Looks like Bruno Mars will ring in 2023 in Las Vegas, with his favorite rum in hand.
The superstar from Hawaii will be the centerpiece, along with his fave Selva Rey brand of booze, at the Mayfair Supper Club at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino on New Year’s Eve.
DJ Pee Wee, aka his Silk Sonic collaborator Anderson .Paak, will be part of the ritzy and exclusive event, limited to a luxe group of 150 guests, who’ll nibble on Wagyu steak and caviar. A champagne toast with Jay-Z and Beyonce’s Ace of Spades brand, is part of the package.ai
The Bellagio Fountains will be dancing, natch, with Mars delivering a live performance himself.
No mention of prices, but if you have to ask, you can’t afford ‘em, right? …
The other Bruno
Speaking of Bruno: Have you watched the Disney+ streaming musical of “Encanto,” the Lin-Manuel Miranda creation, staged as a legit Broadway-style biggie?
Some reflections:
- * “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” was the anchor tune and the breakout hit making No. 1 on the music charts. The cast from the animated original was reunited for the first time, to deliver a fresh, in-the-flesh rendering of the catchy song. (Sorry, Mars, it’s not about you).
- * Remarkably, the show featured a huge cast of singers and dancers, supported by a large orchestra, with oodles of Latino costumes and a network of different animals, like donkeys. The venue was the Hollywood Bowl, which also was dressed in continuous lighting sequences and a light circular feature with kaleidoscopic versatility, smartly viewed with overhead filming.
- * Overall, if Disney has the inclination, “Encanto” all about the Madrigal family, has the power (and buzz?) to make the transition to the Broadway stage. A “name” might enhance appeal, but it’s clearly an ambitious ensemble endeavor. …
Bernadette Peters returning to Hawaii
Bernadette Peters, one of the darlings of the Broadway stage, is returning to Hawaii for a concert at 8 p.m. May 27 at the Hawaii Theatre. Because of the spectrum of shows she’s starred in, she can handle the repertoire of the likes of Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd- Webber and Marvin Hamlisch. I’ve seen her in “Gypsy,” “Sunday in the Park With George” and “Annie Get Your Gun” and she’s remarkable with a glow of her own. Tickets: $89 to $130, at hawaiitheatre.com or call the box office at (808) 528–0506. …
Blue Notations
Recent additions to the Blue Note Hawaii calendar:
- The Manhattan Transfer’s 50th Anniversary and Final World Tour lands at Blue Note Hawaii at 6:30 p.m. Feb.21 and 22. Tickets: $65 Premium, $55 Loge and Bar. Reservations at (808) 777-4890.
- Henry Kapono will launch yet another Artists 2 Artist series at Blue Note, featuring Jerry Santos on Feb. 2, Keola Beamer on March 9, Makaha Sons on April 13 and Brother Noland on May 10. The format includes Henry chatting with his guests, who get to share their mana’o and then render tune or two with the host in charge. Tickets: (808) 777-4890.
And that’s Show Biz. …