R&B superstar to perform in Pom

Caption: R&B singer Mario

Caption: Mario

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, January 12, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

World famous American R&B singer-songwriter, actor, dancer, and model Mario Dewar Barret, famously known as Mario, is set to perform in Port Moresby this Friday at the Cosmopolitan Night Club at the Vision City Mall at Waigani.

Sapience Entertainment in collaboration with the Cosmopolitan have brought in the world known artist to perform live for Port Moresby fans.

Announcing his arrival at a press conference, Sapience Entertainment have brought in another high profile act following last year’s performance of Zambian pop sensation Mampi. 

He is best known for his singles "Just a Friend 2002" and "Let Me Love You" (2004), which won him two Billboard awards, as well as appearing in the films Step Up and Freedom Writers.

Chey Scovell from Sapience Entertainment said that the arrival of Mario was the second other big name act to reach PNG shores- remaining tight lipped on other big acts to follow in the coming weeks. 

“We said last year that Sapience was bringing a number of popular hot acts to PNG and this is the next cab off the rank,” he said.

“He has sold over 2.8 million albums, 3.6 million tracks, he’s won billboard awards, he’s a two time Grammy Award nominee.”

“This is a really high caliber, high profile artist, and he is still recording his fifth album with the likes of Nicky Minaj.”

“He is a big name for us to secure in PNG, and is someone we will all enjoy.”

It is a presold event with all 1,400 tickets ranging from platinum, VIP, and general all going with over half already sold as of today.

All platinum ticket have been sold out, rightly so as holders of the tickets will personally meet Mario and have photo and autograph sessions.

Scovell emphasised that no tickets would be sold at the door, with strict purchase of tickets presold at the club before the event.

“Mampi was a roaring success, but the only negative thing about Mampi was that we had to turn away hundreds of people on the night because we could only bring in so many people into the club,” he said.

“We are in the mall and we have to be respectful of everybody else in it, which is why we have been preselling the tickets.”

“There will be no tickets being sold at the door, tickets are half way through with the platinum tickets all gone.”

“Tickets will be sold at the cosmopolitan after 10am until we have run out or before the night of the concert.”

Francis Sakala from Sapience said that the approximate time Mario would be on stage will be between 10:30 and 11pm to give time to all that have purchased tickets to get into the venue.

“His DJ from the US will also be providing entertainment on the night before Mario’s one hour performance.”

“He is on a tour in the region and PNG is part of that tour, from here his flying straight to Sydney to continue his tour.”

“Other performances before the main performances will be our resident DJ AK47 and his crew.”

“As of today we will be left with VIP tickets, which are going at K150 each, and General tickets are going at K100, all other tickets have been sold out.”

The R&B superstar will arrive on Thursday and perform on Friday night- he will leave on Saturday to continue his tour in Australia.