The funk has come to the Fountains of Bellagio — the watery spectacle fronting the luxury casino and resort in Las Vegas — and local boy Bruno Mars is the reason.
Yep, “Uptown Funk,” Mars’ hit collaboration with Mark Ronson, is featured in Bellagio’s trademark splashy splendor, magically choreographed in a marriage of water ballet and funkydance ditty.
“I think they should change the name to the ‘Brunagio,’ that’s what I think,” said Mars with glee in the resort’s video clip. “Never did I ever think that I’d write a song and be in such alocation like this. I hope it brings joy to people.”
Randy Morton, president and CEO of the Bellagio, echoed the sentiments. “Bruno Mars’ music is a perfect fit with Fountains of Bellagio. ‘Uptown Funk’ has quickly become one of themost popular and beloved songs in the world, an instant classic. Uniting it with our beautiful and iconic dancing forms a phenomenal partnership that I’m confident will delight guestsfrom around the globe.”
Mars and Ronson are up for a bunch of Soul Train Awards for “Uptown Funk,” including Song of the Year, Best Dance Performance, Best Collaboration, Video of the Year, Song of theYear and the Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award. Trophies will be handed out Friday at the Orleans in Las Vegas and broadcast Nov. 29 on the BET network. …
ITEMIZATIONS: Airdates are set for “Jim Nabors’ Impossible Dream,” a bio doc directed by Phil Arnone. The “Gomer Pyle” star, who lives at Black Point, has been a local fave for decadesbecause of his previous Waikiki shows at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Dome and a decade of Christmas specials at the downtown Hawaii Theatre. The hourlong show will air at 9 p.m.Nov. 14 on KGMB with a rebroadcast at 9 p.m. Nov. 22 on KHNL. Hawaii News Now’s Dan Cooke narrates, and among the many luminaries seen and heard are Carol Burnett, theEmmy-winning TV comedian who was instrumental in helping expedite the 1994 liver transplant that saved Nabors’ life. …
NAME DROPPING: After reading in the Oct. 18 Honolulu Star-Advertiser about how Rap Reiplinger’s “Fate Yanagi” evolved, musician John Kolivas recalled how Reiplinger was theopening act for Keola and Kapono Beamer’s show at the old Cinerama Reef Hotel’s Ocean Showroom. “As their musical director, I had a great view of this comic genius who had us institches every night! I also remember him as a Punahou cheerleader in the mid-1970s when we used to go to the football games at the old stadium. Rap was one of a kind.” …
CALENDAR CUES: Sheraton Waikiki will ring in the new year with Night Circus, featuring four DJs, aerialists and go-go dancers, beginning at 8:30 p.m.Dec. 31. The sites will be RumFire,Helumoa Pool and the Infinity Edge Pool, the latter providing views of midnight fireworks. Tickets go on sale today at HonoluuBoxOffice.com or 550-8457. Tickets are $85 in advancethrough Dec. 20 and $100 thereafter. …
New Hope Oahu’s Youth Performing Arts Center will stage “Shrek Jr.” at 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday and Nov. 12-13, and 4 p.m. Nov. 8 and 15 at the New Hope Oahu Main Auditorium onSand Island Access Road. The cast includes Zack Hulshizer as Shrek, Tatem Foster as Fiona and Nainoa Visperas as Donkey. Dane Ison directs and Jonathan Cabagbag conducts theorchestra. Sunday matinees are sold out, and seats for other shows are going fast. Visit enewhope.org. …
Augie Rey, the Rhythm Klub and Funksun are co-billed in Blast From the Past, 6:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel, for those who dig those memory-lane tunes. Call479-6004. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com. Read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at staradvertiser.com.
