On September 14th, the Rizal Center proudly hosted a workshop performance of Krossroads the Musical by Foline Roos, presented by CIRCA Pintig. The event attracted a packed house of approximately 75 attendees who enjoyed a captivating 2.5-hour performance. Following the show, there was a talkback session with the playwright and artists, allowing the audience to engage directly and provide feedback. These workshop productions are invaluable as they help playwrights and artists refine their work through live audience interactions.
Krossroads the musical
Wellness Workshop with Dr. Tramayne
On September 17th, we held a wellness workshop led by Dr. Tramayne in partnership with Anthrospa Logic. This session focused on self-care techniques tailored for our senior bingo attendees. Participants enjoyed wellness activities, including a facial treatment, where Dr. Tramayne provided products to enhance their daily skincare routines. Additionally, Dr. Tramayne generously donated two $25 gift certificates for Rizal Center’s upcoming fundraiser events!
Wellness workshop with Dr. Tramayne
Musika SamaSama Filipino Festival
The Rizal Center participated in the Musika SamaSama Filipino Festival on September 27th, in collaboration with the SamaSama Project and the Chicago Park District at Eugene Field Park in the Albany Park neighborhood. This festival was a tremendous success, drawing nearly 1,000 attendees and featuring 12 performing groups, various food vendors, and community partners, including the Filipino School of Chicago and the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago. Special VIP speakers included Alderperson Samantha Nugent of the 39th Ward, Alderperson Lenni Manaa-Hoppenworth of the 48th Ward, Chicago’s first Filipina alderperson, along with the newly appointed Philippine Consul General in Chicago, Consul General Melanie Rita Diano. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated volunteers for their leadership in organizing this vibrant event! Check out the Digital Program Booklet, here.
OCTOBER UPCOMING EVENTS
Halo-Halo Project Exhibit: Day 1
Looking ahead, we invite everyone to check out the Halo-Halo Project Exhibit, which opens on October 2nd at the Harold Washington Library. This exhibit, in honor of Filipino American History Month, will feature Filipino American art and will remain on display until January 2026. For more details, click here.
Filipino American History Month Celebration: Day
On October 11th, we will celebrate the second annual Filipino American History Month with a family-friendly event at the Sulzer Regional Library. This full-day celebration will run from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, featuring hands-on activities, speakers, authors, and artists. A special reception will be held at the Rizal Center at 5:00 PM, coinciding with the opening of CIRCA Pintig’s second annual Chicago Filipino American Theater Festival, which will run over three weekends at both the Rizal Center and Pride Arts.
Coming to America Variety Show
Join us for the Coming to America Variety Show, a benefit event aimed at supporting the Rizal Center. This show promises to be a vibrant celebration of culture and talent, and we encourage everyone to attend and support our community initiatives.
Book Reception with Emil De Guzman
On October 25th, the Rizal Center will host a book reception for Emil De Guzman, author of Red Sky: Recollections of the International Hotel. This book chronicles the struggle to save the International Hotel in San Francisco’s Manilatown from demolition, emphasizing the community’s resistance against corporate interests. Emil A. De Guzman is a distinguished community and labor organizer, and his insights will enrich our understanding of cultural resilience.
Rizal Center’s Inaugural Halo-Halo-ween Fundraiser
Save the date for November 1st for our first-ever Halo-Halo-ween fundraiser at the Rizal Center! Full day of activities for everyone!
KapwaCollaborative Gala
Lastly, mark your calendars for the KapwaCollaborative’s Community Arts Fund Benefit Gala on November 30th. This gala aims to support the adoption of a room at the Rizal Center, and we encourage everyone to find more details through the links or QR code provided in our flyers.
Ginger Leopoldo, M.A.
Ginger Leopoldo is a Filipina American educator, actor, director, and community organizer whose career is a testament to the transformative power of popular education and empowering communities through the arts. Her journey began as a teen participant with Kultura, a group dedicated to cultural activism among youth. She went on to become a founding member of the Pintig Cultural Group and later the founding Artistic Director of the Center for Immigrant Resources and Community Arts (CIRCA). Ginger now serves as Executive Director of CIRCA Pintig, leading the organization into its 35th anniversary season.
Leave a Reply