Pakaraguian Kulintang Performs Music & Dance of Southern Philippines

Presented by Sierra Madre Playhouse

The Los Angeles-based Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble (PKE) brings to life the gong-chime music and dance traditions of the southern Philippines on Saturday, September 26, 2026, 11:00 AM, at the historic Sierra Madre Playhouse. Centered on the mesmerizing sound of the kulintang, a row of tuned knobbed gongs, the ensemble creates music that is both venerable and immediate, intricate and celebratory.

The captivating family-friendly performance, which unfolds as both a concert and cultural experience, features the interlocking rhythms, layered melodies, and graceful dances of the Maguindanao, Maranao, Tausug, and Sama peoples, blending authenticity with a sense of connection to contemporary Los Angeles. 

The members of PKE, formed in 2003 by a collective of artists and cultural practitioners, have trained extensively with master musicians from Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. Playing traditional instruments ranging from the resonant agung and dabakan drums to the luminous kulintang, they create a sound world that invites reflection. Through movement and music, the ensemble honors centuries of tradition while also illustrating that these art forms continue to evolve across borders and generations.

For tickets ($20) and information, please call 626.355.4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org. Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, CA 91024.

Date:
Venue:
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Organization:
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Genres:
World Music
Categories:
Live Event
City: Sierra Madre
Price Range:
$20
Email:
info@sierramadreplayhouse.org
Phone:
(626) 355-4318
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Sierra Madre Playhouse

Sierra Madre Playhouse

87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
United States

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Sierra Madre Playhouse, a vibrant Southern California cultural hub with a rich history spanning a century, energizes audiences and the community with distinctive theatrical productions and captivating live performances. 

 

Hailed as a “jewel” (Pasadena Weekly) and “a landmark theater” (ABC7 Los Angeles), it has garnered tremendous accolades for its varied repertoire and thought-provoking education and outreach programs curated with social impact in mind. The Los Angeles Times proclaims, “This is theater from the heart.” As one of San Gabriel Valley’s only performing arts center presenting a broad spectrum of performance genres, including theater, music, dance, film, comedy, and family-friendly productions featuring eminent local and national professional artists, the treasured artistic beacon draws audiences from across the Southland. 

 

The intimate 99-seat Sierra Madre Playhouse offers an up-close and personal connection to performances that resonate deeply, earning multiple Ovation Awards, NAACP Awards, and LA Times Critics' Choice honors. In 2023, Rep. Judy Chu named the Sierra Madre Playhouse as a leading ‘Nonprofit of the Year’ in the San Gabriel Valley. The playhouse was given the honor during the 2023 Congressional Leadership of the Year Awards, which recognizes the leadership and volunteerism in the cities making up California’s 28th Congressional District. It is nestled into a historic building on the inviting Main Street of Sierra Madre, a charming village in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. 

 

Retaining its distinctive movie theater façade and instantly recognizable marquee, the structure has undergone numerous transformations since opening in 1910, from furniture emporium to silent movie theatre to the artistic institution that now stands as a vibrant embodiment of the region’s rich cultural legacy. The Sierra Madre Playhouse fosters creativity that aspires to bridge divides and spark dialogue, all while celebrating the rich tapestry of the American experience and the enduring pursuit of shared understanding.