A month-long series of collaborative events spearheaded by the Kathara Society culminates in an evening of performances titled Kapwa Fest 2018: The Art of Our Relations on November 2 at the Scotiabank Dance Centre in Vancouver.
Kapwa Fest 2018 is a collaboration between Canadian Filipinos and indigenous cultural artists of Coast Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Artist and poet Kim Villagante, also known as Kimmortal, will host the collaborative event featuring performances by Filipino and First Nations artists including music and poetry by Coast Salish artist Kat Norris and Vancouver-based band Kin Balam, dance and movement by contemporary artist Alvin Erasga Tolentino, percussionist Babette Santos, performing groups Butterflies in Spirits, Moccasin Sisters and the Kathara Dance Theatre. Also joining the show are tattoo artist Mayo Landicho and storyteller Cease Wyss.
Lead-up events and workshops in October were considered “firsts” in the community. Poet Kimmortal (Kim Villagante) led a song-writing workshop for youth at the Creekside Community Centre that focuses on mixing Filipino traditional and indigenous rhythms with contemporary hip-hop music woven into themes of indigeneity and de-colonization. Tin Gamboa’s contemporary dance workHuman Connection in Ancestry depicts and uses the body as a container to express memories passed on from ancestors through movement and dance. Shishir Inocalla’s Hilotwhich introduced the ancient Filipino traditional art of healing took place at the Collingwood Neighbourhood House.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite a thttps://bit.ly/2RKSlpr.
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