Empowerment comes in many forms: It’s speaking up on topics that matter and participating in activities that get you out of your comfort zone—on your own terms, of course. And we’re here to tell you that February is the perfect time for that.
The whole month is dedicated to love and the arts—so it’s only right to treat yourself to exhibits and shows that not only enrich your brain, but also remind you that self-expression can be empowering. We’re living in a new decade but people, especially women and the LGBTQ+ community, are still silenced and shamed for speaking their minds.
If you’re looking for empowering art events, Fringe MNL has you covered. Check out our list below to see if there are any that would pique your interest.
“Love Not Love” Exhibit
Feb. 13 to March 5
Kondwi, 6109 Albert Street, Makati City
Curated by David Laboy, “Love Not Love” features works tackling “interpersonal relational cliches based on society’s pre-existing notions on the different forms of love that has been cemented into its collective consciousness.” You might find pieces that speak to you as a single woman or as a significant other.
“Transcendace”
Feb. 14, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Kondwi, 6109 Albert Street, Makati City
Daloy Movement choreographer Ea Torrado will be having a three-hour interactive performance titled “Trascendance” featuring live music from DJ Ed Croix. Torrado will be doing a Daloy Movement Jam where guests are welcome to join and dance while guided “through winged verbalization of anatomical cues and imagery prompts.” The theme of the performance is destroying and transcending the notion of love as clinginess and death without the other.
Explore New Heights: Aerial Yoga
Feb. 15, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Rockwell Atletica, 2/F 38 Rockwell, Rockwell Center, Makati City
Try something new and attend Kasa’s aerial yoga class. Just choose your preferred time here and prepare P500 when you go.
The Sweet Valentine Ball
Feb. 15, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The Addlib Dance Studio, 2/F New Frontier Theater Arcade, 7 Gen. Malvar Avenue, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
If you’ve ever wondered what a ball (like the one in “Pose“) is like, go to The Sweet Valentine Ball. It will be hosted by the House of Mizrahi, the first-ever voguing house in the Philippines. Watch performers and guests unapologetically be themselves while dancing and flaunting their lewks at the ball. Door charge is P250 and P100 if you want to enter a category.
Bodabil
Feb. 18, 9 p.m. to 12 m.n.
Draper Startup House, 5048 P. Burgos Street, Makati City
Burlesque PH will hold a cabaret show featuring empowered female, male and LGBTQ+ performers. If your idea of burlesque is merely stripping and getting naked on stage, you’re wrong. These performers use elements of theater, dance and comedy in their numbers, while also owning their sexuality.
“To Have and to Ho”
Feb. 22, 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Draper Startup House, 5048 P. Burgos Street, Makati City
Deus Sex Machina is known for their comedic erotic live reading shows where they openly talk about sex without any judgment in hopes of destroying taboos around the discussion. In “To Have and to Ho,” they’re celebrating two of their members’ marriage by “turning everything they love into sex jokes.” Tickets will be available at the door for P350.
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These are just some of the events in Fringe MNL’s 2020 calendar. There will be events until March so be sure to check the schedule or download the Be app to see if you and your friends can go during your free time.
For more updates, follow Fringe MNL on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
See you there!
Photos courtesy of Fringe MNL
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