‘Imaginarium’: A multi-arts festival of the absurd
MANILA, Philippines - What do you get when you combine theater, art, dance, film, music, fashion, and food? Why, you get “Imaginarium,” a multi-arts festival of the absurd. It’s organized by The Sandbox Collective, a young theater group that brings edgy work to new audiences. For theater, they will do a reimagined Dani Girl, the theater group’s successful initial offering; for film, they have Cinemalaya favorites; for music, they have indie mainstays; for dance, they have Kim Yong Chul SEOP Dance Company from Korea. They will also have a bunch of readings, performances and activities. “Imaginarium” will be held at the PETA Theater from Oct. 29 to 31. Visit https://www.facebook.com/TheSandboxCollective to see the full schedule.
Free entrance at the National Museum
The government is enacting Museums and Galleries Month, and so, until Oct. 31, all national museums and galleries are waiving their door charge so everyone can have access to good art. If you are an art rookie, start your education at the National Museum and the National Planetarium to see the greatest works in Philippine culture. For a more contemporary feel, visit Vinyl on Vinyl for fresh pieces from Thursday Room, Chalk Zadivar, and Jel Suarez, Silverlens for Cos Zicarelli’s brooding work, and Galleria Duemila for Trek Valdizno’s thought-provoking art. There are dozens more to choose from, you just have to explore. Support local art. It’s one of the country’s best secrets.
Philippine Literary Festival
If you’re more the quiet type who’d like to stay at home, chances are you’d still go out for the first-ever Philippine Literary Festival. For its first attempt, they have invited some of the biggest authors, professors, and personalities in the Philippine literary arts, as well as Amy Tan (Joy Luck Club), Chang-Rae Lee (Native Speaker), and Eric Gamalinda (The Descartes Highlands). We’d like to tempt you with the awesome talks they had for the past two days — from writing romances to the science of magazine covers and pop literature — but the highlight of the event is the book signing of Tan and Lee today. The Philippine Literary Festival is organized by National Book Store and Raffles Makati.
Mariah Carey:The Elusive Chanteuse
You might not have heard of Mariah Carey’s arrival, but the dogs and dolphins have heard the high register of her famous whistle. The elusive chanteuse is back in Manila for the Philippine leg of “The Elusive Chanteuse Show” next Tuesday, her eighth world tour. The oddly-titled concert is to promote her latest album “Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse,” featuring the singles #Beautiful and The Art of Letting Go. A video recently spread of Mariah’s performance at the tour failing to reach her whistle, but she has since recovered and is expected to give another stellar performance. In the meantime, head on to Google and type “Mariah Carey dictionary” for a glossary of unusual words she has used throughout her career. Elusive and chanteuse will sound tame by comparison.
Indulge in obsessions and fetishes at Carlo Calma and Leeroy New’s exhibit
When a show is launched at midnight, you know something curious and maybe a little bit illicit is going to happen. And if it’s anything involving Carlo Calma and Leeroy New, you know it’s going to be just that. For Manifesto Gallerie’s Obsession + Fetishes, Calma and New will show their latest works, which have been celebrated for their bold, adventurous, and provoking processes. It’s a collaboration between an innovative architect and a daring sculptor that promises to explode with strangeness and peculiarity. Also launching is Antithesis House, a joint exhibit by 15 equally unconventional artists: Manuel Ocampo, RM De Leon, Romeo Lee, Anton Del Castillo, Norberto Roldan, MM Yu, Frank Callaghan, Jia Estrella, Tom Epperson, Ernest Concepcion, Jason Tecson, Jay Yao and Olivia D’boville. The shows were launched midnight last night, with a DJ set by Joel Brittain from UK. Fair warning, though: the shows are not for the faint of heart. Manifesto Gallerie is at CLIPP Center, Penthouse Level, 11th Ave corner 39th street, BGC.
Go walwal at Hotdog! Riot Ball
Society is unnaturally and needlessly polite. Even the clubbing and music scene has become so tame! There are times when we just want to break free, let loose, and go walwal. You can do just that tonight for the Hotdog! Riot Ball at Black Market, the one night a year when you can go completely berserk and no other girl is allowed to judge you. For something that has the glamorous title of “ball,” the event is going back to basics where the only thing that matters is getting wasted (responsibly). Who knew being basic was something to be proud of? For tonight, Erick the Tank, Xtina Superstar, Asela, and Supreme’s very own David Milan will spin at the main room, while Judd Bimpo, Kix Suarez, and Karlo V will rule over Mao’s Den. There will be open format DJ sets, drink-all-you-cans, kegs, and beer bongs. This will go down in history as the only riot you can attend in high heels and low-cut dresses. Dress appropriately.