Tag: manila

Ariadne the Ballerina

I am a frustrated ballerina. Up to this point, I still wonder what if I took formal ballet as a child. I will never forget my ballet presentation in school, where we had a show in Folk Arts Theater, no less.

My daughter, meanwhile, loved ballet, that it took us three years to ensure she likes it.

Aria finally finished her first ballet classes under Ballet Manila.

Since we only live in the next street, we decided to enrol in this school run by Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Osias Barroso.

Three years ago when she first learned about ballet, through a cartoon called Angelina Ballerina, and eventually through a book about ballet which I bought online.

She had watched a lot of ballet performances, from three ballet companies in the area (I love Pasay City because it’s an arts hub, despite the crowded and traffic streets!). The very first full length we watched was in 2014 which is Ballet Philippines’ Cinderella. Then we watched Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang, which was her fifth birthday outreach activity, sponsoring kids from Food for Hungry Minds to watch this ballet. Before Christmas last year, she watched Philippine Ballet Theater’s The Nutcracker with her dad, and Ballet Philippines’ Peter Pan.

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Aria treated all these kids (plus some of their teachers and parents) to a night of ballet and Philippne literature. A memorable fifth birthday for her.

And so, this summer, we asked her again if she is really decided to take ballet. Since this will take up most of her time, we really had to ask her not once but a lot of times.

Good thing, Ballet Manila had an Open House activity in March where Aria got to try a full hour of lesson.

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The lonesome student with the teacher. Teacher Maika was also her actual teacher in her class.

What we liked about Ballet Manila was, aside from its proximity, the waiting area for parents and guardians has CCTV so you could see your child while in class. I just hope they would be more strict in terms of security, especially when their gates are wide open and outside the parking area is the busy one way street already.

Finally, she started lessons in April. We didn’t have ballet clothes yet, but we got sponsors.

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Aria got this leotard from one of my voice students.

My mom and sister (thank God for them!) bought almost all of her clothes–from leotards to tights to shoes.

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First day high. And lookmat her purple shoes! Nope, the recommended attire is pink, but she eventually got pink ones soon after. Purple rocks!

Aria had ballet lessons three times a week, but since Mommy and Daddy had to work, too, it was mostly my mom–her Nonna–who takes her to class. Good thing we’re literally a skip and a hop away! One pedicab, actually, since it was scorching hot during her timeslot of 11 in the morning.

She eventually had rehearsals, which filled up her afternoons. She skipped a couple of sessions due to other pre-scheduled events (which were actually because of this blog). She even squeezed in two weeks of swimming lessons in a nearby hotel (that’a story for another day).

Thereafter, they had a photoshoot session for the souvenir program.

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She got so dark because of swimming.
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This was her class, Twinkle Toes level. 5-6 year olds.

She was so excited for the recital, that ever since learning her steps, she kept on practicing at home with her doll as partner (talk about artist discipline!). She also kept on reminding me and her dad about recital day, and made sure she invited the people dear to her to watch.

Recital day came, and we were in full force to support our little ballerina! They danced two musical numbers, and sharing with you one of them here. Click this link.

We are so proud of our little ballerina!

So, do we continue? Yes, we will, but probably delay it for a couple months since we are starting Grade 1 already and we will homeschool (yes, another post!).

It was one fulfilling summer for her. And for us parents, too.

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Daddy wrote this dedication for the souvenir program.
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Prima Ballerina and my little ballerina. #fangoals (for me, that is!).

How did you spend your summer?

~ Touringkitty

Liederabend: a night of singing and classical guitar music

Lieder. It’s one of my favourite musical genres. Mozart, Bach, Schubert, and Schumann music were, for me, very intersting to study and sing. And I look forward to listening these music, as delivered by this duo of the male voice and warm guitar strings.

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Ayala Museum and IPAV, Inc. in partnership with Lufthansa, Official Airline, present

Liederabend:
A Night of German Songs

An Ayala Museum GuitarNights Feature

featuring LIED DUO
Knut Schoch & Carsten Linck
June 2, 2016 |  6:30 PM | Ayala Museum Ground Floor Lobby

In the 19th century, the “golden age” of the guitar, songs with a guitar accompaniment was the most popular form of vocal music-making. Innumerable compositions for this combination – not only in German – appeared at this time, true masterpieces in a virtually inexhaustible repertoire of songs. It was only from the 1830s that this position on the “popularity scale” was increasingly assumed by the piano, and the guitar song was gradually pushed into the background.

           To this day, the wistfulness of the guitar, its sensitivity and delicacy, still reveal a very personal and rather intimate view of the songs of love, passion and death. The listener often finds these settings of poems dealing with romantic feelings or the descriptions of nature popular at the time to be more authentic, and especially in the quieter ranges, more subtle.

           The concerts given by the LIED duo (Knut Schoch and Carsten Linck), are always received with enthusiasm by their audience on account of their freshness and intensity, demonstrate the value of reviving the treasures of the guitar song genre from this period. Their usual repertoires include both original compositions from the 1800s and original arrangements of works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, and Johannes Brahms.

           The duo’s captivating concert appearances, enhanced by short introductions to the works and their respective composers composers, give an unforgettable insight into rarely heard but exciting repertoires. In addition, transcriptions such as of the song cycle Die schöne Müllerin by Franz Schubert provide an opportunity to discover new perspectives to old familiar works.

           For these song recitals, Carsten Linck plays a 19th century guitar replica by Johann Georg Staufer which has a very similar sound to a fortepiano of the period. As the guitar is played standing, the player can perform in an informal narrative style, creating a very lively performance for the audience.

TO READ MORE ABOUT THE LIED DUO, CLICK HERE.

ABOUT THE CONCERT SERIES

GuitarNights is a new addition to the list of musical experiences offered by Ayala Museum and Independent Philippine Art Ventures, Inc. (IPAV), gathering some of the country’s foremost and international classical guitarists, bringing the familiar and beloved instrument to a whole new light.

TICKET PRICES AND HOW TO PURCHASE

P 700 Regular
P 560 Discounted Rate*
P 500 Senior Citizens
P 300 Students

Tickets available for sale at the Ayala Museum ticket counter, open during museum hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 9 AM to 6 PM.

* Discount applies to Ayala Museum Members, Ayala Rewards Circle, and AGC Employees.
 

Terms and Conditions for purchasing tickets:

Pre-event

Tickets are now available for sale at the Ayala Museum, Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati, open from Tuesday-Sunday, 9 AM to 6 PM.Kindly present a valid ID to avail of applicable discounts.Cash payment is preferred.Limited seats available. In the event the maximum seating capacity is already reached, succeeding buyers will be duly informed of standing room only status and can purchase tickets at the minimum price (P 300).It is best to call 759 82 88 local 31 or 35 to get the latest update on the availability of tickets.

During concert date

Counter for unclaimed and/or unsold tickets (if any) will open on June 2, 2016. Gates will open at 5:30 PM.Ticket holders who were guaranteed seats (purchased before reaching maximum capacity status) during the sale period may sit anywhere. Please note that there are no seat assignments and that seating is first-come, first served.All tickets sold for the June 2, 2016 concert is valid only during said date.

For inquiries and reservations:
CALL: 759 82 88 local 31
EMAIL: concerts@ayalamuseum.org

Touringkittyps: Three unique (and meaningful) Halloween events for your kids

Real talk. I am not that keen in celebrating Halloween, even now that I have a kid. Besides, isn’t it that Halloween celebrations here in the country started just in the past decade?

As kids, our Halloween–make that All Souls Day– celebrations include the traditional viewing of a special “Magandang Gabi Bayan” episode on a Saturday night, either in our home or on one of our cousins or friends in the same compound. We’d scare each other out with the stories in the show, or literally playing “mumu,” or ghosts complete with blankets as makeshift costumes and flashlights as props. We’re happy crazy with that.

And now, so many Halloween events have sprouted, and even establishments are garbed up in orange/black Halloween fashion. Let’s celebrate it, with meaning and purpose! Here are three unique and meaningful events where you can take your children to.

1. Celebrate with orchestral music

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Our favourite orchestra, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra with its conductor, Maestro Olivier Ochanine, will have a special performance with…volcanoes?! “Tricks and Musical Treats, A PPO Family Concert” will feature a musical storytelling of Flowanda, the explorer of the land of Volcano Milava at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Sunday, October 25, 2015 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) at 4:00 PM. There will be pre-concert activities starting at 2:30 PM which include a musical instruments petting zoo wherein children can experience playing different orchestral instruments assisted by the members of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. There will also be trick or treat and lobby activities. The children are encouraged to come in their costumes.

This is a good way to introduce orchestral music to our children, and children at heart. Not only that, watching this concert also shows your support for our local artists, music, culture and arts.

For more information, please call the CCP Marketing Department at 832-3704 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.

2. Celebrate with saints

Halloween is the eve of All Saints, which is the first day of Allhallowtide, the third day being All Souls’ Day (November 2nd). In the previous years, we get to celebrate this with a homeschooling group, called Rockers Philippines. Last year, Aria came in as St. Cecilia, patroness of musicians.

Aria as St. Cecilia. With some of the Rockers Kids at St. Rita de Cascia church in Philam Homes.
Aria as St. Cecilia. With some of the Rockers Kids at St. Rita de Cascia church in Philam Homes.

Christ the King Parish in Greenmeadows will have their Kingdom of Heaven Fair on October 31. Visit their Facebook page for more details.

 

3. Celebrate as a superhero


Trick or treat for a cause! UNICEF is calling on all superheroes to raise funds for children in need. Visit any Toy Kingdom branch to get your Trick or treat kit, or UNICEF Philippines website for details.

Take your pick, or do all three! And celebrate a unique and meaningful Halloween with your family.

Looking for more activities? While it might seem dangerous skating is a great activity for kids, check out Skate Hq’s “kids hockey gear” to learn more.

 

~ Touringkitty

CONCERT: Ang Soap Opera ng Buhay Ko: Voices of Healing

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One night featuring top artists in the music industry, performing for a noble cause. What more can you ask for?

Choral groups will take part as well. The Ateneo Chamber Singers (where my husband sings currently), the UP MedChoir, and Mass Appeal, along with other solo artists and performers, and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, will join forces for the UP College of Medicine Academic Center.

Hope you could support this concert! Full details below.

The University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Fund, Inc. (UPMAF) will hold a concert called “Ang SOAP Opera ng Buhay Ko” (The Concert: Voices of Healing) at the new Marriott Grand Ballroom on August 26, 2015 to raise funds to create the New UP College of Medicine Academic Center,  a 7-story multi-million peso undertaking.

The dinner concert will feature several of the biggest names in the international and local concert scene, including the 50-piece ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gerard Salonga, this special night will bring together Lea Salonga, Ryan Cayabyab, Jed Madela, Vice Ganda, Mark Bautista, Cris Villonco, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Bituin Escalante, Pinky Marquez, Franco Laurel, The Tux, Caisa Borromeo, Baihana, Catherine Fisher, among others, as they join the community in a collective voice of healing. A 70-strong chorus composed of The Mass Appeal, Ateneo Chamber Singers and UP Medicine Choir will also fill the grandiose ballroom.

This will be Lea Salonga’s last concert before she flies to New York to star in a show called “Allegiance,”  which previews in Broadway on October 20!

For ticket and sponsorship inquiries please contact, Dr. Melfred L. Hernandez (0917) 815-2029), Overall Chair, Dr. Karin Estepa (0922) 825-3146, Chair, Business Committee, or Ms Kareen Tapia (0923) 8568043 of UPMAF (02) 5264255, upmaf.secretariat@gmail.com.