The Fighting Cocks
Tuesday Night Project (TNP) was initiated back in February 1999 with the purpose of building a space for people to connect through the artistic expression of the Asian Pacific Islander (API) and Los Angeles communities. It was also intended to provide time for cultural, social, and political awareness with opportunities for involvement, collaboration, real relationship-building, and action.
In the past 11 years of its existence, the TNP has not only survived, the Project has actually thrived. It has since seen its flagship program, the “1st & 3rd Tuesday Night Café” (TNC), turn into one of the longest-running free public arts series in Downtown LA/Little Tokyo. Hosted from Spring through Fall, the “1st & 3rd Tuesday Night Café” has presented over 1,800 acts of music, poetry, theatre, sketch comedy, comedy improve, short film, spoken word, dance, & visual art over the years.
Regularly held outdoors at Aratani Courtyard in Little Tokyo, the second TNC of this year was relocated into a more intimate indoor setting down the street in Señor Fish this past April 20th due to the rain. That being said though, the weather didn’t do anything to dampen the event; Señor Fish was stuffed to capacity and the evening’s performers did not at all disappoint.
Performers:
- Esna Yoon
- Scott Tang
- Jenny Yang
- Edren Sumagaysay - founder of theundeniables.org and works with youth through SIPA
- Durwood
Lead Vocals: Golda Inquito
Guitar: Gertie Meza
Vocals: Johneric Concordia - host of Tuesday Night Cafes and founder/chef of Park's Finest
Guitar: Cyril Cueva
Drums: Roman Cueva
Bass: David Tran
Some of the other Pilipino-American Acts of TNC include the following:
At the end of the day, TN Project is able to provide these public arts performances free of charge and only relying on donations and fundraisers to pay their bills because of their belief that PEOPLE are each other’s greatest resource. Judging from the performances that were presented on April 20th, it is a very valuable resource indeed!
*Special Thanks to Mary Rose, Tracy, Narinda, & Yumi for the invite and the hospitality!
