02.19.09 kulturnatib

Going home coming

For most of us, between coming and going is home. Yet, for a growing number of us, as well, at both ends of coming and going is also home. Or, are also homes.

The question then of where exactly is home in this situation is answered only with many hmmms, aahhhs or interminable silence. And then, often, depending on who is asking or the context of the conversion at which this question squeezes itself in.

This is a question that has occurred to me in the past few days. I have come home for three weeks and very soon will be headed back towards my adoptive home.

Home is, of course, more than just an address or a spot in a Google map.

Before we left for this vacation, the artistic group I have joined – among the foundations of the artistic home I have started to build -- was going to have its first regular performance event for this year.

Several times last year I had been invited to join in these regular events but circumstances had always intervened that made joining just impossible, though there have been other events not organized by the group but participated in mostly by them that I was able to join. This time around, the same thing is happening.

But, I told them not to worry. I really won't be missing much. I was headed home to my original group, quite different but at the same time rather similar, who made sure that a performance event was going to be a highlight of our vacation itinerary.

As it happens, it will now be two performance events.

The first one was last Valentine's Day at Mango One that even on a regular weekend with its crush of young, curious and appreciative crowd lends itself to the kind of guerilla performance that the group, XO?, is slowly but surely getting known for around town.

I joined the stalwarts of the group, Chai Fonacier, Russ Ligtas and Raymund Fernandez with my own performance for an event that surely made an otherwise ordinarily special night an extraordinarily memorable one especially for those whose idea for that night didn't go far beyond chocolates and red roses.

The next event will be tonight. It will be at the Handuraw Cafe at Gorordo Avenue, Lahug. The same quartet who performed at the event last Saturday will be joined by Winston Rellosa with his merry band of musicians.

The theme for the evening is, “Going Home Coming.” It will be a 'despedida' event. But, it could be seen also as a 'bienvenida' performance, to welcome continuing performances for XO? here and for Fait Maison in Quebec.

More than that it could also be taken as a further encouragement for bigger, more ambitious dreams that include a possible collaboration for both groups in a performance art festival some time in the near future.

When that takes place, there can be no possible confusion as to what or where home is. They will all come together somewhere at the center of heart.

And, of art.