Despite that, Malate continues to be THE destination not to be missed every year with its colorful characters donning their fantasy costumes that took all of one year to plan.
The congregation of dark elements walked the streets of Malate. On All Hallow’s Eve, Cuervo Tequila opened the gates and unleashed nocturnal cravings for revelry with their Maligno, The Black Party. The Halloween celebration transformed Ma. Orosa Street into a cave of revelry. The street was covered with a black tent with the half-bodied character from urban legends known as the mananangal suspended from the ceiling. At stroke of midnight, herds of interesting characters flocked in front of Fidel. NBK’s David Jacob’s debut performance in Malate’s street party put the regulars in a state of euphoria with his deep progressive house music. The platforms served as altars for dancers who showed off their costumes to the thick crowd. The light drizzle of rain did not dampen the spirits , rather it simply cooled down the rising heat of energy. A potent potion called Coca-Cuervo cast a spell that lasted until seven in the morning. The Maligno Halloween party organized by Cuervo Tequila and ON Concepts truly captured the distinct character of Malate.
In Makati, Dreambr@6750 with its regular DecaDance Friday nights did not suffer despite the alternatives. It did not matter that many who were dressed up paraded in and out of the crowd. The night continued with a more festive atmosphere and a continuous influx of the regulars, with only a few who dared to come as someone other than themselves.
This month we look forward to a number of events featuring international stars. Called jazz music’s Kurt Cobain, Courtney Pine of the U.K. brought jazz recently into the forefront of the international music scene. This week, he will launch the Monk’s Dream Fusion Jazz Festival, which runs at Rockwell on November 10. Also on the same day, internationally acclaimed Filipino keyboardist, arranger, and conductor Toti Fuentes, will be holding his free, farewell concert, at Merk’s Bar and Bistro, in Greenbelt 3 in Makati. Entrance is free but donations are welcome to benefit the poor and the completion of the altar at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Malate, Manila.
This farewell concert is one of the fund-raising events this week. The other is the Working with Fashion for Nature at Green Planet, which is being organized by the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP) and the Fashion Designers Council of the Philippines (FDCP) for the benefit of the environmental projects of the World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines.
As you may also have heard, international recording stars Mariah Carey and Mandy Moore will also be in the Philippines this month. Keep posted for more news!
7 November, FRIDAY
•Verni Varga: Jazz Explosion! at The Forum, Podium Mall
•Strings & Voices at the Manila Pavilion Hotel
•Himala the Musical at the CCP Studio Theater
•Jay R at Dish
•Vibe Fridays at Wasabi
•Johnnie Walker Black Market at Café Havana Greenbelt
8 November, SATURDAY
•Himala the Musical at the CCP Studio Theater
•Kilos Sining: Gawing Ganap ang Sining at Kultura sa Pamayanan at the Folk Arts Theater
•Los lunes al sol (On Mondays under the Sun) at Instituto Cervantes
•Maksim at Greenbelt 3 Park
9 November, SUNDAY
•Himala the Musical at the CCP Studio Theater
•2003 Ms. Earth Victory Party at V Bar
10 November, MONDAY
•Jokes Ko ‘Day at the CCP
•Launch of Fusion Jazz Festival with Courtney Pine at Rockwell
•Hyperbeat at Dish
•Sleezy! with DJ Patch at Absinth
•Rasta Night…A Reggae Fever with Indio I at Flute
11 November, TUESDAY
•Spirit of 67 at Dish
•Mademoiselle Tuesdays with DJ Ann at Absinth
•Underground Grooves with DJ Frank at Flute
•Goodlife at Temple
•Johnnie Walker Black Pearl Party at Restaurant 12
12 November, WEDNESDAY
•Women’s Wicked Wednesdays with Giraffe music at Dreambar@6750
•La reine Margot at AFM Video Club
•ArtFilm Coffee Club (Monsoon Wedding) at Greenbelt 1, Cinema 2
•Quiz Night at The Craic
•Nina at Dish
•Ladies’ Night at V Bar
•Smooth Wednesdays with Steve Mills at Absinth
•A Walk on the House with DJ Patch at Flute
•WWF-Working with Fashion for Nature at Green Planet
13 November, THURSDAY
•Hunchback of Notre Dame at the CCP
•Jimmy Bondoc, Mocha & Spin Art at Dish
•80’s Music with DJ Lance at Flute
•Plush at Azzuro
•Rockwell igNight, A display of ‘60s and ‘70s classic cars and mini bikes with music of DJ Boyet Almazan at the Power Plant