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“The answer is complicated it could stem from physical barriers because of the amount of traffic to get to downtown, to emotional barriers,” she said. “A lot of people think of the old music center [as having] to pay a lot of money to watch a show-- but that’s not true either. Many are just not aware of the Center’s free activity. We want to change people’s perception…we want them to know this is their music center as well.”
Ramirez said that Filipino community was among the six or seven ethnic groups that they had chosen for the inaugural Global Pop Series.
To further cement their choice, they brought in advisors from the Filipino community.
Search to Involve Pilipino American (SIPA) Joel Jacinto and Public Relations Executive Winston Emano were among the consultants.
“We’ve known Joel Jacinto for centuries,” she said. “We wanted to get in touch with them and not only host them and other leaders of the Filipino community but they were brought in a way so we could go through this hand and hand.”
They chose Lea Salonga because “it was a no-brainer.”
“She’s a huge star in the Philippines and a Broadway star,” said Ramirez. “Her selection was not as scary.”
The final piece of the puzzle arrived when the Blue Ribbon, a philanthropic group of women, made a substantial financial contribution to sponsor the event.
With the first performance being a hit, Ramirez hopes to continue the Global Pop Series and bring in other Filipino artist to perform at a Music Center venue.
She said that after the Salonga performance, attendees were given a survey to fill out and asking for people’s advice.
“We’re interested in looking to see whom they wrote down as the next Filipino star to perform here,” she said.
About Active Arts
Here is a list of upcoming free events available at the Music Center:
August 8 – Dance Downtown Zydeco featuring TLou and his Superhot Zydeco Band
August 9 – Drum Downtown
August 15 – Friday Night Sing-A-Long 80’s Night
August 22 – Dance Downtown Cha Cha & Salsa
For more information about upcoming events or to contribute to the Music Center and Active Arts please go to www.musiccenter.org (www.asianjournal.com)
(Published July 23, 2008 p.mdwk3 LAMDWK)
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3.26 Copyright (C) 2008 Compojoom.com / Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."
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