Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga are superstars alone. So, when they sing together, they’re dynamite.
The occasion was Sunday’s Grammy Awards, held in Los Angeles. Lots of fresh talent, mostly acts that rely on spectacle of troops.
So I was glad that Mars and Gaga earned — and owned — one categorial win during the event. The Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, for their soulful, sensational “Die With a Smile” that hit the charts and playlists last August, and continues to be a sizzler.
Gaga and Mars co-wrote the tune, with further collaboration with Ernst “D’Mile” Emile II and Andrew Watt, with additional input by James Fauntleroy.
So, who got the trophy? Only one was brought to the stage as the award was named, and Gaga clutched it. But worry not, Mars eventually got his own gramophone, too.
And the other Grammy victors were remarkable and refreshing, a few were occasionally wearying. They sing and prance, wail and wiggle with corps and corps of dancers and backup voices, so it’s always a joy when Mars wins a trophy; commonly, it’s him and the Hooligans who can knock the ball out of the park, as they did when they headlined a Super Bowl halftime show.
As superstar soloists, Gaga and Mars are savvy pros; with their own duet magic, performing “California Dreamin’,” the Mamas and the Papas hit from yesteryear. It was a fitting tribute to the victims and first responders of the astonishing Los Angeles wildfires, just two of ’em, focusing on the mission to salute the Californians who, sigh, need to recoil and rebuild their dreams. Methinks the Mars-Gaga dual charmer should be released as a single, and proceeds could further benefit those who lost their home, their memories, their livelihood in the blaze.
And while Mars continues to record duets with other women troupers, like Rose in “APT.,” his personal romantic edge has been diminished. You might have noticed he was dateless, sitting at a table with Gaga and her fiancé, Michael Polansky. Rumor is that Mars and his longtime girlfriend, Jessica Caban, have parted ways. She posted something on social media, which was quickly yanked, and Mars is smartly mum…
Janel Parrish at Blue Note
Janel Parrish, whose career in show biz began in Hawaii and Broadway, is a singer, actress, philanthropist, with triumphs in TV and films, too. She’s making her Blue Note Hawaii debut tomorrow (Feb. 5) and Thursday (Feb. 5).
As a child, she portrayed Little Cosette, in “Les Miserables,” the timeless Broadway musical. She won an audition here to land the role and producers cast her and whisked her to the Great White Way.
As an adult, she was a finalist on both “Dancing with the Stars” and “Masked Singer,” and Janel’s music has been featured in four motion pictures.
She portrayed Mona in TV’s “Pretty Little Liars,” and featured roles in “Bratz”, “Fired Up”, “Celeste & Jess Forever.” Other credits include “Magnum P.I..”“The Bernie Mac Show,” “The O.C.,” “Heroes” and “Hawaii Five-0.”
On stage, she was in national tours of “Les Miz” and “To Kill a Mockingbird”
At Blue Note, she’s putting on her singing hat and showing off her vocal chops.
Show times are at 6:30 and 9 p.m. both days. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the early show and 8 p.m. for the second show, for food and beverage service.
Tickets are $40 to $55, on sale at www.bluenotehawaii.com and (808) 777-4890…
Early Valentine’s show
The Hulaville Rhythm Aces will present an early Valentine’s dinner show, at 6 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 8) at Medici’s at Manoa Marketplace. Showtime will be at 7:30 p.m.
The group includes:
Kelsea Armstrong, vocals.
Joshua Kaye, keyboards
Rocky Holmes, woodwinds
Sonny Silva ,guitars
The dinner precedes and continues through the performance, priced at three levels:
Adults, $72.13.
Students, $51.29 with ID.
Children, $40.84.
Seating is limited, so reservations are suggested at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/musicatmedicis/5142 …
And that’s Show Biz…