Bruno Mars, Hawaii’s homegrown superstar, will be sharing his “24K Magic” dust on Janet Jackson’s next studio album.
Metro UK reports that Mars and Jackson are fans of each other’s work. You recall, too, that Mars introduced Jackson last month at the Billboard Music Awards, where she was bestowed an Icon Award.
Since it’s a mutual admiration society between the two, they’ve already been in the studio, between his touring dates. Mars reportedly told Jackson he was raised on her music; she resides in London now, and the buzz is that Mars will be involved in the first single she’ll record with her production team in Britain. No word if it’s a behind-the-scenes involvement (he writes songs, produces, etc.) or whether he’ll be singing with her. …
Meantime, if you scored seats to Mars’ Nov. 10 and 11 shows at Aloha Stadium, congrats. If you didn’t, condolences. While the shows allegedly are sold out, tickets are plentiful if you’re willing to shell out outrageous amounts to resellers who use robotic means, bypassing the Hawaii ZIP-code barrier that was meant to restrict sales for 48 hours to Hawaii folks. Ha! The bots latched onto tickets anyway, with expansive greed, and are now marketing ’em with alarmingly costly tariffs. This calamity — widespread among concerts, Broadway and athletic events — has got to be regulated and stopped. …
Meanwhile, Ticket Club, which monitors trending event sales, ranked Mars’ Nov. 10 sellout as that week’s best, followed by a 2019 NBA all-star game at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., and a Bruce Springsteen Broadway performance June 28 at the Walter Kerr Theatre. Mars’ Nov. 11 gig likely will top the ticket poll again. …
DREAM WEAVER
Actress Sigourney Weaver arrived at the New York Botanical Garden’s Conservatory Ball earlier this month, decked out in a stunning Manaola Yap dress custom-made for her. ’Twas a mint-green version of Manaola’s iconic printed swirls, based on Hawaiian symbols. Weaver, an exquisite picture of island glamour, also wore a pikake lei the designer sent her for the gala.
This was sort of a black-tie luau, with gents in tuxes and women in dressy elegance, to celebrate the “Georgia O’Keeffe: Visions of Hawaii” exhibition. Weaver also narrated an accompanying video.
Weaver, an NYBG trustee, has been filming “Avatar 2” and “Avatar 3” — wearing CGI capture suits, not fashionable garb — for director James Cameron, reprising her role as Dr. Grace Augustine. Cameron has booked her services till 2025, when she’ll be 75, for “Avatar 4” and “Avatar 5.”
For Yap, it’s got to be dream come true to dress Weaver, one of filmdom’s true stars; he got the gig because he is participating in the botanical garden’s “Celebrate Hawaii” Fashion Weekend July 28-29, where he’ll debut a fashion collection inspired by the beauty of nature and the hues of the garden. Other locals involved: kumu hula Micah Kamohoali‘i, a master of kapa-making; Keone Nunes, Hawaiian tattoo artist; and Bliss Lau, jewelry designer.
Weaver has local ties; she’s married to former Honoluluan Jim Simpson, founder-director of The Flea Theater off-Broadway. …
WHEE, THE PEOPLE
Aquaman — Hawaii’s Jason Momoa — is on the cover of the current Entertainment Weekly. Momoa, perhaps best known (to date) for his role of Khal Drogo in HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” stars in DC’s “Aquaman” film, due Dec. 21. His character appeared in 2016’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and in 2017’s “Justice League.” Quite a departure from his “Baywatch: Hawaii” era, which he likely prefers to forget. …
Robert Angelo stars in “Clarence Darrow,” a powerful one-man show written by David W. Rintels. The play shows for the final time at 2 p.m. Sunday at The Actors’ Group at Dole Cannery Square. This courtroom drama — tapping the “Monkey” trial — played only two other performances this weekend. Tickets: taghawaii.net or 722-6941. …
“The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes,” unfolds at 6 p.m. July 8 at the Hawaii Theatre Center. The classic film will be screened, with actor Elwes, who plays the heroic character Westley, leading a behind-the-scenes discussion of key moments and intriguing secrets. Advance tickets: $46, $56 and $125 (VIP meet-and-greet), at hawaiitheatre.com and 528-0506. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran Honolulu entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or email wayneharada@gmail.com.
