Concert, Food Fair, Bazaar for Chicago Fil-Am History Month

By: Lou Maningas Cabalona

 

Filipino Americans in the Windy City will celebrate Filipino American History Month (FAHM) with an evening of fun and music at the “TGIF” concert featuring American Idol Jessica Sanchez, YouTube sensation Mikey “PinoyBoy” Bustos, and Chicago’s own Filipino folk fusion band, SamaSama Project on Oct. 7 at the Copernicus Center.

“It’s going to be a fantastic, festive Friday evening this Fall!” says Lou Ella Rose, SamaSama Project vocalist, who shared that the group will be performing a couple of songs from their first album set to come out summer 2017. “The title of the concert plays with the letter ‘F’ to represent not just Friday, but also Filipino Americans and Filipino American History Month. ‘Thank goodness, I’m Filipino American!’ ”

Aside from the concert, the lobby of the center will be converted into a Fiesta Hall featuring Filipino cuisine (with kiosks from Oxtail Filipino Inspired, RCJM Oriental Store, Mabuhay Restaurant, and many more), a bazaar for early holiday gift shopping featuring Cosmetics by Dr. Alvin, Darlene’s Boutique, Hair 21 Studio, OkayAnytimeLee.com, That’s Perfect Remodeling, Vertical Industries, World Ventures/Dreamtrips and Young Living Essential Oils, and information booths of Chicago-based not-for-profit organizations.

Fiesta Hall opens at 5PM and is free admission. “Various local artists will perform at the Fiesta Hall, such as Hill Ford, Miki Pascual, Nina Mae Vidal, Jcrew, The Silayan Choir, 3JNR Rondalla, FIAModern and other special guests,” says Everett Icao, Fiesta Hall Stage Manager.

There will also be demonstrations of Filipino martial arts from the Defensor Method Filipino Kali-Eskrima Academy of Chicago.

Award-winning Filipina actress, Mae Flores, and Chicago Philippine Reports TV’s Girle Pascual will serve as emcees for the evening.

“With the concert and the Fiesta Hall, these events are set to contribute to the biggest FAHM celebration in the Midwest,” Icao adds. The FAHM is an annual event established by the Filipino American National Historical Society and is celebrated by many Filipino American communities across the USA.

This multi-event affair is hosted by the Philippine American Cultural Foundation with Golden Tara Creatives. Founded in 1996, the Philippine American Cultural Foundation aims to promote cultural, educational, social and civic activities among Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the Midwest.

For a limited number of out-of-state ticket holders and VIP ticket holders, Chicago’s renowned Field Museum is offering an exclusive tour of its collection of ten thousand Philippine artifacts collected in the early 1900s by American anthropologists on Oct. 8. Advance reservations required at jpcferrer@me.com.

Early Birds Group discounted tickets are available. VIP tickets are also available for the best seats in the 1,800-seat theater and access to the special meet-and-greet and signing after the show.

“TGIF” is on Oct. 7, 2016, 7:30 pm, at Copernicus Center, 5216 W Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL. For ticket inquiries and sponsorship opportunities, visit PACFmidwest.org/2016- tgif-chicago or SamaSamaProject.com. Contact PiyestaPinoy@gmail.com or 630-379-9636. ————

Louella Maningas Cabalona is a singer, actor, and Senior Manager for Business Analytics, Sears Holdings. She is the co-founder of the Filipino Folk band, SamaSama Project, ILPRO (Illinois Philippines Recovery Operations) and is one of the inaugural delegates of the FYLPRO Immersion program of the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC in 2012. She is passionate about sharing Filipino culture in the modern world and actively supports all outstanding Filipinos around the globe. If you would like to connect, email louellarose@ gmail.com.

Various musical groups, solo artists and dancers will be performing at the Fiesta Hall including demonstrations of Filipino Martial Arts .

Jessica Sanchez, American Idol Top 2 Finalist in Season 11 in 2012

Mikey Bustos, Canadian Idol Finalist and a YouTube celebrity famous for making Filipino Parody videos.

Chicago-based SamaSama Project will be performing Filipino classics and original songs at the concert.