F*ck Art Let's Dance at Manila Contemporary

F*ck Art, Let’s Dance will stubbornly insist that it has no central theme. But we all know a non-theme is a theme in itself. Its attempt to dichotomize an artist’s life into art=work and dance=fun is, in fact, an allusion to a rebellion against the drudgery of careers, crappy salaries and 9-5 jobs. This exhibit is Kiko Escora’s answer to post-monotony revelry, as the artists temporarily “surrender” their art in its respective space to make way for the much-deserved night of mayhem. “F*ck art (for now), and let’s dance the night away.” -- that’s what it really says.

This exhibit marks the foray of these fourteen young artists into the formal gallery system. It is also the first time for a gallery to host an exhibit for Manila’s underground fashion and music scene.

The exhibition will kick off with a party with bands BEE EYES, Pedicab and Taken By Cars, and DJs Gigee, Chie Castaneda and The Diegos – an opening night unlike any other among Manila’s established galleries.

Participating artists, all handpicked by Kiko Escora, include Sharon Atillo, Shahani Gania, Raena Avella, Otto Terapen (RETARDO), Nixon Marquez, Merryloo, Marvin Tojos, Leah Castaneda, Julius Valledor (BEE EYES), Jujin Samonte, Chris Yniguez, Chi Kotur, Cameron Clark and CHI CHI (BLACK BOOK DESIGN/KST).

F*ck Art, Let’s Dance opens on Friday, 12 March 2010 at 6pm in Manila Contemporary.
The exhibition will run until 19 March 2010. Manila Contemporary is located at Whitespace, 2314 Pasong Tamo Extension, Brgy. Magallanes, Makati City. For inquiries about the exhibition, please contact Sidd at 844 7328 or email to s.perez@manilacontemporary.com.

Cultural Center of the Philippines to stage CATS on July 2010

Updated.

Ms.Lea Salonga together with international cast will have a limited run of Cats: Now and Forever at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) beginning July 24, 2010.

Cats tickets will be available exclusively to Citi members until December 6, 2009. There are two ways to buy:

1. Charge payment to your Citi credit card or
2. Present your Citi ATM card and pay CASH at any TicketWorld outlets

For info, contact CitiPhone at 995-9999.
Cats Ticket Prices: 

Matinees: SAT(3:00PM) / SUN(2:30PM)
PhP 7,210/ 5,150/ 3,605/ 2,060/ 1,030

Evenings: TUE(8:00PM) / WED(8:00PM) / THU(8:00PM) / SUN(7:30PM)
PhP 6,180/ 4,635/ 3,090/1,545/ 772.50

Evenings: FRI(8:00PM) / SAT(8:00PM)
PhP 7,210/ 5,150/ 3,605/2,060/ 1,030

Prices are inclusive of 3% service charge. All shows will be held at the CCP Main Theatre (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo). View seatmap here.

The 5th Backdoor Ventures Arts & Music Festival

Surrender to the sensory journey within. Brace your senses as the 5th Backdoor Ventures Arts and Music Festival takes you to a bigger venue…with an even greater roster of acts never before gathered under one roof!

The annual art gathering is the pioneer of all arts and music events in the country. Now on its fifth year, the Festival promises to showcase a grand lineup of activities, workshops, and performances that it is known for; raising the bar to a spectacular level year after year. With its growing audience and list of participants, Backdoor Ventures is moving to a bigger venue; this year it will be held at the Megatrade Hall 2 – a larger space adjacent to Hall 3, which has been the Artsfest’s home for the past years.

“We’re taking the next festival to a higher level as we celebrate the 5th staging of one of the biggest if not the biggest gathering of artists and musicians from different disciplines and genres in the country.” according to Chief Event Organizer, Jay Viriña
Five years of bringing the people back to the arts and bringing the arts back to the people is definitely a milestone for the entire Arts & Music Festival family… We’re really excited for this coming year’s celebration. It just keeps getting better.” He added.

As always, new and exciting activities will be added into the lineup. For one, schools and University organizations around the Metro will be taking a more active role in participating at the next Festival. The hall layout and the stage design is also something to look forward to!

The theme for this coming year is Labyrinth. “A labyrinth signifies a journey to the center.

We picked this concept to convey that art has been and always will be within us all…We’ve vowed to make it our very mission to take them (the people) back and embrace that center. Hence, the journey back to that core,” says Yanna Verbo Acosta, Marketing and Media Relations Director.

The 5th Backdoor Ventures Arts and Music Festival will be held on February 5 – 10, 2010 at the Megatrade Hall 2, SM Megamall.

For inquiries and updates, call +63 2 951 3646 or +63918 540 3248. You may also log on to www.backdoorventures.com and www.backdoorvent.multiply.com for more details.