A showcase of the current progress of Jasmine X Lavender's newest film "High Tides" with a talk back with the production team and cast.The film is about Kaia (They/She), a Filipinx nonbinary lesbian artist, who builds a surreal world in their own mind to detach and escape from their reality through their drawing that come to life. They experience heartbreak after Luna (She/Her), their Filipina bisexual best friend whom they are in love with, tells them they are interested in dating someone else. As Kaia becomes overwhelmed by this, their grasp of reality spins out of control as their inner world becomes more and more surreal and begins to affect how they act in the friendship. Kaia's sense of power and motivation alludes to a Philippine myth of the Bakunawa; a yearning of sea serpent deity whose desire for the moon leads to the eradication of the moon's light. Kaia and Luna's story parallels the natural phenomenon of ocean tides changing due the gravitational pull of the moon. The film uses 2D rotoscope animation, 3D animation, and VFX to reflect the push and pull of this relationship.
Ripples Make Waves was created to honor those who came before us. This intimate exhibit invites you to explore the embedded stories within textiles and reflect on how your own journey weaves into a larger tapestry. Experience the power of the kusikus pattern of Northern Luzon in motion through a handwoven sail as well as learn about the significance of this pattern. Offerings of this evening include a weaving lounge, weaver panel discussion, and a community reading to close out the evening.
Celebrate intergenerational storytelling, Filipino American history, and the power of film at The Making of Oakland Ilokana — a drop-in event where stories come alive through art, conversation, and collaboration across generations.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Oakland Ilokana, a documentary-in-progress by filmmaker and Balay Kreative artist Elenita Makani O’Malley. The film shares the story of her grandmother, Lola Marie — one of the first Filipinas born in 1930s Oakland — and explores the evolution of Filipino American identity across generations.
Then, dive into interactive activities that showcase how personal and collective stories are preserved, and leave inspired to explore your own family’s history!
The Sampaguitas sing Filipino folk songs in three-part harmony. Together, Jenevieve Francisco, Cristina Ibarra and Aireene Espiritu explore their third culture identities through original music and songs from their roots. The Sampaguita is the national flower of The Philippines and only fitting to describe the sweet sounds coming from their melded vocal textures, tones, and tight harmonies. This special pre-Valentine's Day concert will feature traditional songs, inspired originals, and a preview of new music recorded at Women's Audio Mission, made possible by the Balay Kreative Growth grant.
“Everyone’s Busy” - the EP is Pinay Voltron’s debut of original sound recordings.
We will host a final live performance where live renditions of the songs from the EP will be performed in-person for the first time ever!
Additionally, the community will be invited to join a jam session. Jam sessions are a playful way to foster community building as audience members will get to physically contribute to the vibe of the environment they are contained in by playing with musical instruments
For our band, jamming is an important ritual of playful sonic conversation that allows us to expand our intuition around listening, creation, and cooperation with one another as a unit.
In Bituin is a semi-autobiographical performance about a Filipino American comic in search of his cultural identity and finds the love of his life in Manila only to tragically lose her 29 years later to cancer. The title is a play on the words "in-between" using the Pilipino word bituin meaning stars to describe the spaces between the light of his cultural identity and now, the darkness of his enduring grief.
Makabagong Kumparsa is a performance piece that celebrates the beauty and complexity of Philippine Rondalla Music. Rondalla is an ensemble of fourteen-string instruments that consist of mandolins known as the bandurria, laud, octavina, and guitarra. These instruments are remnants of our colonial past, but have become an integral part of Filipino cultural expression over the last century.
Explore the stories woven into textiles as we come together in this hands-on weaving workshop. Together we will discuss the kusikus, or ‘whirlpool’ pattern, as well as dive into ‘reading’ textiles to uncover narratives woven into each piece. We will then walk through the basics of weaving with a focus on using warp floats. At the end of this workshop, you will have your very own kusikus coaster to take home!
This beginner-friendly workshop invites you to connect with the tradition of weaving, whether you're new to the craft, looking to deepen your skills, or just hang out and learn something new.
The Bay Area is home to some of the most talented Filipinx artists in the country. Curator Nikki Meñez and Balay Kreative, a home for Filipinx artists, bring together women who rock the mic with their humor and wit — Ouida, Granny Cart Ganstas, and Mabuhay Gardens — for a night of music and comedy showcasing laughter and art as resilience.
The Sulat Festival aims to enrich the visibility of the SOMA Pilipinas Cultural District through traditional writing (Sulat) in storefronts, murals, and signs.
Join us at the Sulat Festival to celebrate and enrich the visibility of the SOMA Pilipinas Cultural District. Experience the beauty of traditional writing (Sulat) through captivating storefronts, vibrant murals, and artistic signs.
Our festival offers engaging hands-on workshops, insightful talks, and exciting showcases by local vendors. Dive into the world of traditional scripts and discover their significance in socio-economic development.
Featuring expert speakers such as Ray Haguisan, Norman de los Santos, Chris Sundita, Jeff Quintano, Dr. Christopher Miller, and Kristian Kabuay, you'll gain valuable insights from script basics to language evolution. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of traditional writing and its cultural impact.
Explore the Sulat Festival and be part of a vibrant celebration of heritage and creativity in the heart of SOMA Pilipinas.
