Bruno Mars, barkeep?
Hawaii’s superstar, a big draw as a showroom star in Las Vegas, is the barkeep of The Pinky Ring, a ritzy new lounge at the Bellagio resort on the strip on Monday (Feb. 12).
To elevate the opening night, Mars’ long-time band, The Hooligans, will be the resident band for two weeks only. Hmmmm, would Mars take a mike, to share his uptown funk moves, at The Pinky Ring?
“I’ve been performing in Vegas for years, and I’ve always wanted a place where I could throw glamorous parties when I’m in town,” Mars (pictured) said when the project plans first were announced.
“A place that felt like my personal penthouse suite, with live music and sensational cocktails. The Pinky Ring is that,” he said.
The Pinky Ring is located on Bellagio’s casino floor where Lily Bar & Lounge once occupied.
Hours will be from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Entertainment will include all kinds of music…
Two more restaurant closures
Sorry to report the upcoming closures of two restaurants.
Paisano, the popular Italian restaurant at Manoa Marketplace, will be shutting down Feb. 17 after 32 years. For theater goers like me, who usually dined there before a Manoa Valley Theatre show, Paisano was a tradition for a hearty, delish dinner before theater. Yes, there are a few other restaurants at the marketplace, but none with the quality of food and swiftness of service. The closure is due to issues with the owner’s health, since no one is able to take over the operations.
Haili’s Hawaiian Food, a popular dine-in, take-out restaurant in Kapahulu, will close in June. Other details are not known…
Super troupers
This is Super Bowl weekend, with Usher (pictured0 headling the halftime show on Sunday, when Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs take on Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers.
To me, Bruno Mars staged the best, most entertaining and cohesive show, with only his band, The Hooligans, pumping up the pulse. No backup singers, no chorus of hoofers, no assembly of marchers/dancers to fill the field and/or multiple stages. And no aerial entrance. or animal prop to trot in. No need. Just Bruno.
So who drew the largest at-home TV audiences at earlier Super Bowls?
The Top 10, with year and viewership:
1—Rihanna, 2023, 121.017 million
2 —Katy Perry, 2015, 121 million.
3–Lady Gaga, 2017, 117.5 million.
4—Coldplay, 2016, 115.5 million.
5–Bruno Mars, 2014, 115.3 million.
6–Madonna, 2012, 114 million.
7–Beyoncé, 2013, 110.8 million.
8– Black Eyed Peas, 2011, 110.2 million.
9–Justin Timberlake, 2018, . 106.6 million.
10—Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, 104 million.
It’s a coveted gig, and only elitist acts get invited to do the party. They’re’s no paycheck for this honor, only the joy of publicity and viewership…
‘Lion King’ back to No.. 1 on Broadway
On Broadway, “The Lion King” has roared back to reclaim No. 1 on the list of grosses:
1 – “The Lion King,” $1,666 million.
2—“Hamilton,” $1,656 million.
3— “Wicked,” $1,602 million
4 — “Merrily We Roll Along,” $1,517 million.
5 — “MJ The Musical,” $1,317 million.
6 – “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” $1,517 million.
7—“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $1,113 million.
8 – “Aladdin,” $1,068 million.
9 – “& Juliet,” $1,o10 million.
10—”Back to the Future: The Musical,” $953,000.
And here’s the complete rundown of shows and grosses, courtesy The Broadway Guild:
And that’s Show Biz…