The Cotabato Sessions

Presented by LA / Islam Arts Initiative, The Velaslavasay Panorama & FORM follows FUNCTION

Saturday, December 13, 2014

8 o'clock pm

Tickets $12 ($10 for current VPES members)

Available in advance at cotabatosessions.brownpapertickets.com 

Featuring GB (Gifted & Blessed), live-remixing tracks from The Cotabato Sessions soundtrack 
and 
Kulintang Artists Mary Talusan, Bernard Ellorin, and Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble with Eleanor Lipat

The Cotabato Sessions (2014, 29 minutes), Digital Projection

A music-meets-cinema collaboration with composer and percussionist Susie Ibarra and director Joel Quizon (FORM follows FUNCTION), THE COTABATO SESSIONS is a documentary of the musical legacy of National Heritage artist Danongan Kalanduyan and his family. The Kalanduyans are part of a minority Islamic tribe in the Philippines, the Maguindanaons, who have been entirely relocated to Cotabato City and elsewhere after many decades of civil unrest in the south. Kalanduyans are practitioners of the indigenous art form known as "kulintang" (rhythmic gong ensemble music) and the colorful dance that often accompanies it, revering the family as respected elders upholding the tradition.

Featuring musical performances captured both for the camera and the soundtrack, THE COTABATO SESSIONS is a uniquely intimate music documentary. The film creates a poetic, celebratory work that foregrounds the practitioners of this signature Philippine art form and ponders its future in an increasingly fragmented society.

The film is followed by a live performance from Los Angeles-based kulintang artist Mary Talusan, San Diego-based kulintang artist Bernard Ellorin, and Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble with Eleanor Lipat, along with a special performance by analog electronic composer/producer GB (Gifted & Blessed), live-remixing tracks from The Cotabato Sessions soundtrack.

This event is part of the LA / ISLAM ARTS INITIATIVE. For more information visit laislamarts.org

For more information about Form Follows Function visit fffmedia.com/ 

Photo by Joel Quizon