|
For the past 17 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
|
|
This website includes selected articles from this week's edition of the Filipino Express. Not all the stories published in the printed version appear on this site.
|
|
|
|
To tell us what you think about Filipino Express Online or to comment on the stories published here, E-mail us at Filexpress@aol.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fil-Am rock concerts set for May 13
|
|
|
|
|
The calendar has been flipped again. Now, it’s May — the month when Spring is in half bloom, and Pinoy rock bands are in full blast.
While the Pinoy rock barometer moves incessantly, the time is ripe for another “Bottlefest”, a series of Filipino-American rock concerts in the tri-state area.
Started in the late 90’s by Jason Purino, lead vocalist of Grim Bottle, a Jersey City-based rock group, Bottlefest is an event that has played host to many of the legends of the Filipino-American rock scene throughout the years and has provided the Filipino-Amercian community a reason to stomp and headbang every Spring and summer.
This year’s first Bottlefest will be held on May 13, at The Strata Club, located at 21st and Broadway in New York City, and will feature the best known Filipino-American rock bands in the US today.
Leading the pack of performers from the West coast is Locomotiv. This San Francisco-based hard rock act is composed of ex-members of Wolfgang and Razorback — both had its heyday during the Manila band explosion in the 90’s.
Next is Glenn Jacinto, former front-man and songwriter of notable Pinoy rock band, Teeth, which also churned out some great hits, like “Laklak”, “Princessa” and “Shooting Star” in the 90’s.
From the Washington D.C area comes The Speaks, which considered one of thefirst Filipino-American bands to cross over the American rock mainstream with their hardcore, Nu rock music.
The New York/New Jersey scene will be spearheaded by Aikostar, the NYC-based band that earned a great following among the city’s rock enthusiasts with their eclectic brand of metal.
Then comes Bleud, the rock band from across the Hudson River, in Jersey City. The band just inked a record deal with a major Manila-based company for the release of their debut album in June.
Hydrant and Ramini follows with their pump-fisting, and mosh pitt inducing rock.
Last but not the least is Jason Purino’s legendary band, Grim Bottle, which is currently recording its much- awaited debut CD due in September.
According to publicists, this will be the only time this year to see these great acts from all over the states in one stage — and in one night! Indeed, a marvelous opening salvo to usher in this year’s Filipino-American concert season.
Other shows coming this season are as follows:
May 29, 2005, Akustik Jam Party on RMN Radio Pinoy, in Bloomfield, NJ, on June 10, 2005; The Tribeca Rock Club, Gino Inocentes’ “Rock the Philippine Independence”, with Rubberband, Bleud, Inu, Grim Bottle and more; on July 2, 2005, at the C-note Club, presenting the “Eraserheads Night”, featuring Tran Jhavolta, The Bolpens and more; and on July 22, 2005, the Knitting Factory, with Mike Hanopol, Rubberband, Bleud, Inu, Daisy Chain and more.
For more information about next Friday’s Bottlefest, visit www.sighrobes.com or send an e-mail to Jason Purino at Nosajentertainment@hotmail.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Students of Filipino-owned piano studio to present gala concert
|
|
|
|
AN EVENING OF PIANO MUSIC 2005
Students of Filipino-owned piano studio to present gala concert
On May 21, 2005, the MPG Keyboard Artists and Friends, Inc. will present the students of Marilou Padilla-Gallardo Piano/Keyboard Studio in a gala evening concert extravaganza.
Dubbed as “An Evening of Piano Music 2005”, the concert will be held at 7:00 p.m., in the John Addison Concert Hall, Harmony Hall Regional Center, located at 10701 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, MD.
For reservations, call (301) 567-7973. The concert will showcase classical, Broadway, Filipino, Latin movie themes and patriotic selections to be performed by 25 selected and exceptional keyboard artists of the studio.
The hosts of the show are Lieutenant Col. Michael Carroll (retired) and Catherine Chambers-Carroll. Technical and artistic direction will be handled by Mr. Jack Saraza. Awards ceremony and reception will follow shortly.
Since inception 11 years ago, “An Evening of Piano Music” production has departed from traditional presentation of piano concerts.
The director of the show, Jack Saraza, has transformed traditional piano performance into an interplay of light effects, the use of costumes by the performers to project a particular theme that will remain the core of the entire presentation.
Also, the show utilizes the need to present program notes and introduce each performer as they perform; therefore two presenters or emcees are always on hand as each performer plays. The format of the show is that of a stage show and a bit of Broadway production to maintain audience connection inspite of the demands on each performer to produce quality piano performance. This format, though, thoroughly insures audience connection no matter what type of piano music is presented. This year’s theme is Mardi Gras.
In addition, on June 25, 2005, the students of the Marilou Padilla-Gallardo Piano/Organ Keyboard Studio will perform in a matinee piano performance, “A Morning Musicale 2005” at the St. Columba Church at 11:30 a.m. Reception will follow shortly at St. Columba’s Father Dewan Hall. There will be 48 performers showcased in this performance. Call the studio at (301)567-7973 for more info and reservations.
Mrs. Gallardo, owner of the music studio with 98 students featured in these upcoming keyboard concerts, is also the founder of the MPG Keyboard Artists and Friends, a non-profit organization sponsoring cultural and concert events in the community as well as these upcoming concerts.
She is a noted pedagogue in the greater Washington DC/MD/VA areas. Gallardo is the recipient of the 2003 Jordan Kitt Memorial Grant selected by Maryland State Music Teachers Association as an awardee in teacher enrichment and student development. She has been an adjucator in various international keyboard music competitions. Currently, she is an active member of the Maryland State Music Teachers Association, Music Teachers National Association, National Guild of Piano Teachers and the Prince George’s Music Teachers Association.
Gallardo is married to pediatrician, Dr. Ernesto Gallardo. She has 2 children, Gino and Celena.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
