Sept. 1 & 2: LA's arts and culture festival offers today's Filipino America: traditional to contemporary

Featured entertainment on Day 1 of the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture.

Today's Filipino America is a fusion of the Philippines and of the US; of tradition and modern, of history and contemporary activism. All of that will be on display at the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture this Labor Day weekend, a cultural extravaganza to celebrate the vibrant heritage of the Philippines and Filipino America.

FilAm Arts, in partnership with the Levitt Pavilion, proudly presents the 29th Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) on Labor Day Weekend, September 1 and 2. This two-day event is set to showcase a dynamic blend of artistic performances, engaging activities, and a diverse marketplace, all highlighting the rich tapestry of the Filipino American experience. This year’s theme is “Para Sa Lahat” (For Everyone).

If you're going:

Event: Festival of Philippine Artss and Culture
Where: Levitt Pavilion, 2230 West 6th St., Los Angeles
Hours: Sept. 1, 6 p.m.- 10 p.m.; Sept. 2, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Admission: Free

Here's a list of enertainment this coming weekend:

Flashback Friday: September 1, 7 p.m.- A Nostalgic Musical Journey

The festival kicks off on Friday, September 1, at 7 PM with "Flashback Friday," a musical journey through the iconic sounds of the 90s. 

The Mellow Dees: A new indie rock band based in Los Angeles, composed of Melody del Mundo, formerly from the Philippines’ 90s indie darling Sugar Hiccup;  Wolf Gemora, founding member of the popular 90s Filipino rock band, Wolfgang;  and singer-songwriter Nievera. 

DJ Icy Ice: Icy Ice is an original member of the world renowned DJ Group, the World Famous Beat Junkies. He has been the exclusive dj for celebrity events such as Manny Pacquiao After Parties, Black Eyed Peas, Kanye West, Grammy Awards, American Music Awards etc. 

Introvoys: INTRoVOYS is a Los Angeles based Fil-Am rock band with musical roots originating from Manila, Philippines.  The band broke out into the Filipino mainstream market back in 1992 with the hit singles "Kaibigan", "Maynila", "Calling All Nations" and "However Whichway." 

Jocelyn Enriquez: Jocelyn Enriquez has been widely regarded as a music pioneer, becoming the first Filipino American artist to find success in the mainstream industry. Emerging from the Freestyle movement of the time, Enriquez was the first artist to sign with Classified Records and was quickly deemed by some as the “Queen of Freestyle.”

Spectacular Saturday: September 2, 6 PM - A Cultural Extravaganza

Saturday, September 2, commences at 6 PM with a cultural showcase that delves into the heart of Filipino artistry and tradition. Prepare to be enthralled by performances from:

Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble: Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing rhythms of traditional Kulintang music, a true embodiment of Filipino heritage.

Malaya Dance Company: Experience the grace and storytelling of Filipino dance through captivating choreography and vibrant costumes.

Rondalla Club of LA: Be enchanted by the melodic sounds of a Filipino string ensemble, a tribute to the Philippines' musical heritage.

Gingee: As the headliner of the night, Gingee brings a fusion of electronic beats and indigenous Filipino instruments, promising an unforgettable musical journey.

Additionally, there will be a vibrant marketplace that features an array of Filipino-American owned vendors offering artisan jewelry, Filipiniana clothing, prints, paintings, stickers, and more. This marketplace embodies the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of the Filipino-American community.