hear the Canadian singer's international hit singles: ”Complicated,” ”Sk8er Boi,” ”I’m With You,” and many more plus songs from her brand new hit album ”Goodbye Lullaby” with smash hits ”What The Hell”, ”Smile” and ”Wish You Were Here”.

Ticket Prices:

VIP – limited

PATRON CENTER – P7,920

PATRON SIDES – P6,340

LOWER BOX – P5,280

UPPER BOX A – P2,640

UPPER BOX B – P1,585

GENERAL ADMISSION – P530

For ticket inquiries you may call Wilbros Live! 3742222 or Ticketnet 9115555.

James Ingram will perform Live in Manila and Cebu for his Birthday/Valentine Concert! His special guest is no less than the country's premier singer and theater actress, Ms. Lea Salonga. Its a date on February 17, 2012, 8pm, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. For the Cebuanos, it's February 18, 2012 at the Waterfront Hotel, Cebu City.

Ticket Prices (Manila Concert):

PATRON A (Reserved Seating) – P7,950

PATRON B (Reserved Seating) – P5,830

LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) – P4,770

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) – P2,650

UPPER BOX B – P1,060

GENERAL ADMISSION – P530

Tickets available at ticketnet.com.ph or call Ticketnet at 9115555.

Ovation Productions presents Evanescence featuring Bush Live in Manila on February 19, 2012, 8pm at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Ticket Prices:

PATRON STANDING (101 & 103) (Reserved Seating) – P5,810

PATRON SEATED (Reserved Seating) – P5,810

LOWER BOX (200-201) (Reserved Seating) – P4,755

LOWER BOX (202-215) (Reserved Seating) – P3,700

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) – P2,640

UPPER BOX B – P1,585

GENERAL ADMISSION – P530

For tickets and more information, call 9115555 or visit http://ticketnet.com.ph

The Greatest Hits Tour: A1, Blue and Jeff Timmons (98 Degress) Live in Manila is happening on February 25, 2012 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Ticket Prices:

PATRON A (Reserved Seating) – P4,755

PATRON B (Reserved Seating) – P3,700

LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) – P3,700

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) – P2,640

UPPER BOX B – P1,585

GENERAL ADMISSION – P530

Not in the mood to Celebrate Valentine's on the same date as many? Then opt for Love and Laughter, a post-Valentine concert at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on February 29, 2012. Be serenaded by Christian Bautista and Karylle, be entertained by comedian Nanette Inventor, and be prepared to fall in love and laugh your night away. Special guests are Opera Belles and Primo.

Ticket Prices:

VIP – P4,000

PREMIERE - P3,000

DELUXE – P2,500

BALCONY – P2,000

UPPER BALCONY – P1,500

Tickets are available at the Resorts World Manila Box Office and all TicketWorld outlets. Call the Resorts World Manila Tourist/Visitor Hotline at 836-6333, 908-8833 or TicketWorld at 891-9999 for more information.

Whew! That's a long list of Valentine concerts we have there. So go ahead, pick one and have a great time! :)

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

Black Eyed Peas Live in Manila 2011

Come one, come all! Black Eyed Peas will be in Manila on October 25 for a concert at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. A little birdie told me that this could be one of the last (if not the last) shows of the multi-awarded hip-hop group to give way to female vocals Fergie's wish to have a baby (she has been married to Transformers hunk Josh Duhamel since early 2009). Who knows when will their reunion concert be and when will they come back in Manila?

Block off that Friday as will.i.am (William Adams), apl.de.ap (Allan Pineda), Taboo (Jaime Gomez) and Fergie (Stacy Ann Ferguson) will be performing songs such as “Let’s Get It Started,” “Boom Boom Pow," “Don’t Stop the Party,” and “The Time-Dirty Bit.” I hope that they will also perform favorite hits such as “My Humps,” “I Gotta Feeling,” “Don’t Phunk With My Heart,” and “Meet Me Halfway,” among others.

Futuretainment and Music Management International, which brought Bruno Mars, Maroon 5, Miley Cyrus and Thirty Seconds to Mars in Manila, are responsible for this much awaited event on October.

Black Eyed Peas Live in Manila Ticket Prices:

VIP A 10,000
VIP B 8,000
GOLD 6,000
SILVER 3,000
BRONZE 1,000

Contact Futuretainment for tickets! http://www.facebook.com/futuretainmentinc

Filed under SHOWS

September Concert Scene

The merry "ber" months usher in, not only the Christmas season, but also the "concert season." Proof of this is the long line-up of shows for September alone. If you are in the mood to watch with your family or friends, My Happy Realm is glad to share the following:

All-4-One and Color Me Badd

Two American R&B groups who became popular in the 90s, All-4-One and Color Me Badd, are in Manila for a series of back-to-back shows. They will perform their greatest hits and will do a special tribute to the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson (now this I have to see. All-4-One is best known for the songs "I Swear," "I Can Love You Like That" and "So Much in Love" while Color Me Badd is known for hits "I Adore Mi Amore" and "All 4 Love."

Show will be held on September 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum; September 9 at Waterfront Hotel in Cebu; September 10 at Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro; and September 12 at the La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod.

China Crisis xSimple Minds

xSimple Minds Live!

Next stop is another back-to-back concert, this time with 80s (to early 90s) rock bands China Crisis and xSimple Minds, billed as "the superstars of the new romantics movement." China Crisis was just here in Manila last January for shows at Eastwood City and Venice Piazza and I must say that I enjoyed that, despite the traffic caused by heavy rains that day in Eastwood. See my previous blog post about it here: China Crisis...Live in Manila. As for xSimple Minds, they are most memorable, for me that us, with their song "Don't You (Forget About Me)" from John Hughes movie The Breakfast Club.

China Crisis xSimple Minds concert will be held on September 9 at the SMX Convention Center. Furthermore, Simple Minds will also do shows on September 10 at Eastwood City and September 11 at Venice Piazza.

The Company of Side A

On the local music scene, I am most excited about the joint show of The Company and Side A band because I grew up with their songs and I don't think there can be any other singing group or band that can match what they have achieved in their generation, that even today's young ones can still relate to their music. The Company is most memorable with "Everlasting Love," "You Changed My Life," and "Araw Gabi," among others. On the other hand, Side A made their mark with "So Many Questions," "Tell Me," "Forevermore" -- the list could go on and on.

The Company of Side A will be held on September 16 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila.

American Idol Live! Tour 2011

Past American Idol winners and runners-up have done shows in Manila, mostly solo shows and if I'm not mistaken, it was back in 2009 that a back-to-back concert of David Cook and David Archuleta happened. This September show is a first featuring a whole batch of finalists from American Idol, the latest season led by grand winner Scotty McCreery.

Expect a variety of musical styles and production numbers from the 10 performers on September 20 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

All Time Low

For the younger generation, there is All Time Low, an American pop punk group that was formed while the members were still in high school back in 2003. The close-to-zero knowledge on this band pretty much reveals my age because I am clueless when it comes to their popular songs (I may have heard their songs on the radio but I won't be able to tell if those songs were theirs).

Anyway, for those interested, All Time Low's concert will happen on September 22 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Westlife, The Gravity Tour 2011

Fans of the good looking Irish boy band, Westlife, can rejoice as they perform in Manila for The Gravity Tour 2011, minus member Brian McFadden, who left the group in 2004. The group may seem to have lied low in the past years but they have been busy doing concerts and music albums, the latest of which is their Gravity CD.

The concert on September 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum is for the promotion of their new CD, but I hope that there'll be room for some of their greatest hits like "Swear it Again," "If I Let You Go," "Unbreakable," and others.

Broadway Showstoppers

Here's another show featuring homegrown yet world class talents -- Broadway Showstoppers -- headlined by Leo Valdez, with special guests Joanna Ampil and Ima Castro. As the title suggests, look forward to a night of musical brilliance of broadway songs from Miss Saigon, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Sound of Music, and many more.

Grab the chance to watch this one night only show at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila on September 27.

Toni G. @ 10

Ending the September line-up is the 10th anniversary celebration concert of local showbiz' "Multimedia Star" Toni Gonzaga. The show will tell the story of Toni's decade-long journey in showbusiness, featuring songs of her life and from her recordings.

Toni G. @ 10 will be held on September 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

There you go, a busy month for the concert scene...wait until its October as more great shows come our way.

Click titles to see related posts:

My Romance with AI - A.I. David Cook, David Archuleta, Adam Lambert and Lee Dewyze

China Crisis...Live in Manila - China Crisis press con/concert in 2011

My Few Seconds with A.I. 2009 Winner Kris Allen - Video Q&A

Music Fest 2010 - American Idol Kris Allen's press con/concert

My Public Life in 2009, Part 1 - Concerts in Manila in 2009