NEW YORK– With the temperature slowly giving way to old gray winter and signifying the closing of a memorable Poptimes Magazine 2009 gig season, six hot groups will put a lid to another great year for the Filipino-American music scene with a gig  called 'Distorted Friday.' The show will be on Friday, November 20 at Fontana's Bar, NYC- a venue that became this year's homebase for Poptimes Magazine and its local Fil-Am  artists.

'Distorted Friday' will showcase six exciting groups in the scene today: Mystic Artigan Society from New York, Temporary Basement from Virginia, Ivy Rose (formerly Steel Polly) from Maryland, Black Diary from New York, The Kuwagos from Jersey, and Ready Empire from New York.

It will surely be a molten show fans wouldn't want to miss.

There is a $10 cover. Doors open at 7:00 PM and the show is 21+ only

Fontana's Bar NYC is located at 105 Eldridge Street NYC

NEW YORK– Together with friends, the San Lorenzo Ruiz Choir (SLRC) proudly presents a show entitled “Pinoy Aid — A Benefit Show for Typhoon Ketsana Victims” on Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at 7.30 p.m. at St. Lucy’s Catholic Church (344 E 104th St (between 1st and 2nd Aves), New York, NY).

MAJOR SPONSORS

GMA Pinoy TV
Advanced Care Staffing (Now hiring/sponsoring qualified PT/RN. Call 718.305.6700)
Fred Astaire Dance Studio-Midtown NY

ARTISTS

The show features a variety of renowned singers, choirs, dancers, pianists and other artists who have contributed their talents for this cause. The artists include Clement Acevedo (pianist), Craig and Samantha Campos (Dancing With the Stars Junior Champions 2008), Archie D (singer/composer), Michael Dadap (guitarist), Gianpaolo Eleria (pianist), Geoffrey Hussord, Jaleo Filipino Dance Ensemble (Philippine folk dancers), Thomas Kriegenherdt (from Fred Astaire Dance Studio-Midtown Manhattan), Leo Leal (tenor), Victor Lirio (Artistic Director, Diverse City Theater Co.), Lani Misenas (coloratura soprano), Rogelio Peñaverde, Jr. (tenor), San Lorenzo Festival Choir (composed of New York parish choirs singing at the annual San Lorenzo Feast Day Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral), San Lorenzo Ruiz Chapel Choir (with John Pamintuan as choir coach), Rina Saporsantos (soprano), Lianah Sta. Ana (singer), The Glorious Veins (band/recording artists), The Happy Analogues (band/recording artists), CJ Tondo (saxophonist).

Ciudad at Kenny's Castaways (Photo by Sheryl Garcia-Reyes)

NEW YORK- Both were rainy nights. But for Manila-based rock group, Ciudad, the night sky showers during their first two gigs in New York City are like confetti heralding their triumphant arrival and celebrating a dream fulfilled.
Yes, there were no riots at the airport or picket lines in front of hotel rooms with thousands of screaming teens dying to get even a piece of their hair. Ciudad's visit  was simple and meek–uneventful, but it was every bit as inspiring as a a Beatle-arrival in 1964, at least for Filipino musicians back in the home country that aspires to go beyond what is possible and necessary.

Here is a band, generally deemed "too upper crust" in the Philippine music scene, playing their music in the most exciting city in the world–in their own terms: No entourage in tow, no egos in their baggages, and no exorbitant price tags for their talents. Just their honest  goodness desire to play beautiful music and realize their dream of playing in this city of the world. Their resolve to bring their music elsewhere, where it might be truly appreciated is awe-inspiring. The band paid for their own travel expenses, contacted their local New York friends for places to crash-in, and opened themselves to a warm Fil-Am music community that is more than willing to help them in anyway  possible. To a community used to sky-high ticket prices to see Filipino artists, Ciudad's New York tour is not only a refreshing idea, but a sign of things to come.

Abe Lagrimas

LOS ANGELES– The Filipinos are coming! And they’re bringing they’re saxophones, ukuleles, and vibraphones.
 
The First Annual Filipino-American Jazz Festival arrives in New York City onDecember 11 & 12(Friday & Saturday), at the Triad Theater, 158 W. 72nd Street, near Broadway and Lincoln Center.
 
Three generations of Filipino jazz luminaries will share the stage during this historic event. Lifetime Achievement Award Winners Eddie Katindig(“Eddie K”) and Ms.Annie Brazil will join the Queen of Jazzipino, vocalist Charmaine Clamor, and the 2008 Thelonious Monk Competition winner, alto sax man Jon Irabagon, in a celebration of Pinoy contributions to America’s original art form. Mon David, the champion of the 2006 London International Jazz Vocal competition, and Sandra Viray, Manila’s leading jazz singer, will be backed by an all-star Pinoy trio led by “the Filipino Oscar Peterson, ”Tateng Katindig, with New Yorker Derek Nievergelt on bass and acclaimed Hawaiian multi-instrumentalist Abe Lagrimas on drums.