Manilow Twitter News

Things have been pretty silent in the Manilow world these days. No "official" announcements of much of anything, except Barry telling us in his last set of shows that "the ink isn't dry yet" so he can't reveal where he will be going in Vegas.

Twitter has had some interesting tweets lately re: Mr. Manilow via Steven Friess @TheStripPodcast:

Source says Barry manilow's move 2 Paris official + opens valentines wkd coinciding w new love song album. Show has french theme. #Vegas

A french theme? Now that's something I can sink my teeth into. And...the Paris? My absolutely number one favorite hotel in Las Vegas. It sounds like something "official" will be coming soon.

Ah...nutella crepes!
Texas Fan

Weddings, Relatives, and everything in between

This is the week that my daughter finally says "I do" to the man of her dreams. It's going to be an absolutely beautiful ceremony with an absolutely beautiful bride. All the drama (and yes there was drama) will be worth it when she walks down that aisle and smiles one of her biggest smiles.

I've watched those reality shows on television about weddings and it always baffled my mind as to how things could get so complicated. Believe me, now I know. I think it's because you are dealing with so many people with so many emotions and trying to coordinate with so many wedding vendors. It escalates into drama after drama, when all you really wanted to do was have a nice, simple wedding. Fat chance.

Hopefully, the drama will NOT continue at the wedding. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed and keeping some people separated as best I can to avoid the conflict. It seems no matter how hard I try, there is always conflict.

God willing, and the stars are all aligned, I will get to drop in on a Manilow show while I am there. Perhaps my family will let me sneak away for a few hours (shhh...don't tell them).

Finally finished packing and now it's Vegas baby!
Texas Fan

This week in Manilowland

Barry is BACK on stage and the Team Harmony AFAN Walk is scheduled for Sunday. Fans are arriving at the Hilton and Fortuna is providing the much needed caffeine boost on a daily basis. The sights and sounds of Vegas are in the air and the excitement level is through the roof.

What is it about Manilowland that makes all of us yearn to return? I wish I could put it into words. I wish I could explain to those who shake their heads in disbelief when we tell them we are returning AGAIN to the same show. I wish I could make them understand what it feels like to meet friends who "get it" and share that experience with them. I wish I could bottle up the joy that comes when you're in a theater of 1700 fans, all there to "love Barry" (as he comically addresses it during a show).

It's going to be a long time before I head that way again. But I have my memories. And those warm fuzzies that accompany them. The all-nighters spent with friends. The late night coffee dates at Fortuna. The pre-show dinners. The after-show frivolity at Tempo. The get together with friends at Shimmer. It's all there, safely tucked away in my memory and in pictures.

All the best to Team Harmony on Sunday and to all the fans (first-timers and old-timers) arriving in Vegas to see Mr. Manilow. He never disappoints. He always delivers. You always leave with a smile on your face and love in your heart for the music.

We can't smile without you,
Texas Fan

Barry's Back!

Barry's back in Vegas! It's always an exciting time when his show returns to the Hilton. The fans get amped up on the MMN and the Barrynet. When he steps out on stage the magic always happens.

In a recent interview, he put it very simply:
"It is kind of lonely up on that stage. There aren't that many people doing what I do. There's never been [anybody like me], by the way. I have my own little slice of the pie. It's small, but it's mine."

Small? I don't think you'd call it small. Perhaps in the sense that he's the only one out there doing what he's doing and attracting the type of crowds he does after 30 years. But at last check, the fan base is growing, adding younger fans and appealing to a whole group of Generation Yers who are looking for "music" and have found it in his arrangements and his genuine ability to deliver that honest emotion.

Things are always brighter in Vegas when Barry's there. Smiles abound.

Here's to Las Vegas. It's one of a kind. Here's to the smiles all around!
Texas Fan

Terror in Las Vegas

A special report on fan gang behavior at the Las Vegas Hilton--

Fueled by money, online internet groups, celebrity worship and easy accessibility to said celebrity, fan gangs have flourished at the Las Vegas Hilton and spread across the Atlantic and beyond, thanks to inadequate intervention strategies and frequent gang meetings and strategy sessions online.

In the face of those tepid efforts, fan gangs have exploded, manifesting themselves in the evening hours within the Hilton Theater and at the small, yet intimate bar Tempo adjacent to the theater. Some gang members have also been seen in large groups following, threatening and harassing others on the casino floor. At the same time, gangs have grown more brash and outspoken in a level of obsession that holds many concert goers and non-gang fans in a state of shock and disarray—not to mention fearful for the safety of the celebrity.


GANG CHARACTERISTICS
Most members are proud of their gangs and freely admit membership. Many dress in a style identifying their particular gang and use hand signs or signals. Personal belongings are frequently covered with graffiti and bear the gangs’s logo and the member’s gang name. Individuals on the fringe of gang involvement are reluctant to identify themselves as gang members. They often state that their friends are gang members but they are not. However, rival gang members make no distinction between a gang member and his associates.
Gangs frequently gather in dark areas to avoid being seen. In these locations they will often drink, stalk and harass those who are not like them.

CLOTHING
While clothing alone cannot positively determine individual membership in a gang, color and style serve to identify each gang. Preferred clothes include sparkly tops, evening dresses, clothing brandishing cleavage.
Gang graffiti, gang symbols, messages or names are written or embroidered on jackets, pants and baseball caps, belt buckles, key chains, t-shirts, starter jackets (team jackets).Expensive or gaudy jewelry like heavy gold rope chains, earrings and large rings are favored.

GRAFFITI
Used to identify gangs and mark their ‘turf’ or territory. Can indicate status or power.Many include gang name, nicknames, declaration of loyalty, threats against rival gangs or a description of criminal acts in which the gang has been involved.

RECRUITING
Signs that fans may have joined gangs include crude and elaborate tattoos, females wearing heavy eye makeup and dark lipstick, females congregating in large crowds outside certain areas of the theater, harassing and pressuring those who are not in the gang to join because they are the most influential and powerful.

GANG BEHAVIOR
Fan gangs tend to develop a sense of power manifested by large numbers.These gangs are empowered by secret signs, private telephone conversations, and sticking together to fend off those who try to attack the gang or its leaders.They tend to be rowdy, disrespectful, rude, and generally brash in their fan behavior, especially when spending hours together prior to the scheduled gang activities.

COMBATING GANGS
Success has been achieved in combating these gangs by employing extra security, identifying the gang members by their photos, tracking through use of the internet and other security measures, and utilizing non-gang members who are also fans to apply pressure during gang-related activities. While fan intervention and psychiatric treatment is recommended, it has been found that most will not admit this behavior and claim normalcy.

What we have is a situation out of control. It's like entering a danger zone. Not just for the non-gang fans, but for the celebrity who has become the target of their dangerous behavior. While everyone wants to get rid of these crazy psychopaths, the consensus is that the more they gather together, the more they draw strength in numbers. These fan gangs have become a security issue, a celebrity issue, and a threat to the enjoyment and safety of non-gang fans.

**a parody of an online article on gangs and gang behavior**

Educating the public,
Texas Fan

(special thanks to YBA, Peachy, Just Life, and Redcat for the being the voices of sanity in this crazy world of fans)

"ULTIMATE MANILOW"-My Review

After seeing four shows last week from absolutely fabulous seats I have only one word to describe the new show: FANTABULOUS! Each and every night was more exciting than the next to end the week on Saturday with a rip-roaring performance from Barry and everyone involved in the show. Of course, the crowds play an integral part in the performances and Saturday night's crowd was exceptionally pumped up and on their feet for a huge portion of the show.


The "new" opening
I was a bit hesitant because I LOVED the "right here-right now" opening. It always got me pumped up for the show. The YMCA song is gone as well. However, the new opening fits the new show. The titles of his songs flash on the screen after Ultimate Manilow circles and then the silhouettes of the musicians playing jazzy upbeat music setting up the entrance of Monica, Melanie and Keely singing a somewhat jazzy version of "It's a Miracle" (as best I could tell). When he steps out on stage out of the "M" and the fog it's always a dramatic, much-anticipated entrance.


The "decade" segment
This part of the show happens almost immediately after the opening. I have to say, after all four nights, I love this portion. The snippets of each of the songs tend to crescendo into the 70's and set up the finale song from the new 80's album-"Islands in the Stream". This song is a showstopper. Barry and the backups LOVE singing this song together. They have as much fun with it as the audience allows. And the more into it the audience gets, the more into it Barry gets. It's an absolute heartpumping, handclapping, sing-along moment and for me, this time, the highlight of the show all 4 nights.

The "fan" interaction
Since the dance has been removed for obvious reasons, Barry has attempted to add some sort of fan interaction on the side stage. He has completely stayed away from the right side of the stage (those of you who have read my previous blogs know why) and has moved to the left side where he's sitting on the railing singing briefly to someone. Of course, as always, some overzealous fan had to yank and pull at him one night, so the next night it was gone. Thankfully, he reinstated it on Saturday and my friend Tammy was the welcome recipient. (Kim, however, was treated to a very nice dance with him during the Copa segment on Friday night). I was happy to receive a few handshakes!

The "hits"
This show is jampacked with his hits. He picks the best and pours his heart into all of them. My personal favorite, however, is "Memory". Before he sings it he stands with his back to the audience directing the orchestra. It's one of those moments when he exudes his passion for the music. It gave me goosebumps each night and the set up for the song is gorgeous. Next to that song, "Weekend in New England" always blows me away. The first night when someone responded to "when can I touch you", he responded, "my hands are kind of busy right now". The next few nights, you could tell he was into the song and not into joking around. You can tell..when someone yells, he completely ignores it. Of course he obliged the "sexual fantasy" aspect of the crowd with "Looks Like We Made It" and his provocative hand movements. The bamms were gone this week, but honestly, I can take or leave them. The intensity of the music and the passion he portrays when he sings is what brings me to the shows. "Somewhere Down the Road" and "Ships" have to be the most intensely emotional songs of the show. He crawls so deep into them at one point it seems like he disappears into another place with each song.


The ending and Copa
Not much has changed here except the fact that Barry comes down the stairs from the back of the stage and then ascends up the catwalk. YBA had a bird's eye view seat of the catwalk ending on Thursday night and got an eye full (to say the least). It's always fun when he does that gratuitous grab for the crowd. I was sitting directly below the catwalk and experienced his wave through the glass as he bent down to say hi to the crowd below. As always, that song gets the crowd pumped up.

The lighting and videos
The new lighting, set decorations and videos are amazing. The last night I spent some time watching all the spotlights, the screen presentations during the songs, and the lights all around the stage and the side of the theater. It fits him and it fits the feel of the show.


The "new" confetti and mylar
The 1-2-3 count he gives before the mylar explodes is now more of a 1-2-3 DUCK! That stuff comes out hard and hits hard as well! However, it goes along with the set and the new show and everyone seemed to love it. The confetti blowers are a great added touch as well. Seems like everyone was tangled up in it while leaving the show, stepping on each other's souvenirs so to speak and having fun with it all.

I have to say that I love this new show more than Music and Passion. I didn't think it would be possible, but I do. Even though I loved the Mayflower segment in the old show, I love how the new show flows and how we get to hear more of his signature songs. And I love the 80's songs he has added in and the decade segment is tons of fun. I can't ever remember the song sets or the order in which they come. I rarely remember the jackets he wears, although it seems there was a new one with a solid white stripe down one arm I hadn't seen before.

I'd also like to tip my hat to Kye. That man is a true professional with the choreography and stage presentation. Not to mention his singing and dancing capability. I spent a great deal of time during the show watching him on Saturday and noticing how he makes everyone look great and how he seems to be the glue that meshes the show together.

"Ultimate Manilow-The Hits" did not disappoint. If anything, he made me want to come back for more (he always seems to do that to me!)

Until the good times come again,

Texas Fan

The best laid plans...

First, let's just get this out of the way. The Red Sox lost. Top of the 8th, bases loaded, two outs, down by two runs and the batter strikes out! What a disappointment. However, we did get to watch the game at the ESPN Zone in the NY NY Hotel. That was a treat!

Second, Kim did not arrive as planned. Her flight out of Melbourne was cancelled and as of yesterday at 2pm she had not even boarded to fly to New Zealand. We have not heard from her since, so we are keeping our fingers crossed that she made her flight and is on her way as we speak. Talk about being bummed, nervous, scared, frustrated...the gammit of emotions.

We had a wonderful brunch yesterday, spent many hours watching human theater and paid another visit to Barry's house where my daughter received the 4 star tour of the place. Then we headed over to Harrahs and their piano bar for a late evening of tunes and more mother/daughter bonding.

Today--the Venetian, the Palazzo, the Wynn and a chocolate martini and hopefully, fingers crossed, picking up Kim and the late show of Phantom of the Opera!

Fun times,
Texas Fan

What a Day!

Yesterday was a FABULOUS day and a great way to start off this adventure!

First: shopping. As always, shopping with my daughter is an adventure in itself. You never know what bargains you will find and what surprises await. Yesterday, we stumbled on the most gorgeous dress quite by accident. This dress was a designer dress that was on sale and my daughter looked absolutely stunning in it. It was one of those "had to buy" moments. She "had to have it" and I "had to get it for her". Isn't that what mothers are for?

Second: the Red Sox game. Can we get a HALLELUJAH! My beloved Sox won the game last night pushing the playoff series to a final game before they move on to play the Phillies in the World Series. We had the privilege of sharing some of the game with other Red Sox fans as well. That is always fun. And yes, there was a Yankees fan in the bar telling us there was no hope. There's ALWAYS a Yankees fan...ALWAYS. And..oh yes...we bet on the game and WON some cash!

Third: Johnny Mathis. This concert was in the Hilton Theater. It was strange being in there without Barry, but it was a packed crowd and boy can that man sing. I sat there reminiscing about the many hours spent with my mother listening to his music. She would have loved to have been there. Chances Are, The 12th of Never, and It's Not For Me to Say (the Holy Trinity as he called them) brought back so many wonderful memories. Enjoying the music with my daughter: priceless.

Today--champagne brunch at the Bellagio, the Red Sox playoff game, and the piece de resistance, Kim arrives from Australia!

Enjoying another day in FABULOUS Las Vegas,
Texas Fan

Here's To Las Vegas

Today is the first day of my Las Vegas adventure. On the agenda: breakfast at the Paris Hotel, shopping, the Red Sox playoff game and the piece de resistance-Johnny Mathis tonight.

Enjoying the time with my daughter,
Texas Fan

P.S. Haven't been to Barry's house yet...that will be tonight!

Time for the Countdown

Today broke the TEN DAY mark for my upcoming trip to Manilowland. It's going to be 10 days of a wild ride with my daughter (the first part of the week) and my friends (the second part of the week) and my very first "Barry friend" (to close out the 10 days). My friend Kim is traveling all the way from Australia to join us and we have a rip-roaring time planned of sightseeing, shows and getting acquainted. So today, I'm posting my TOP TEN list of things I wish for on this trip:

10. Some much needed relaxation and rejuvenation
9. Getting to know some friends that I have never met in person
8. Taking in some absolutely fabulous human theater
7. Indulging in some "Vegas only" epicurean delights
6. Spending some much needed quality time with my daughter
5. Enjoying the night life that is only found in Vegas
4. A "drama free" pre-and-post concert experience
3. Rediscovering the great sights and sounds of the strip
2. Some "girl" time with my best Barry buddies
1. Finally getting to enjoy the new "Ultimate Manilow" with my friends

10 days and counting,
Texas Fan

Vegas Bound

The wait is almost over. Tomorrow I head out with my friend to Vegas for Barry's Birthday Bash. It's been a crazy, hectic week here and I'll be glad to have a few days for some R and R, and of course, some Manilow magic.

I've been all about the lists this week. And I'm not usually a "list maker". But I got to thinking...if I made a list for why I find myself on a plane headed to Vegas time after time when there are so many other fabulous destinations in this world, what would it look like?

TOP TEN REASONS WHY LAS VEGAS IS ON THE TOP OF MY TRAVEL LIST:

10.
Where else can you stay up all night and be entertained non-stop?
9.
It's the best place I know of for "human theatre" (def: watching people drama for at least 90 minutes)
8.
There is always something new and different to explore because the city is always changing
7.
If you're lucky you can pay for your trip with one pull of a slot machine (note: this is a RARE occurence but has happened to me on occasion. also note: I usually leave depositing more than I withdrew)
6.
You never know what cab driver you will draw at the airport (note: it' s like a lottery of samplings from all over the world: Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and even the good old USA)
5.
The entertainment at the Hilton (human theater) always provides for mounds of blogging material
4.
Where else can you find Blue Men, Phantoms, acrobats in the sky and water, comedians, magicians, musicians, wax figures, gondolas, classic car collections, rockers, crooners, female impersonators and strippers all within walking distance of your hotel?
3.
It's the city with the brightest lights, the flashiest entertainment, and the most extravagant accommodations
2.
The culinary samplings along a one mile strip provide a plethora of tastes for any pallet (note: this is number 2 for me--duh)

and...the number 1 reason why Las Vegas is my prefered travel destination:



BARRY MANILOW (duh...)

Here's to Las Vegas, it's one of a kind..here's to the smiles all around!
Texas Fan

The Manilow Magic

Everywhere you look, Mr. Manilow is getting some well deserved respect. And it's about time! Blogs, entertainment reviews, talk show hosts, the media, and yes..even the critics are standing up and realizing that "our man" has got IT.

Here's an excerpt from an online article in the Las Vegas Weekly entitled "The Manilow Principle" by Steve Friess.

About 15 minutes into Barry Manilow’s Music & Passion show at the Las Vegas Hilton last week, I received a mocking text message from my partner. Miles had ducked out of having to go with me, my 16-year-old niece, Courtney, and my mother because he had to go to work at the last minute, but he hardly seemed unhappy about that twist of fate.

“So, does it suck yet?” the message taunted.

I missed the message. To my utter shock, I was having much too good a time.

Yes. At Manilow.

But, faithful and puzzled readers might be thinking, didn’t you just a few weeks ago mention how much you despised that very show in that commentary about all that was wrong with the new Cher production?

Indeed, that is why I was so bowled over. When your family visits, you tend to do things you wouldn’t ordinarily want to, and my mother was, is and probably always will be a Fanilow. So off I went, preparing both myself and poor young Courtney to suffer. I prepped the teen for the idea that this would fall into the so-bad-it’s-good category.

Except it wasn’t. It was so good it’s good. Really. In my guidebook, Gay Vegas, I had given this production a “C” and complained that it was a “rush job” with “dancers who seem confused about what they’re doing.” Yet on this night, a good 75 percent of the songs were not in the prior edition, Manilow was unstoppably exuberant and energetic, and even the closing “Copacabana” was less grating and, so it seemed, mercifully a little bit shorter. Also, unlike Bette, Celine or most notably Cher, Manilow remained on the stage for all but about three minutes of the concert. Of course, his “costume changes” involved changing his sportcoat. But still.

There you have it folks. Once again, Manilow has made a believer out of a skeptic. It seems the list keeps growing and growing.

Until the next skeptic is converted,

Texas Fan

Viva Las Vegas

I spent the day researching Las Vegas activities for two trips that are approaching. Since I will be there for an entire week each time, I was interested to find some things to do there during the day that I had not yet experienced. There is horseback riding in Red Rock Canyon, indoor bungee jumping, a view from the top of the Stratosphere, a masquerade parade in the sky at the Rio, a champagne bar in the Paris, a classy piano bar at the Bellagio, and a classic car collection at the Imperial Palace.


What is interesting to note, is that as I flipped through the travel books at my local bookseller I noticed how often Barry was mentioned in them. He was heralded as "a class act", a "entertainer reminiscent of Frank Sinatra", a "headliner must see", and "the one who writes the songs". In each of the travel books they listed his show as something you don't want to miss. They heralded him as a true entertainer that knows how to give you your money's worth.

Of course, none of this is news to any of us who have been there to see him. It's just nice sometimes to see the rest of the world stand up and take notice.

Here's to a class act,
Texas Fan

Manilow Memories in Pictures

Dew Drop Inn-March 2006

Rock Bottom Cafe-August 2006

Atlantic City-October 2006

The Sixties Segment-November 2006



Madison Square Garden (Dave Koz)-January 2007

Singin' with the Big Bands-May 2007

Philadelphia (Forever and a Day)-September 2007

You've Got a Friend-October 2007



New York City Rhythm Piano Duel-December 2007



Dallas (Brian Culbertson and Mike)-February 2008

Las Vegas in restrospect

On Christmas day after the presents were opened, the dinner prepared, and the dishes washed and put away, I hopped on a plane to Barryland. The anticipation of a week of concerts was dampened the week before by the unexpected cancellations. But, as usual the week would not disappoint. It offered some unexpected moments of "Manilow magic" and some moments that had me scratching my head in disbelief.

Friday night was one of those rare moments in time that you relive over and over again, pinching yourself and asking if it all really happened. The show began on Manilow time around 8:30pm. From the first song to the last bedlam reigned. Security did an amazing job controlling things the best they could. During Daybreak a small child under five was dancing in the aisle to the right of me attempting to rush the stage. On the left of me a crazed fan ran toward the stage with a rose in one hand and a determined look to reach Barry at all costs. Throughout the course of the evening there continued distractions. Fans were yelling during the silences. Champagne glasses fell onto the stage from the side stage seats. Signs were hurled and waved at Barry as he approached the side stage. A British flag was thrown onto the stage, along with other items. A bouquet of flowers was hurled across the stage between Barry and his backup singers. During the finale a father with a child on his shoulders rushed the stage yelling "Barry, Barry...say hello to my son". There was a sign on the left stage held by a child claiming his first ever plane ride to see Barry and he actually made an attempt to converse with the child while his mother and grandmother grabbed and pulled at him the entire time.

Its been said that Barry hardly showed up for the show on Friday. Is it any wonder? How could anyone possibly concentrate during such bedlam? I could barely concentrate myself. After the show was over I stood there stunned. I have been to numerous shows in Vegas and I have never witnessed such a display of utter chaos. In spite of it all, Barry managed to give some very moving performances of I Am Your Child, Weekend in New England and Could It Be Magic. He reached inside of himself and you could feel the passion in the words of those songs and how much he was determined to reach that "one" in the audience who was actually listening.

After the show, the evening continued in the same vein it began and the events I witnessed along with the unusual conversations I later had bordered on the unbelievable. Suffice it to say that if anyone had witnessed the entire evening from above they might have wondered if a strange script had been written and those who were participating in the drama were reading it for the first time. The messages were received, however unbelievable they might have seemed.

Saturday night's show was the polar opposite of Friday's. The show was perfection and every moment worked like magic. The only slight flaw came at the end during I Write the Songs when Barry was distracted by his conversations with his backup singers and seemed to forget the words. He offered a slight smirk and continued along with the song unscathed. After the previous evening it was a welcome relief to experience a show that was relatively normal and lacking constant disruption.

The remainder of my trip was an unexpected nightmare that lasted for three more days: illness, missed flights, lost luggage and airfare change fees. Needless to say when the wheels touched down on my flight home I was reeling from a week of unexpected moments and unanticipated twists and turns. But all in all, it was a week that would rival none other. In more ways than one Barry was responsible for some rare moments that will never be forgotten, along with some extraordinary insight and some eye-opening conversations.

Starting 2008 off with a bang, not a whimper...

Texas Fanilow