Eye on Filipino Music at the Hollywood Bowl with Black Eyed Peas’ Apl.de.ap

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I am excited to be one of the many hosts of this Sunday’s celebration of Filipino music at the Hollywood Bowl.

I have always attended events at the Bowl as a spectator but this time around I  come to learn and embrace something entirely new to me.  The night will showcase the chronological journey of Filipino music from the 1930’s to present day.

I am most excited to see the Spanish influence on the Kayamanan Ng Lahi, who waltz across the stage in a fashion very similar to that of the Flamenco.

There is now doubt that Filipinos today are a vital part of LA’s musical landscape.  DJ Poet of the Black Eyed Peas and DJ E Man of KPWR are set to take part in the traditional tinkling dance portion of the night, which involves the banging of two bamboo sticks together on beat to the sounds and scratches of the DJ’s on the turntables.

I am also excited to see members of the Black Eyed Peas, who have had quite the amazing journey beginning on the streets of Los Angeles and finding success on top of the charts and award shows. I have not seen these guys on a stage since back in the late 90’s when Tom Schnabel presented them on a tiny stage on the corner of Sunset Blvd.

It’s also great that the curator of this event is the Pea’s very own Apl.de.ap, who was born in the Philipines and moved to the U.S. when he was 14 and is sharing his spotlight with the culture that he is very much proud of.

I am proud of the Peas and most importantly proud that KCRW and the Bowl continue to educate the public with the arts and events that showcase so many great musical and artistic contributions by various cultures from around the world. After all, this is the World Music Festival.

— Anthony Valadez