Compositions: A Filipino American Experience

Compositions: A Filipino American Experience, curated by Janet Alvarado, is an exhibition of historical photographs by Ricardo Ocreto Alvarado which dramatically captures the Filipino community in and around San Francisco during the 1940s and 50s, will be on view in the San Francisco Main Library’s Skylight Gallery, Sept. 20 – Dec. 7, 2014

The combined talents of Filipino American scholars, authors and musicians went into the making of Compositions, which includes the exhibition, a literary anthology, a musical performance, panel discussions and other related programs. 

These unique historical photographs by Ricardo Ocreto Alvarado provide an enhanced understanding of the earliest roots of Filipino American life. The lively photographs of neighborhoods include celebrations, street scenes, night clubs, house parties and other examples of community life.

An accompanying anthology, Claiming Our Stories, features contemporary Filipino American writers talking about the rich cultural history and contributions Filipinos have made to the City.

In Sounds of the City, original musical compositions will be performed by jazz musician Melecio Magdaluyo. The music, while contemporary, compliments the themes in the exhibition and intimately highlights old San Francisco in the neighborhoods photographer Ricardo Alvarado captured in the exhibition. 

Compositions – A Filipino American Experience – Sept. 20 – Dec. 7, Main Library, Skylight Gallery.

 

Related programs:

Opening – Meet Curator Janet Alvarado for a gallery talk.

Gallery talk with Janet Alvarado- Sept. 21, Skylight Gallery, 1 p.m.

Heart of the City: The San Francisco Filipino Experience. Kicking off Filipino American History month, San Francisco State University Professor Daniel Phil Gonzales - one of the foremost Asian American Studies experts - explores what it meant to be a Filipino in the City after World War II. Joining him will be Professor Peter Bacho, Emil Guillermo, Professor Dan Gonzales, Melecio Magdaluyo and other special guests.

Heart of the City – Oct. 4, Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 1 p.m.

Claiming Our Stories - Join us for the premiere reading of the anthology, Claiming Our Stories. Contemporary Filipino American writers Oscar Peñeranda, Guilo Sorro, Emil Guillermo, Janet Alvarado and others talk about the city’s rich cultural history and contributions Filipinos have made to the community. A book sale by Readers Books follows the event.

Claiming Our Stories - October 9, Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 6 p.m.

Sounds of the City: Jazz with Melecio Magdaluyo - Join us for a musical performance with jazz musician Melecio Magdaluyo, John Santos and other special guests.

Sounds of the City – Oct. 28, Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 6 p.m.

Defending Our Stories: Commemorating our Veterans
Defending Our Stories honors courageous Filipinos who fought for the survival of families and communities on both sides of the Pacific. Meet members of the Walter Scott Price family of Tacloban, Leyte, and Mrs. Norberta Alvarado, founding member of the Leyte Association of Northern California (est. 1965).

Defending Our Stories – Nov. 8, Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room, 1 p.m.

All events are supported by the San Francisco Arts Commission, the Alvarado Project, Friends of the San Francisco Public Library and the Consulate General of the Philippines, San Francisco.

For more information about these and other library programs, please call (415) 557-4277.