Invitational event Monday focuses on ‘spirit songs’

Pagcor 5. Photo from Pagcor.ph

Invitational event Monday focuses on ‘spirit songs’

Afro-Caribbean musician Fantuzzi, together with Kat Dancer, will be featured in a kirtan (Sanskrit for “call-and-response chanting”)  in an invitational gathering in Makati City.

Fantuzzi was on a Newsweek magazine cover in 1969, in a photograph deemed symbolic of the Woodstock music festival spirit. Throughout his career, he has shared the stage with such music giants as Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and Sting.

More than his work as a musician, Fantuzzi has led numerous spiritual workshops and events for the past 30 years.

He has toured over 50 countries and participated in Earthdance, Woodstock, Bhakti Fest and Bali Spirit Fest.

Fantuzzi’s “spirit songs” and musical charisma engage people in movement, song and meditative celebration. Fantuzzi and Kat have traveled and worked together since 2010, practicing true “yoga.”

The event is hosted by Stillpoint Manila. The transformative experience begins at 6:30 p.m. Call (0905) 275-1345.

Getting the hang of ‘Full Monty’

In Viva Atlantis Theatricals’ local staging of the Broadway musical “The Full Monty,” OJ Mariano, Mark Bautista, Arnell Ignacio, Marco Sison, Nino Alejandro and Jamie Wilson play six unemployed steelworkers in Buffalo, New York, who are willing to take off almost everything for desperately needed cash.

How did the cast prepare for their roles? By drinking lots of coffee, OJ jests. “I don’t know how I pulled it off. When you’re out there, you have no choice but to do it and feed off  people’s energy. I’m getting the hang of it. In a way, it brings back the innocence of youth, when seeing naked people had no malice whatsoever.”

OJ admits that nudity is one of the musical’s biggest draws. But he also hopes viewers can appreciate the story and music.

Directed by Chari Arespacochaga, “The Full Monty” holds its final show today at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater, RCBC Plaza in Makati City. Call 892-7078 or 891-9999. Allan Policarpio

‘Pagcor 5 goes Broadway’

“Pagcor 5 Goes Broadway” will be shown throughout this month in all Casino Filipino branches.

The show features well-loved songs from some of the most popular Broadway productions in the past 50 years.

Members of Pagcor 5, the in-house singing group of Casino Filipino, are Froilan Canlas, Joyce, Dash Camporaso, Steve Fernandez and E-boy Quizol. They are the winners of the annual “OPM@Pagcor” singing competition.

Also joining the tour is West End veteran singer-actor Robert Seña.

“Pagcor 5 Goes Broadway” will be held May 8 at the Airport Casino Filipino, May 10 at CF Davao, May 18 at CF Cebu, May 24 at CF Pavilion, May 25 at CF Olongapo, and May 29 at CF Tagaytay. All shows start at 9 p.m. Admission is free, but on a first-come, first-served basis.

For details, call Pagcor Entertainment at 852-7760 or 852-7754.