William Elvin Launches Debut CD Album

 

Press Release:

Theater actor - director, musical director and composer William Elvin has finally launched his debut CD album --- DisConTechNoThisContent: The Musicalienation of William Elvin.

In 2005, William decided to stop writing songs and playing music. His friends in the UST band/rock scene were being signed by major record labels. EMI Philippines was starting to position Hale to be one of the biggest rock acts of the 2000s. Sony BMG followed suit with the signing of Callalily. The two bands spearheaded the 'pogi-rock' movement (a term used with both marketing and derogatory intentions, as William remembers it) in mainstream Pinoy pop in the mid-2000s.

A few months later, rock bands were ruling the airwaves while WilIiam and his band The Barpins, was stuck playing in the now-defunct 'Mayric's', a small rock and roll bar along Espana, Manila. Frustrated, he promised to himself not to go back to that scene, and pursue a different artistic medium. That decision led William to the Theatre Arts program in the University of the Philippines.

In UP, William honed his skills in acting and eventually gained experience in writing and directing for the stage. While he was (and always will be) artistically fulfilled with work in the theater, he always felt the urge to write songs.

For the following years, William have shrugged off this urge, as he totally ignored the rock/band scene and focused all his attention to theater work.  

In 2009, William went back to songwriting and formed Happy Days Ahead and recorded ‘Home Recordings @ The Marilyn Mansion’. With some copies sold and more given away for free, the attention the album received within the theater circle eventually led to William’s two important works: a musical adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac for UP Dulaang Laboratoryo in late 2010, and Dulaang UP’s Rizal X in 2011.

William’s recent reconciliation with the art of songwriting have inspired him to record 12 of the most special songs he has written ---- Sinubukan, On My  Way To Calvary, Alisbayan Box, But I Love No One But You, Bubblegum Blues, Winter Went Away For A While, Walang Kalaban-Laban, Ang Sabi Nila, How’s The Bed, Sandy ?, On Their Way To St. Jane, and 10/23.                                                                                 

“ DisConTechNoThisContent: The Musicalienation of William Elvin ” presents these songs as William have always intended them to be heard: rough, unpolished, free of heavy production values (if there is any), as sincere as possible.

Recorded entirely in William’s room somewhere in a suburban neighborhood in Quezon City, the songs are meant to sound as the anti-thesis of the pop sound that is dominating the mainstream airwaves in this day and age.

This is an album that is meant to be enjoyed in a quiet corner as the words and the melodies serve as your blanket and, at least for about 45 minutes, keeps you away from the noise of today’s world.

DisConTechNoThisContent: The Musicalienation of William Elvin is released  by Happy Mousey Records and John Carlo Santos. Album Art by Manu Respall. Produced by W.E. Manzano.

For further inquiries, please  go to  www.facebook.com/williamelvinmusic or call/text Happy Mousey Records at 09173450310.         
 

Olives: A New Romantic Restaurant Tucked in a Private Hideaway of Nature

Have you ever had one of those days when you just wanted to do something new, like take a long drive out of the Metro and have dinner or lunch in a cool, scenic restaurant? Or perhaps go on spur-of-the-moment overnight adventure?  Summer has this way of making you do things you don’t usually do.  Maybe it’s the heat, who knows.  Well, here is a suggestion you may want to consider.

There is this newly opened Tuscan-themed restaurant in Thunderbird Casino and Resorts at Binangonan, Rizal called “Olives” that has a wonderful sunset view plus a romantic skyline view at night.  It’s glass walls make you feel like you are eating outdoors, al fresca, minus the summer  heat.  Fresh ingredients and flavors that can even be customized for your palate . . . there is nothing that the ever-accommodating Executive Chef Mike Gross will refuse for you.  He is among the family-friendly staff of Thunderbird Casino and Resorts which include GM Mike Diopenes, Casino Marketing Head Brent Fernandez, and VP for Business Development Fabio Moretti. 

I suggest you take the drive before 4pm to avoid the Makati traffic via C6 in Bicutan then take that hour-long leisure,  scenic drive along Laguna lake to clear the mind.  By the time you get there, you will catch the glorious sunset as it filters through the glass walls. Order some coffee or cocktail drinks and pizza while you take in the view.  Why not take a walk along the poolside and around the hotel before having your Olives scrumptious dinner buffet.  Conversation is but an alternative to just sitting around and enjoying the ambiance. 

And if you prefer to go solo for some “me-time” or computer work, then the quiet surroundings and inspiring view will surely keep you in good spirits to finish your work within the day.  You will never feel alone because the staff, manager, and chefs are usually around to check on you if you are enjoying your stay.   Sometimes you don’t realize the time and it’s already almost midnight when you check your watch.  Then why leave already? Check in their comfy rooms with refreshing showers.  If you don’t feel sleepy yet, linger in the porch area to enjoy nature’s uplifting view while listening to jazz or romantic ballads.

Here is another great thing, you don’t even have to drive to Olives or Thunderbird Casino and Resort if you don’t want to.  They have free shuttle service scheduled every hour at several locations, check their website for schedules at  http://www.thunderbirdresortsrizal.com/free-shuttle-service/ Consider it a home away from home for a date, family get-away, business meeting, private work place, or simply me-time. 

I will let you in on a little secret, this latest development of Thunderbirds Casino and Resort in Rizal is just one of the many new additions to expect.  More to come.  Visit their website www.thunderbirdresortsrizal.com for updates.

Noises Off, Chaotic Brilliance On

Insane. Hilarious. Chaotic Genius. The movie may not have been a big hit to some, but watching the play version of Noises Off is a different experience you must try. Why? . . . because it's live and you can feel the tension and chaos stronger. The energy was crazy and the actors got us, the audience, involved in their conflicts as we gasped, panted, and howled at their every encounter.

That's the fun thing about watching live stage shows, you witness the actors every move and every breath without knowing what could happen next even if you see the play over and over again. It's different every time . . . be it a small blunder, an adlib, a wrong move, a missed line.  In this particular play, you will definitely see all of the above.

My favorite is the backstage scene where the brilliance of choroegraphy, blocking, and timing is highlighted. Three stories going on, crisscrossing each other at the backstage as the onstage performance goes on. Allowing the audience a peek behind the curtains is a comedy concept that certainly invites curiosity regardless of whether you have seen the movie version or not.  Because there are new actors with new personalities and together, they have a different kinds of synergy is the “surprise” or differentiator for each and every play.

What could go wrong onstage goes wrong.  Every actor and director's nightmare is brought to life, and this is what the play centers on. Watch Noises Off for a good laugh at Onstage, Greenbelt 1. Ongoing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until April. Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 330pm and 8pm, Sundays at 330pm. Tickets at the door . P600/500/400. You may also call Ticketworld 8919999 or check www.repertoryphilippines.com.

CCP Celebrates Earth Day with "Clean Air" and Hourly Fun Activities

"Clean Air" is the theme of Earth Day celebration at the  Cultural Center of the Philippines on Sunday, April 13, 2014.  Various venues of the CCP complex will stage different events that include art, dance,  film showing, makeshift aircon-making, kite flying, and many more.

The celebration starts with a Fun Run at the CCP Complex at 6:00am followed by a program with performances by Ballet Philippines and ventriloquist Wanlu at the CCP Front Lawn at 7:30am. At 8am, exhibits and fair will open, and visual artist Junyee unveils his artwork, consisting of 300 bamboo poles to be erected on the front lawn, creating an artistic cluster of “windmills” which transforms the area into a place of wind movement. At 9am, a yoga class will be conducted by the Gentle Warriors at the CCP Main Theater Lobby as well as a ‘Chalk Art’ activity conducted by the Philippine Art Educators Association (PAEA) at the CCP Lagoon Driveway Area. The Philippine Biochar conducts a workshop on using Biochar, Bokashi Balls, Hering Agents, 9:30am at the CCP Ramp. At 10am, a dance class will be conducted by the Gentle Warriors at the CCP Main Theater Lobby while Haribon Foundation conducts a guided tour on familiarization with trees at the CCP’s Liwasang Kalikasan. At 10:30am, Sipat Lawin Ensemble will do storytelling while Haribon Foundation will screen the film entitled “Biodiversity on Wheels” at the CCP Promenade. At 11am, a kendo class will be conducted by Gentle Warriors at the CCP Main Theater Lobby, while the Bureau of Plant Industry conducts a grafting workshop at the CCP Ramp. At 11:30am, ventriloquist Wanlu stages his show “Wanlu, Wan Earth, Wans More” at the CCP Ramp. The Gentle Warriors will conduct an arnis class at the CCP Main Theater Lobby at 12nn.

Other activities happening at the CCP Ramp in the afternoon are workshops and storytelling (1:30-2pm), a Do-it-yourself demo on a makeshift "Aircon", as well as Kite assembly and flying workshop by the Kite Association of the Philippines (2:30pm), with a performance by Mga Anak ni Inang Daigdig (3pm). At 4pm, the Kite Association of the Philippines will hold kite flying activities at the CCP’s Front Lawn, Ramp and Promenade. At 5pm, Drone Video / Camcording at the CCP Ramp will be followed by a performance of Mga Anak ni Inang Daigdig at the CCP Ramp at 6:30pm.

So enjoy a day of earth-loving, nature appreciation, air cleansing activities at the CCP this April 13 for the whole family.

Earth Day at the CCP is held in cooperation with Haribon Foundation, Kasibulan, Philippine Art Educators Association (PAEA), Foundation for Philippine Environment, Philippine Biochar, Bureau of Plant Industry, and Kite Association of the Philippines.

For more information, call the CCP Administrative Services Department at 551-0323, 832-3677.