True blue Manileños, recent transplants, and visitors to our city all know — there is never a lack of things to do in Manila. This is Coconuts Manila’s guide to all things good and great happening over the coming weekend. Peruse it, take note of everything that interests you, and hit us up on our Facebook page or on Twitter @CoconutsManila to sound off on what you think.
Bust a move at a Friday night flamenco-rumba party
Date: Oct. 11, Friday 8:30pm – 9:30pm
Venue: Alchemy Bistro Bar, 4893 Durban St.,Poblacion, Makati City
Spanish Flamenco-Rumba band Los Alpresa will be on jam duty this Friday night at the Alchemy Bistro Bar in Poblacion, where the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines is hosting a Flamenco party.
Not much of a dancer? Drinks at the bar, and a cozy, dimly lit venue in this laid-back Makati neighborhood will get you moving in no time. Just keep that upper body stiff, and focus on the side-to-side hip movements — that’s how you rumba!
Entrance is free, and no registration is needed — it’s a party, after all.
Catch a local staging of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Date: Oct. 11 – 27, Friday to Sunday
Venue: Solaire Resorts and Casino, Aseana Drive, Parañaque City
Don’t miss the tale of Sweeney Todd, the 19th century London barber who was unjustly exiled and imprisoned in Australia, only to return to London 15 years later, hell-bent on murderous revenge, and in cahoots with a pie shop proprietress who may or may not be putting his victims in her pie.
Originally a Stephen Sondheim musical, which Tim Burton turned into a film starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter, the local stage adaptation stars The Dawn frontman and rock icon Jett Pangan as Sweeney Todd, and Tony- and Olivier-winning Actress Lea Salonga as Mrs. Lovett, the pie shop proprietress.
The staging, by Atlantis Productions, also marks the 40th anniversary of the musical’s Broadway debut.
Tickets start at PHP1,000 (US$20), and are available at the Ticketworld website.
Swoon over Carole King songs in this one-night-only tribute concert
Date: Oct. 11, Friday
Venue: Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila, Pasay City
One of pop music’s greatest songwriters (don’t argue) with some of the smoothest vocals to hit your eardrum, ’60s American singer-songwriter Carole King’s music graces the Newport Performing Arts stage this Friday as Jeannie Austin and her band perform Tapestry: A Tribute to Carole King.
Think of it as the next best thing to an actual concert by the pop icon, especially if you missed Beautiful: The Carol King Musical back in July. Jeannie Austin, on vocals and piano, has brought the tribute tour across cities in the United States, and now to Manila. She faithfully — yet freshly — recreates songs from the pop star’s landmark 1971 album Tapestry, with hits “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Beautiful,” and “It’s Too Late” expected to rouse audience participation (read: singalongs).
Don’t know who Carole King is? Pop in for a musical re-education, fam.
Tickets start at PHP1,000 (US$20), and are available at the Ticketworld website.
Hoard zines and indie comic books at this local art and comic convention
Date: Oct. 12 – 13, Saturday and Sunday, 9am – 7:30pm
Venue: The Elements at Centris, EDSA cor. Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Now on its fifth year, the Filipino Komiks and Art Market, aka Komiket, features a good slice of the local community’s graphic fiction and creative writing scene, with over 500 creators peddling their craft over the two-day affair. Both established and up-and-coming creators are given the floor, as the convention hosts books signings and artist talks, as well as Komiket Art Awards, which grants winning first-time comic creators a PHP5,000 (US$96) seed money for their next projects.
Shirts, postcards, paper art, and other original merch will also be on offer. Come see what the fuss is about, or if you already know, swing by to see what’s new.
Tickets start at PHP100 (US$2), and are available on the venue. For more information, visit the Komiket Facebook page.
Attend a basic lighting workshop for film and photography
Date: Oct. 13 & 20, Sunday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Venue: Nude Floor Studios, 3rd Floor Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati City
Cinematographer and photographer J.A. Tadena — who was the director of photography for iconic films Keka and Prosti, as well as having shot numerous celebrities including actress-socialite Solenn Heussaff’s artsy pregnancy announcement portrait — is hosting a two-day workshop on basic lighting for film and photography.
The workshop will be capped at 15 students, so you’re expected to get an intimate, hands-on take on basic exposure, creative lighting exercises, and portrait lighting. Quick touches on basic principles of photography and how to use a light meter, as well as demos and lectures on mixing color temperatures, types of light, and product and scene lighting will also be covered.
Cameras are not required, but you may bring your own. Workshop fee is at PHP12,000 (US$230). For purchases and inquiries, send a direct message to Nude Floor’s Facebook page.
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