Popular Filipino Night Market Expands To Global Audience With ‘UNDISCOVERED X’
Kultivate Labs hosts a 2-day virtual event to connect and amplify Filipinx stories, experiences, and culture from
Manila, New York, Los Angeles
Prior to the Coronavirus outbreak, the Undscvrd night market would bring thousands of people to the Filipino Cultural District. Photo by Mogli Maureal
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - September 9, 2020— Filipinx-American non-profit Kultivate Labs will host “UNDISCOVERED X,” a 2-day virtual gathering of Filipina/x/o entrepreneurs, creatives and thought leaders, from October 17-18, 2020. With four virtual stages, four streaming hub cities, over 60 key guests and 50+ sponsor & vendor expo booths, “UNDISCOVERED X,” will showcase a range of Filipina/x/o stories, art, music, panel discussions and more. The virtual event ultimately offers critical dialogue around the culture and complex identities of the diaspora and a much-needed space for connection and collaboration in the community, amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
Each of UNDISCOVERED X’s four stages will be dedicated to Filipina/x/o entrepreneurs, arts & culture, and youth empowerment. Also included in the event’s robust programming is “UNDSCVRD TALENT” a worldwide talent show, welcoming singers, musicians, and producers from all over the globe, to submit a video of their best original music performance. The winners will perform at Undiscovered X and get the chance to work with industry professionals from MyxTV.
Livestream partners will include major cities such as San Francisco (hosted by Kultivate Labs, Make it Mariko, and Creative Transit Agency), New York (DJ Getlive, Rise Radio, Fil Fam Collective, NextDayBetter), Los Angeles (HiFi Kitchen, SIPA, OneDown Media), and Manila (Kumu & She Talks Asia).
“Covid-19 forced us to pivot everything to virtual, giving us the opportunity to connect Filipinxs all over the world through our shared Filipinx ancestry and culture. We’re excited to partner with some of the biggest movers, shakers, and leaders in our global community, and continue to share our stories, have important conversations, and support each other,” says Event Producer & Co-Founder, Gina Mariko Rosales.
Guiding UNDISCOVERED X programming this year is the theme “Culture Connected.” Considering the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic on BIPOC communities and businesses, as well as the global civil rights movement for black liberation, the team has considered critical questions around diasporic identity, community building, storytelling, cultural and economic support and allyship.
Image from 2019 Undscvrd Market. Photo by Mogli Maureal
By leveraging the accessibility of digital platform Hopin, UNDISCOVERED X is virtually able to host and connect anyone with internet access across the globe. Attendees will be able to navigate the different stages and programs with ease and within the comfort of their homes. Select cities will also be able to enjoy Filipino Food Meal Kits, adding a more sensory touch to the UNDISCOVERED experience. Featured artists and guests include rapper Ruby Ibarra, singers Kiana V and Jeff Bernat, world renowned DJ crew - Triple Threat DJs, and panels - Filipinos Changing the Media Game, Filipino Cultural Districts in the Diaspora, and more.
“UNDSCVRD has done an amazing job galvanizing the Filipino community and sparking a new sense of pride in the Bay Area. We want to bring that magic to connect all of the changemakers, creatives, and entrepreneurs that are accelerating Filipino culture worldwide”, shares Desi Danganan, Executive Director of Kultivate Labs. “During these uncertain times of a global pandemic, social unrest, and economic collapse its imperative that we harness our shared cultural values of Kapwa and Bayanihan, at a scale never attempted in recent memory.“
UNDISCOVERED SF is part of a multi-prong strategy to build a thriving, sustainable community of economic and cultural activity in the SOMA Pilipinas cultural district. Since launching in 2017, the night market has demonstrated measurable success:
Generated ~$303,000 economic activity in 2019, a 10% increase from previous year
In 2019, UNDISCOVERED SF was awarded the Community Revitalization Award by AIA SF.
Kultivate Labs received $123,000 in corporate investments for economic development in 2019, 6.8x up from the previous year
UNDSCVRD typically draws ~35,000 people to the cultural district
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.undiscoveredsf.com.
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About UNDISCOVERED SF:
UNDISCOVERED SF is produced & conceived by Kultivate Labs, a non-profit business accelerator, and Make it Mariko, SF event producer. We believe that entrepreneurship is one of many ways to build wealth in local communities. By creating new economic opportunities and closing the income inequality gap in San Francisco, we hope to stem the displacement of our low and middle income residents.
UNDISCOVERED SF is made possible by a grant from the SOMA Stabilization Fund and the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development, and the hopes and dreams of the Filipino community, and those that came before us.
About Kultivate Labs:
Kultivate Labs is a Non-profit Economic Development and Arts Organization. We create thriving commercial ecosystems by accelerating businesses that preserve culture and community. We provide space and opportunities for the arts to flourish so that commercial activities are activated and reflect the community at large.
About Make it Mariko:
Make it Mariko (pronounced mah-ri-ko) is an all women of color, Bay Area event planning team focused on curating magical, meaningful moments for the community. We are experience curators, nonprofit advocates, and event enthusiasts that bring a social justice and community building lens to every event we produce.