Concert, food fair, bazaar for Chicago Fil-Am History Month
Jessica Sanchez. CONTRIBUTED
CHICAGO — 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. “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!’ ”
Mikey Bustos. CONTRIBUTED
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, Adeline’s Catering, and many more), a bazaar for early holiday gift shopping, 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 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.
“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.
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.
SamaSama Project. CONTRIBUTED
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 [email protected].
Early Bird 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 [email protected] or 630-379-9636.
