Voting open for Jojo Zolina as Vancouver's urban culture best dancer

Image from the InterWebs

Jojo Zolina, also known as Jojo Dancer and hails from the Philippines, has been nominated for Vancouver's best dancer category in the first ever Urban Culture Conference and Awards 2011 in Vancouver, Canada. The conference will be held August 27-28, 2011.

Zolina was trained in Philippine folk dance as a child and knows, among other dance disciplines, bboying, vogueing and waacking.  Read this profile of him to learn more.

Vote for Jojo Zolina:

1. go to http://urbancultureconference.com/

2. in "Step 1" click "arts"

3. in "Step 2" click "dancer"

4. vote and repeat!

Here is Zolina in action:

Jojo's cousin Carlo Viray Valderrama is also a dancer.  Valderrama is with Airdance in the Philippines.

What do you think of this contest? Share your comments.

Word of Mouth Theater's "Merchant of Venice" starting August 2011

Announcement from Word of Mouth Theater

Word of Mouth Theater will stage
William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice"
set in the Jazz Age

Shows start in August 2011.

For reservations or bookings,
contact 0917-896-3080, 0999-778-7777, 489-4819, merchant.wom@gmail.com, merchant_wom@yahoo.com.

What do you think of this production? Share your comments.

Winners of 2010 Gawad Buhay!

Here is the list of winners of the 2010 Gawad Buhay!, the Philstage Awards for the performing arts, announced during the ceremonies last May 25, 2011 at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino, Cultural Center of the Philippines.  The 2010 set of awards marks the third year of the Gawad Buhay!

List of nominees can be seen here.

Natatanging Gawad Buhay! (Lifetime Achievement Awards)
Ryan Cayabyab
Tony Espejo
Lisa Macuja-Elizalde
Tony Mabesa

OUTSTANDING PLAY (tie)
Equus, Repertory Philippines
Tatlong Mariya, Tanghalang Pilipino

OUTSTANDING MUSICAL PRODUCTION
Little Women, Repertory Philippines

OUTSTANDING DANCE PRODUCTION
Crisostomo Ibarra, Ballet Philippines

OUTSTANDING STAGE DIRECTION
Audie Gemora, Equus

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE (Play)
American Hwangap

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE (Musical)
Little Women

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE (Dance)
Peter Pan

OUTSTANDING FEMALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
Mailes Kanapi, Tatlong Mariya

OUTSTANDING MALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
Mario O’Hara, American Hwangap (Filipino version)

OUTSTANDING FEMALE FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
Che Ramos, Tatlong Mariya

OUTSTANDING MALE FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
Mario O’ Hara, Tatlong Mariya

OUTSTANDING FEMALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Caissa Borromeo, Little Women

OUTSTANDING MALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Robert Sena, Si Juan Tamad, Ang Dyablo at ang Limag Milyong Boto

FEMALE FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Cara Barredo, Little Women

OUTSTANDING MALE FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
No nominee

OUTSTANDING FEMALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A CLASSICAL DANCE PRODUCTION
Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, The Nutcracker

OUTSTANDING MALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A CLASSICAL DANCE PRODUCTION
No nominee

OUTSTANDING FEMALE FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A CLASSICAL DANCE PRODUCTION
Mylene Aggabao, The Nutcracker

OUTSTANDING MALE FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A CLASSICAL DANCE PRODUCTION
No nominee

OUTSTANDING FEMALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MODERN DANCE PRODUCTION
Candice Adea, September Gala

OUTSTANDING MALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MODERN DANCE PRODUCTION
JM Cordero, Crisostomo Ibarra

OUTSTANDING FEMALE FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MODERN DANCE PRODUCTION
Carissa Adea, Crisostomo Ibarra

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MODERN DANCE PRODUCTION
Angel Gabriel, Crisostomo Ibarra

OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCRIPT
No nominee

OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL LIBRETTO
Bienvenido Lumbera, Banaag at Sikat

OUTSTANDING ADAPTATION OR TRANSLATION
Rody Vera, Tatlong Mariya

OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION
Gerard Salonga, Little Women

OUTSTANDING MUSICAL COMPOSITION
No nominee

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY FOR A PLAY OR MUSICAL
Edna Vida, Banaag at Sikat

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY FOR A DANCE PRODUCTION (tie)
Carlo Pacis, Shifting Wait
Edna Vida, Peter Pan

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN
Dennis Lagdameo, Equus

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN
John Neil Batalla, Equus

OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN
Jethro Joaquin, Equus

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN
Loy Arcenas, Tatlong Mariya

What do you think of these awards? Share your comments.

9 Works Theatrical's "Sweet Charity" announces cast for August 2011 run

Announcement from 9 Works Theatrical 

Casting announced for "Sweet Charity"

In Augst 2011, 9 Works Theatrical will stage “Sweet Charity,” a dance comedy musical about dance-partner-for-hire Charity's adventures and misadventures in the ways of love.

TV personality Nikki Gil plays the lead role of kooky dance hall hostess Charity Hope Valentine. Gil was last seen as Elle Woods in the local production of the musical “Legally Blonde” in 2010.

Singer/TV host Kris Lawrence plays Oscar Lindquist, Charity's love interest.

With book by Neil Simon ("Promises, promises," "The Odd Couple"), music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields, “Sweet Charity” was originally directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse ("Pippin," "Chicago") when it premiered on Broadway in 1966.

Shiela Valderrama-Martinez as Nickie and Ciara Sotto-Oconer as Helene will play Sweet Charity’s closest confidantes, while Sheree Vidal-Bautista will play Carmen, one of Charity’s co-dancers.

Other cast members include Miguel Faustmann, OJ Mariano, Tasy Garrucha, Caisa Borromeo, Chinie Nepomuceno, Vinia Pamplona and Carmelle Ros, Topper Fabregas, Job Bautista. Francis Matheu, Anthony Tarrosa Ong, Peter Alcedo and Chai Relucio.

Robbie Guevara directs with assistant director Lorenz Martinez, band musical director Joseph Tolentino, scenographer Mio Infante, lighting designer Martin Esteva, and costume designers Infante and Hanna de los Reyes.

“Sweet Charity” opens August 5, 2011 and will run on all weekends of the month at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati.

A limited number of performances are available for fundraising and block-buying. Please call 5575860, 5867105 or 0917-5545560 or email info@9workstheatrical.com.

*****

Here's a Youtube video of one of the musical's most famous songs performed by Shirley Bassey:

What do you think of this production? Share your comments.

Actors' Playhouse acting class June-October 2011

Actors' Playhouse
An acting class facilitated by
Ana Valdes-Lim
(Julliard-trained author of "Actors' Workshop" and "Workshop: A Manual on Acting and Evolutionary Theater")


June-October 2011
5:30 to 7:00 pm
Mondays (rehearsal techniques)
Wednesdays (Shakespeare rehearsal techniques)
Black box Theater, Assumption College, Makati City

Tuition:
P600 / class
P2,500 for 5 classes
P5,000 for 12 classes

Contact 817-0757 loc. 1164 or 0917-899-0113 or keimamangun@yahoo.com

What do you think of this class? Share your comments.

Philippine Opera Company's "Harana" September 2011

Announcement from Philippine Opera Company

In celebration of Philippine Opera Company's 11th year in the industry,
watch out for the latest in
"HARANA ... a musical journey every Filipino should take"
this September 2011
at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza Bldg., Makati City.

A power cast is joined by fresh faces and your favorite musical suites are infused with new energy through the addition of song selections that are sure to delight and captivate!

For show buyers please call 881-7168 or 0917-5272880.

What do you think of this production? Share your comments.

Deadline of proposal submissions for 2nd CCP Choreographers' Cup June 10, 2011

Announcement from Ballet Philippines

For all new choreographers between ages 15 and 45:
Call for Proposals for 2nd Cultural Center of the Pilippines Choreographer’s Cup

a bi-annual neo-classical choreography competition. 

Deadline for submission is June 10, 2011.

The competition aims to discover and nurture new choreographers, and encourage them to explore the neo-classical genre, using the space and artists of Ballet Philippines as medium. This competition is open toall young Filipino choreographers from ages 15- 45, who will be given the chance to work with Ballet Philippines and BP II.

To discover and develop ballet artists from the regions, a minimum of 4 slots will be allocated for artists from outside theNational Capital Region and will additionally be given transportation and housing provisions by the CCP and Ballet Philippines for the duration of the residency and competition.

Send a 300-word concept for a 3-6 minute neo-classical ballet for 1-3 dancers with the theme “The Ideal Woman” and your bio-data to info@balletphilippines.org. You may also submit your concept to the Office of the Artistic Director, Ballet Philippines, Ground Level, Cultural Center of the Philippines Building, Roxas Blvd, Pasay City.

Winners receive cash prizes of up to P20,000 and a chance to  showcase their work in a major BP production this season. Champion Choreographers may get a chance to be recommended to International Dance Festivals and Competitions.

Call 832-3689 or 832-3676, 821-1125 loc. 1622, 1602 and 1603.

What do you think of this competition? Share your comments.

If These Walls Could Talk in Toronto May 28-29, 2011

Announcement from Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts and Culture

Carlos Celdran's
If These Walls Could Talk
Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
May 28-29, 2011
Free admission

Carlos Celdran, a Philippines-based performance artist, dubbed "The Pied Piper of Manila," will be coming to Toronto to perform his world famous walking tour of Intramuros, the oldest district of Manila, with the Harbourfront Centre grounds starring as the walled, Spanish-built city.

Armed with 19th-century period costume, and carrying only his picture book, a tiny boombox, and a Britney Spears-style head mic, Celdran will enlighten audiences. His irreverent, and entertaining re-telling of Manila’s colourful history will make you laugh, cry and change the way you see Philippines' capital city.

For details, contact +1-416-979-0600 or info@kapisanancentre.com.
More info here and here.

What do you think of this production/performance? Share your comments.

Seven Contemporary Dance Company's "Envy" May 26-27, 2011

Announcement from Seven Contemporary Dance Company

Seven Contemporary Dance Company
presents
"Envy"
(a Seven Deadly Sins sequel)

Choreographed by Christine Crame and Kristoffer Legarde
May 26-27, 2011
Museum for Contemporary Art and Design,
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde's School of Design and Arts Campus,
950 P. Ocampo St. (formerly Vito Cruz St.), Malate, Manila

Call 211-2522 or 0917-537-1231 or 0927-553-4168.

What do you think of this production? Share your comments.

Tayo's "We Do Not Sleep" May 26-28, 2011

Announcement from Tayo

taYo presents

WE DO NOT SLEEP

for mature audiences only

May 26, 27 and 28, 2011, 8PM sharp

Dance Forum Studio, 36E West Avenue, Quezon City

Concept and Direction by Pat Valera and BJ Crisostomo

Collaborative devise by the taYo Ensemble

a "play" for & about our generation
of insomniac,
manic,
mechanical,
technological,
dreamless
(kids)

and the search for
a fight and
flight.

taYo is a collaboration of young artists (actors, dancers, opera singers, writers, dramaturgs, directors, choreographers, film makers, musicians, designers and even critics) from the main roads of Katipunan & Diliman. With the benefit of youth & insanity, taYo is a platform for the experimental and unconventional - echoing the voices, screams and whispers of the sleepless.

What do you think of this production? Share your comments.

Happy Days Ahead's "The Circus is in Town" May 24, 2011

Announcement from Happy Days Ahead

The Circus is in Town, a happy musical

24 MAY 2011 / 70s Bistro / house opens @ 7PM / show starts promptly @ 8PM

Tickets @ P200

"The Circus Is In Town" happy musical is a site-specific theatrical experience devised and directed by J Victor Villareal. Featuring "minute monologues" from an all-star cast of thespians plus LIVE music from Happy Days Ahead band.

Call +639227695963.
Email happydaysaheadband@yahoo.com

What do you think of this production? Share your comments.

Candice Adea wins prize at 2011 Boston International Ballet Competition

Photo by http://www.bmengini.com/welcome.php

It was only back in March when a group of young Filipino ballet dancers were working hard to raise funds so they could join a competition abroad and Theaterbator blog featured their solicitation  letter, and now:

Candice Adea has won the Maris Liepa Prize for Outstanding Artistry
at the 2011 Boston International Ballet Competition.

This special prize will be presented by BIBC 2011 judge Andris Liepa, son of late ballet legend Maris Liepa. The prize recipient will be invited to perform in Paris in 2012 along with stars from Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theaters presenting Fokine ballets as part of the Russian season in France. Candice will be performing “Firebird.”

Adea and her dance partner Jean Marc Cordero have also been invited by the artistic director of Chelyabinsk State Academy Opera and Ballet Theater to perform lead roles in a full-length production. All expenses paid. Date and production to be announced.

Last year (2010), Adea won the silver medal for senior division at the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi.

What do you think of their success? Share your comments.