Are you a fan of jazz? Are you a fan of music?

If you are, then prove it by joining the biggest musical festival in the country this year: The Philippine International Jazz and Arts Festival 2008, which started last 29^th of February in Manila and runs until the 15^th of March. Featured international artists include Lee Ritenour, Kurt Elling, Omar Sosa, Sara Gazarek, Chico and the Gypsies, and Incognito. From local shores we have Johnny Alegre, Bob Aves Group, Toti Fuentes, Gerard Salonga, Manuel Baldemor, and the Brass Munkeys, among others.

The event this year is made more special because the organizer, P.I. Jazz Foundation, is now involved with UNICEF. Efforts are being made to bring jazz to the youth through development programs such as school workshops in Far Eastern University and the University of Santo Tomas, summer music training courses, a talent search contest, and mall tours featuring our top local musicians.

The real reason why I am all hyped up about it, however, is the phenomenal Raul Midón. You’ve simply got to see him! The blind New York City-based singer-songwriter and guitarist will be down at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza to give a free workshop on March 12. And on March 13, he’ll be featured in the main concert with Montreal-based jazz pianist Lorraine Demarais.

For more information, visit the official website at http://www.pijazzfest.com.

Joey, the human behind Mistula.com is looking for donations in form of old clothes, yarn, beads, buttons, ribbons, fabric scraps, etc. These materials will be used to create MANIKAKO dolls, which Mistula, along with OTAP (Taong Pinay) and ManikaManila members will be selling at this year’s Toycon.

We will be selling MANIKAKO, Do-It-Yourself ragdolls that people can jazz up on the spot. The MANIKAKO ragdolls are made from fabric and accessories donated by kind individuals who believe that art and creativity can help uplift children in poverty. The proceeds of this project will go to funding the OTAP workshops that teach healing art such as doll-making to children in need of happiness and hope.

By teaching children to make their own toys out of scraps and their innate talents, we help them remember, reconnect and mine their capacity to create, to imagine, and to endure.

-Professor May Datuin, co-founder of OTAP

You can drop off your donations at the following venues:
Y&R Philippines
20F Yuchengco Tower, RCBC Plaza
6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City
CONTACT: Joey and Uno

Level-Up Games, Inc.
11F Pacific Star Bldg.
Makati Ave. Cor. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City
CONTACT: Lilith, Rose Community Manager

Liongoren Art Gallery
111 New York St., Cubao, Quezon City
CONTACT: Hannah

Faculty Center, Art Studies Department
University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City
CONTACT: Professor May Datuin

For more information, you can get in touch with Joey over at Fully Articulated, or by emailing webmessiah@mistula.com

Our country is the so-called “Pearl of the Orient”. But of course. This is not to say, however, that we can’t celebrate with the rest of the Western - European - front in marking the World Book Day. In my humble opinion, this cultural tradition - this love for books - must be established as a global one, wherever in the world we may find ourselves.

Every year, you see, April 23 is regarded as a symbolic date for world literature as it marks the international day for books, known as the World Book Day (International Day of the Book or World Book and Copyright Day). The yearly event, initiated by Unesco in 1995, pays a worldwide tribute to books and authors as well as promotes reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property through copyright.

Today, Instituto Cervantes will mark the special occasion - though two days earlier - with a day-long Open House and Book Fair. So Manilenyos, you know where you should be. According to the official website, activities include -

- jazz shows; an electronic music concert by Drip (an amazing band which I’ve been fortunate enough to have seen in Saguijo); film showings; Spanish food fair; La Mancha wine & cheese tasting; free salsa & Latin dance classes; photo and declamation contests; and a Book Market where Instituto Cervantes will offer, at token price, more than 4,000 brand new books.

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Sitti who?

The on-going mall tour of the Philippine Jazz Festival has been a wonderful musical experience. While Sitti did play, other bands and artists are also showcasing their unique stuff to bring the local brand of jazz to the limelight. New movers and shakers, as they say.
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(Photo from Corbis)

Today, courtesy of Pandora, my status message in Messenger betrayed a liking for all things Tony Bennett. So a colleague saw it fit to give me an event alert. Very much appreciated, nevertheless - which is why I’ll be quick to spread the word myself. After all, Christmas is the season for saxophones.
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Techie Metrobloggers will be glad to get the heads up on the latest look you can get for your babies (Ah, yes. Techies treat their gadgets as if these are their offsprings).

Malling is not entirely useless after all. I was window shopping last Saturday and discovered GMask Bauty Wrap. It’s a store that specializes in giving your gadgets a new look (a beauty wrap), and protection to boot.

The store gives all sorts of gadgets (cellphones, mp3 players, pocket PCs, and laptops) a new look. It works this way: you choose the design of the wrap that you want, you let them estimate how much of the wrap your gadget will need, and you wait for them to jazz it up. The wraps are made from Japan and are available in many designs.

I visited the GMask shop in Greenbelt 1 to just ask around. I was astonished by the look of the laptop they wrapped they have on display. It was freakin freezing. The photo I took was of their shop in Glorietta in front of Bench. I took it before I noticed the sign on their booth saying that photos were not allowed. Yaiiks.

Unconfirmed reports are circulating that Fete de la Musique will be held at SM Mall of Asia starting 4PM today and lasting to around 4AM tomorrow.

Among the 80 bands rumored to be playing are Sugarfree, Pepe Smith, Jimmy Bondoc and Hale. There will be four stages around the SM Mall of Asia to hold Pop, Ska, Jazz and Rock music.
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This is awesome news for those who love music, jazz in particular! Last year I was at the Jazz Festival in Greenbelt’s Expo Exchange and this year, it will be in Market Market. It will start at around 5pm. For details, you could check out the Manila Jazz Fest site :D

The UP Jazz Ensemble, the Jamie Oehlers Quartet, Mon David, Jewelmer Jazz Band, et al will be there :D

Can’t wait for it ;)

Funnel Cake

Originally uploaded by happyeclair.

The Old Spaghetti House along Paseo has a nice funnel cake. My friend Charo and I tried this one last week. At Php 95, it’s pretty ok. They also have apple and cinnamon funnel cake. Really yummy too!

The Old Spaghetti House serves a variety of pasta. I checked out their Oriental Spaghetti which had nice slices of mushrooms. We also had a carafe of white wine. As my friend Charo commented, the prices are reasonable enough and the music in the background is nice - some kind of jazz.

This is the first ever black theaterdance concert brought to you by Powerdance. I’d like to watch it especially because I am interested in seeing how the dancers will be “morph into different forms and be transported into different worlds” amidst the black lights

Dates: December 28 and 29
Venue: Onstage Theater (Greenbelt)
For ticket inquiries and reservations, call 995-8287 and 995-8283.
Tickets are also available from Ticketworld.

Much thanks to Jijo Sevilla for the heads up!