Kapampangan theater group up for US tour

Saturday, January 28, 2012

STA. RITA — Local theater group Arti.Sta Rita is set on another international tour in May to bring cultural productions to Kapampangan communities based in the United States.

Arti.Sta Rita creative director Andy Alviz told Sun.Star Pampanga that the US tour, dubbed: “Mikit Tamu king Milabas” is produced by Hype Productions owned by Filipino expatriate Peter Marcelo.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

He said the tour aims to share to Kapampangans in the United States the new songs and performances of their group.

The group is set to hold performances at the Bovard Auditorium at the University of Southern California (May 5), Birch North Park Theater, San Diego (May 12), South San Francisco High School Auditorium (May 19) and at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in New York (May 26). The group will also hold a show at the St. Anthony Catholic School in Guam (June 2).

“We hope to bring Kapampangans world-class entertainment to old and younger generations. We hope to get them reacquainted with their roots and culture through our performances,” Alviz said.

Alviz said their group is now embarking on long practice hours to prepare for the upcoming shows in the US.

Arti.Sta Rita is the local theater group organized by Miss Saigon choreographer Andy Alviz. The group is composed of volunteer artists, singers and performers coming from the different sectors of the town.

The group’s membership practically mans all aspects of the group’s theater productions. The group promotes Kapampangan culture and traditions through songs and theater performances.

It has produced albums of Kapampangan songs and has staged performances at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and toured the United States to bring their shows to Kapampangan communities there.

Alviz and his group Arti.Sta Rita are credited for starting the Duman Festival in 2002, which originated from the long-standing tradition of pounding and winnowing unripe glutinous rice (lacatan) and turned into a light pale gold or green delicacy called “duman.”