The year is ending and the live performance scene is bouncing back.
Over at 19 East, the crowds are back, often filling the venue which has been renovated to accommodate more people. Most of the top and respected bands and solo acts are booked at 19 East, which has arguably the best sound system in the metro.
A recent, one-off gig featured the Apo's Jim Paredes and Boboy Garovillo reuniting in honor of the departed Danny Javier.
The Fort Strip, and a bar called 78-53-86.
Bars and clubs with just piped-in music are also full. The Fort Strip at BGC, for instance, was teeming with a noisy weekend crowd — as if the pandemic was a thing of the distant past.
One good spot to chill, with vinyl records playing in the background, is a bar called 78-53-86 on the second floor of Fox Square Building, 53 Connecticut Street, Greenhills, San Juan.
On the night I dropped in, the Bill Evans Trio's album, Waltz for Debby, recorded live in 1961 at the Village Vanguard in New York, was spinning on the turntable.
It totally relaxed me.
'Ang Huling El Bimbo: The Musical' returns
After four years, and on the heels of the recent Eraserheads reunion concert, the musical Ang Huling El Bimbo is returning to the Newport Performing Arts Theater. New and familiar faces compose the cast of its 2023 run.
Gian Magdangal, Gab Pangilinan and Topper Fabregas reprise their lead roles as Hector, the young Joy, and the young Anthony, respectively.
Among the new cast members who passed the auditions held in July include recording artist/producer Nino Alejandro as Anthony.
Indie folk artist Bullet Dumas who, recently made his theater debut this year, plays Emman.
GMA 7's The Clash grand finalist Anthony Rosaldo will play the young Hector.
Completing the lead cast are award-winning theater actor Paw Castillo as the young Emman, and professional voice teacher Katrine Sunga as Joy.
Premiering in April 2023, directed by Dexter Santos and written by Dingdong Novenario, Ang Huling El Bimbo: The Musical is about the lives of four friends — Joy, Hector, Anthony, and Emman — told through the music of the Eraserheads.
For inquiries and early bird offers, contact the Newport World Resorts National Sales Team via Jimmy Iglesias at 0917 872 8734, Girah Manaligod at 0917 872 8309, and Archli Enriquez at 0917 823 9602 or call Ticketworld (02) 8891-9999, or SM Tickets (02) 8470-2222.
