What makes a stellar concert?
Toronto gets exciting any season of the year when favorite concerts happen. Still being talked about is the latest favorite – the PAIR OF ACES which headlined Darren Espanto and Jona. Honestly I expected a good show – but surprise! Turned out to be not good but EXCELLENTLY decibels higher – this concert was a mighty ONE! The loving audience got transfixed and transported elsewhere as this duo belted out songs – actually not run of the mill choices but actually tough pieces from where only tested virtuosos dare to go.
What impressed me was the broadway part – starting with with Phantom of the Opera, I found myself standing and clapping so hard I wished it was heard like a bongo drum. But hey, I wasn’t alone and that delighted me. First, second and third rows stood, making their oohs and aahs heard in a wave of approval! Soon enough, everyone was chanting wow. This show should have been in a better classy location – and I wish it played to a wider patronage. To me, what added glitter to the Darren-Jona merger was the presence of the live band that delivered seamless background support – thanks to guitar genius Mon Torralba and company. Also grateful to line producer Belinda Reyes. Torontonians deserve stellar performances.
Which brings me to pop this question – what really makes a hit concert? Prior to Darren and Jona, we witnessed the big crowd that trekked to downtown Toronto, did not mind paying not so cheap bucks for tickets and parking if only to experience Sarah Geronimo.
People generally want to feel connected and it’s music that does the magic. Maybe the venue is a big factor too, an intimate atmosphere works. With a good sound system, and with artists religiously passionate about their music, you’ll feel like it’s an exclusive show for just you.
An industry secret to a successful live music show is that it’s planned out to the very last detail. Artists have creativity in check, and it makes the show that much more enjoyable when they think about and plan how one song looks different from another.
The venue needs a high-quality sound system. To hear each instrument clearly and feel the beat of the drums and not necessarily drowning the vocal chords make an astounding listening pleasure.
Not to be ignored is the needed COURTESY of every production to be KIND to the fans/sponsors who pay their way in. We don’t need BULLIES (and I agree with our dear friend Lenlay Mamita of Great Smiles on this) who scream “military discipline” during meet and greet after the concert (they are not gate crashers – their bandwrists show they have a legitimate privilege and should be respected.) And remember, thery are the ones who keep coming back to line up and watch the show.
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We enjoyed the welcome party for our new Consul General Orontes Castro held at the Consulate office at Eglinton.
We’re impressed with these facts: There are about 400,000 Fil-Canadians in GTA; there is 44% total trade between Philippines and Ontario (first 8 months of 2019); Ontario is PH’s 29th export market and 30th source country for imports; there are about 400 Filcommunity partner organizations. ConGen Castro also showed the attendees the 2 treasures he brought home from his recent trip to our Motherland – authentic copies of Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo including the handwritten pages of our national hero – which will be shared to some libraries here. “Our younger generation should be made aware of this….” our ConGen added.
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As we go to press, it’s almost Halloween and that means we’re also close to the celebration of All Saints’ and All Souls’ day (Nov 1 and 2), the official season to honor the faithful departed. I remember JULIUS, a very dear friend – JAY ILAGAN to you.
It was February 3, 1992 when Jay lost control of his motorcycle and skidded to his death – he was 39. Born Julius Abad Ilagan on January 20, 1953, Jay had won several awards including Gawad Urian Best Supporting Actor trophy in 1982 for the movie, Kisapmata, another Gawad Urian Best Actor in 1985 for his role in Sister Stella L, and 1988 FAMAS and Film Academy of the Philippines Best Actor for his acting in Maging Akin Ka Lamang.
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Flashback photo for this issue – I chose this very significant pic taken I think sometime in 1987 or was it 1988 in Los Angeles. What makes this important? I am with “royalty” – the most important woman in this foto is seated in the middle, her name is Judge Lourdes San Diego (please read the complete caption). This was when Celia Rodriguez tendered a bienvenida party for the vacationing respectable Judge whose daughter Jo (then a resident of LA like me) was a big favorite DJ in the 60s – her midnight show on DZMT always started with “Do you want to hold my hand at All Night Stand?”
You may recall that Judge Lourdes Paredes San Diego had sentenced and ordered the execution of four men, children of prominent and powerful families, who abducted and raped actress Miss Maggie de La Riva. The actual proceedings were broadcast on national television, watched by millions of Filipinos in 1972. Now, a street in Quezon City near EDSA and Kamias Road was named after her: Judge Lourdes Paredes San Diego Avenue. And the street Miserecordia St. was changed to Justice Quintin Paredes St, the 5th Senate President, a distinguished lawyer and statesman, father of Judge Lourdes San Diego, and the grandfather of Jo.