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Looks like Bruno Mars will ring in 2023 in Las Vegas, with his favorite rum in hand.

The superstar from Hawaii will be the centerpiece, along with his fave Selva Rey brand of booze, at the Mayfair Supper Club at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino on New Year’s Eve.

DJ Pee Wee, aka his Silk Sonic collaborator Anderson .Paak, will be part of the ritzy and exclusive event, limited to a luxe group of 150 guests, who’ll nibble on Wagyu steak and caviar. A champagne toast with Jay-Z and Beyonce’s Ace of Spades brand, is part of the package.ai

The Bellagio Fountains will be dancing, natch,  with Mars delivering a live performance himself.

No mention of prices, but if you have to ask, you can’t afford ‘em, right? …

The other Bruno

Speaking of Bruno: Have you watched the Disney+ streaming musical of “Encanto,” the Lin-Manuel Miranda creation, staged as a legit Broadway-style biggie?

Some reflections:

• * “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” was the anchor tune and the breakout hit making No. 1 on the music charts. The cast from the animated original was reunited for the first time, to deliver a fresh, in-the-flesh rendering of the catchy song. (Sorry, Mars, it’s not about you).
• * Remarkably, the show featured a huge cast of singers and dancers, supported by a large orchestra, with oodles of Latino costumes and a network of different animals, like donkeys. The venue was the Hollywood Bowl, which also was dressed in continuous lighting sequences and a light circular feature with kaleidoscopic versatility, smartly viewed with overhead filming.
• * Overall, if Disney has the inclination, “Encanto” all about the Madrigal family, has the power (and buzz?) to make the transition to the Broadway stage. A “name” might enhance appeal, but it’s clearly an ambitious ensemble endeavor. …

Bernadette Peters returning to Hawaii

Bernadette Peters, one of the darlings of the Broadway stage, is returning to Hawaii for a concert at 8 p.m. May 27 at the Hawaii Theatre. Because of the spectrum of shows she’s starred in, she can handle the repertoire of the likes of Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd- Webber and Marvin Hamlisch.  I’ve seen her in “Gypsy,” “Sunday in the Park With George” and “Annie Get Your Gun” and she’s remarkable with a glow of her own. Tickets: $89 to $130, at hawaiitheatre.com or call the box office at (808) 528–0506. …

Blue Notations

Recent additions to the Blue Note Hawaii calendar:

• The Manhattan Transfer’s 50^th Anniversary and Final World Tour lands at Blue Note Hawaii at 6:30 p.m. Feb.21 and 22. Tickets: $65 Premium, $55 Loge and Bar. Reservations at (808) 777-4890.
• Henry Kapono will launch yet another Artists 2 Artist series at Blue Note, featuring Jerry Santos on Feb. 2, Keola Beamer on March 9, Makaha Sons on April 13 and Brother Noland on May 10. The format includes Henry chatting with his guests, who get to share their mana’o and then render tune or two with the host in charge. Tickets: (808) 777-4890.

And that’s Show Biz. …

If you enjoyed Disney’s animated “Encanto” film earlier this year, the hit Latino show about the Madrigal family, you might want to check out a Disney Branded Television special, “Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl,” available for streaming via Disney+, beginning today (Thursday Dec. 28).

The stage show, taped for television, originates from the Hollywood Bowl which was transformed into the magical Casita and features a special introduction from show creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. The spectacle features an 80-member orchestra and assembles a dancing ensemble of  50 dancers, with original voices of the animated film featured: Stephanie Beatriz (as Mirabel), Adassa (as Dolores), Carolina Gaitán (as Pepa), Jessica Darrow (as Luisa), Diane Guerrero (as Isabela), Mauro Castillo (as Félix), Angie Cepeda (as Julieta) and Olga Merediz (as Abuela Alma) and special guests, including legendary Colombian superstars and multiple Latin Grammy winners Carlos Vives and Andrés Cepeda.

Of course, one of the popular featured tunes is the unexpected No. 1 hit breakout hit, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.”

Wonder if this staged production is a preview or a trial balloon for Disney’s rumored intention to transport the animated film into the realm of a Broadway musical someday. …

Around ‘n’ about…

Singer Shari Lynn will be joined by keyboardist Jim Howard in  a last-minute New Year’s Eve booking at the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s lounge fronting the Bali restaurant.  The gig, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday night, will showcase Shari’s signature jazz, with a serving of favorites from the Great  American Songbook catalogue of tunes by the likes of Cole Porter and the George and Ira Gershwin repertoire. The venue, plagued by pillars, has limited seating, so plan accordingly. ..

America (Dewey Burnell and Gerry Beckley) will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 15 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Tickets: $49 to $129 at www.ticketmaster.com. Expect to  hear such chart toppers “Tin Man,” “A Horse With No Name,” “Sister Golden Hair,”  “You Can Do Magic,” “Ventura Highway,” and “Lonely People.” …

Blue Note attractions

Blue Note Hawaii, at the Outrigger Waikiki resort, will welcome a host of diverse acts during the New Year.

First, a few local shows:

Jake Shimabukuro reunites with his Pure Heart band, at 6:30 and 9 pm. Jan. 18 and 19. Tickets: $35- $45.

Azure McCall and Ken Polson make a rare appearance together at 3 and 6:30 p.m. April 16. Tickets: $25-$35

Visiting acts:

Felix Cavaliere and the Rascals take the limelight, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Jan. 27, 28 and 29. Tickets:$45-$55.

Chris Botti returns for performances at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Feb. 9, 20, 11 and 12. Tickets: $75-$85.

The Manhattan Transfer concertizes at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Feb. 21 and 22. Tickets: $55-$65.

Shaun Cassidy offers shows at 6:30 and 9 p.m. March 10 and 11. Tickets: $45-$55.

Tower of Power and its famous brass section pump it out at 7 p.m. May 11 and 14 and 6:30 and 9 p.m. May 12 and 13. Tickets: $86-$116.

Ticketmaster.com is the official Blue Note website; note that other sellers often sell seats at higher prices. Blue Note phone: (808) 777-4890…

And that’s Show Biz. …