DARAT

Rooted reflection on Filipino history in Hawaiʻi through contemporary dance, fashion, music, ritual, and embodied storytelling. DARAT, Ilocano for flowing sand, land, or soil, is an immersive dance-ritual fashion performance by interdisciplinary artist Lydia Querian, created for Filipino-American History Month. Rooted in ancestral memory, diasporic movement, and Indigenous Oceanic relationships, the work honors Filipino plantation laborers while imagining pathways toward healing, remembrance, and collective connection. Created in commemoration of the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the Sakadas in Hawaiʻi, DARAT offers a timely and rooted reflection on Filipino history in the islands. The production brings this history into the present through a contemporary lens for a new generation, with a predominantly Filipino diasporic cast and creative community. It is the first production of its kind in Honolulu to honor this history through the convergence of contemporary dance, fashion, music, ritual, and embodied storytelling. The performance brings together four collections from Querian’s brand, Elle Karayan, and a new folk-contemporary dance work incorporating kulintang music, ritualized movement, fashion, and embodied storytelling. The runway becomes a ceremonial space for walking prayer, breath, memory, and transformation. Garments become stories of migration, survival, rupture, and resilience. As a Sakada descendant living in Hawaiʻi, Querian situates Filipino diasporic histories within a wider web of Indigenous relationships across the Philippines and Oceania. DARAT moves through the elements of land, water, wind, and fire, acknowledging the wounds of colonization while envisioning diaspora as a gathering, a reweaving, and a return to collective wholeness. The work emerges through cultural exchanges, movement workshops, archival research, artisan practices, embodied experimentation, and a unique dance-fashion performance that bridges generations and cultural traditions. Cast & Creative Team • Artistic Director & Choreographer: Lydia Querian • Music Direction & Composition: Kevin Calamayan (Music Director), Logan Knight, Ron Querian • Executive Producer: Ron Querian • Administrative Producers: Dianne Deauna, TJ Aranas • Stage & Technical Team: Max Winig (Stage Manager), Chris Childress (Lighting/Twilight), Nick Kaleikini (Songs/Kaleikini Productions), Kyle Roche (Sound Engineer), Kupaianaha Marx (Set Design) • Special Guests & Panelists: Jon Luigi, Adam Keawe, Al-Raffy Harun, Chaston “CJ” Bosa, Marcus Quinones, Chef Eric Pascual, Jae Tioseco • Music Artists: Ron “Kulintronica” Querian, Kevin Calamayan, Brian Adrias, Lotus Sky, Wilbur Shansey, Logan Knight • Dance Artists: Celesdina Reyes, Dianne Deauna, Eiren Tamayo, Hailey Martinez, Jessalyn Torres, Jessica Gacuma-Bonds, Jessica Pasao, Jose “Pow” Taton, Jr., Justine Valdez, Katrina von Kriegenbergh, Kawayan Bolick Ong, Lawrence Mallari, Lorelei Harrel, Luna Querian, Lydia Querian, Malia Rivera, Stephany Sollera, Tara Sakamoto, Van Rimando • Fashion Models: Pranava Singh, Ariean Jimenez, Susan Agudo, Mela Matsuno, Ysabel Ignacio, Mitch Pagala, Van Rimando, Jon Luigi, Margaux Valerie, Leah Barker • Glam Team: Daniel Bumanglag Agustin, Helena Chow, Warren Wailehua Produced by House of Gongs & supported by East-West Center Arts Program, New Music USA, and Ho‘akea Source. DARAT Show Policies & Audience Guidelines Darat is an immersive dance runway experience. Artists will move throughout the space, including the risers, aisles, and floors. We invite you to be fully present, aware, and respectful of the artists and those around you. TIMING Saturday October 17 5:30 PM - Doors Open Please arrive early, find your seat, and settle in. 6:00 PM - Pre-Show Panel The panel will begin exactly at 6:00 PM. Please be seated and ready by then. 6:30 PM - Dance + Runway The performance begins at 6:30 PM. Doors will close at 6:30 PM. Please do not be late. Late entry may not be permitted once the performance begins, as artists will be moving through the aisles and throughout the audience. Sunday October 18 2:30 PM - Doors Open Please arrive early, find your seat, and settle in. 3:00 PM - Pre-Show Panel The panel will begin exactly at 3:00 PM. Please be seated and ready by then. 3:30 PM - Dance + Runway The performance begins at 3:30 PM. Doors will close at 3:30 PM. Please do not be late. Late entry may not be permitted once the performance begins, as artists will be moving through the aisles and throughout the audience. MOVEMENT THROUGH THE SPACE Because Darat is an immersive experience, artists will be performing on the risers and throughout the aisles and floor. • Please remain mindful of the designated carpet pathways when making your way to your seat or moving through the space. • Walking on the Marley dance floors is strictly prohibited. Please use the carpet pathways at all times when moving through the performance area. • If you need to use the restroom during the performance, please walk slowly and carefully along the designated carpet pathways. • Be aware that performers may be entering and exiting through these same pathways. • Please do not block, cross, or interfere with an artist's movement or performance. • When possible, wait for a natural opening before moving through a pathway. BE PRESENT Darat is an invitation to witness, listen, feel, and reflect. We ask that you watch with an open mind and an open heart. Allow yourself to experience the movement, music, fashion, stories, and elements of the performance as they unfold around you. Please be respectful of the artists, fellow audience members, and the space we are sharing together. Salamat po. Thank you for being part of Darat.