Club Mandalay
Jazz & Ancestral Philippine Music at the I-Hotel

Club Mandalay is a monthly live music gathering at the International Hotel Manilatown Center — a space rooted in Manilatown’s history where sound becomes a way to remember, reconnect, and be together.

This special afternoon brings together two of Manilatown’s resident ensembles:

🎷 The Manilatown Jazz Ensemble: Sharing improvisations that reflect the diverse musical experience of San Francisco — music shaped by jazz, storytelling, and creative dialogue.

🥁 The Manilatown Ancestral Ensemble: Presenting pre-colonial Philippine music and dance traditions — including kulintang and indigenous movement — honoring cultural knowledge passed forward across generations.

Together, these ensembles embody a living bridge between contemporary expression and ancestral tradition. Jazz and indigenous sound meet not as opposites, but as continuations of one another — rooted in rhythm, listening, and community care.

Club Mandalay takes place in the very building that stands because of collective action. The original International Hotel was home to generations of Filipino and Chinese immigrant elders who were unjustly evicted in 1977 after years of resistance. Their struggle became a defining moment in Asian American civil rights history. Today, we gather in this rebuilt space not only to remember that fight, but to carry forward its spirit of solidarity, dignity, and perseverance through art.

At Club Mandalay, music is offered as more than performance. It is shared as:

• Remembrance of those who came before us

• Affirmation of belonging in the present

• Inspiration to imagine a shared future shaped by perseverance, creativity, and collective responsibility for our common home

Rooted in the legacy of Manilatown and the I-Hotel, these gatherings welcome people of all backgrounds — whether you are a longtime community member, a neighbor, a visitor, or simply curious.

There is space here for you. All are welcome.

This event is free; donations are greatly appreciated in support of Manilatown’s community arts and cultural programs.

Come as you are.
Stay for the music.
Leave strengthened, connected, and inspired.

PLEASE REGISTER VIA EVENTBRITE

Club Mandalay is made possible by the generous support of the Asian Pacific Fund, San Francisco Grants for the Arts. San Francisco Arts Commission and the California Arts Council. For more information about Club Mandalay, the Manilatown Jazz Ensemble, or the Manilatown Heritage Foundation, please get in touch with us at: mhf@manilatown.org

inday art exhibition opening reception

Get ready to celebrate Women's History Month with American-Filipina visual artists whose work celebrates cultural identity and community!

Art Exhibit from February 28 through March 31, 2026

Opening Event on Saturday, February 28th, Doors Open: 5PM / Program: 5:30PM
Special Performances: Manilatown Jazz Ensemble and Manilatown Ancestral Ensemble

Showcases Filipina visual artists whose work reflects diverse voices of the Filipina experience across generations, migration, identity, perseverance, and cultural pride.

Held in honor of Women’s History Month, amplifying the global call to celebrate women’s achievements while reflecting on the unique contributions of Filipina artists to cultural identity and social justice.

Please RSVP at Eventbrite

Featured Artists:

Frances Cachapero
Holly Calica
Maya Crolene
Jeanette Gandionco Lazam
Glady Lee
Caroline Ocampo
Annie Panlibutan
Maria Luisa Penaranda

Images (left to right): T’boli Trilogy: Roots; Going Against the Tide; Heart Ensemble; Mystery Woman; Manilatown Rising

CLUB MANDALAY December 2025

Welcome to Club Mandalay, where the music is live, and the community is gathering!

Join us for another afternoon of non-stop fun at Club Mandalay! Get ready to smile, dance, and enjoy an unforgettable experience at the International Hotel Manilatown Center. This in-person event will bring together jazz music lovers and community enthusiasts from all around the Bay Area. With a vibrant atmosphere and a lineup of talented musicians, Club Mandalay promises to keep you grooving all afternoon. Don't miss out on this incredible afternoon of music, friends, and good vibes in the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown-North Beach district!

This month, we're excited to present two ensembles:

At 2 pm, our house band, the Manilatown Jazz Ensemble (AKA The Autonomous Region), will take the stage featuring Caroline Cabading on Vocals, Raymond Bambao on Bass, Harold Ohashi on Drums, and Chris Planas on guitar.

And don't go too far, because at 3 pm, Jibril’s Cool Jazz Combo will be joining us, featuring Jibril Alvarez on piano.

We hope to see you here at this FREE family-friendly event!

PLEASE REGISTER VIA EVENTBRITE

Club Mandalay is made possible by the generous support of San Francisco Grants for the Arts.

For more information about Club Mandalay, the Manilatown Jazz Ensemble or the Manilatown Heritage Foundation, please contact us at: mhf@manilatown.org

CLUB MANDALAY june 2025

Welcome to Club Mandalay, where the music is live and the community is gathering!

Join us for another afternoon of non-stop fun at Club Mandalay! Prepare, to smile, dance and enjoy an unforgettable experience at the International Hotel Manilatown Center. This in-person event will bring together jazz music lovers and community enthusiasts from all around the Bay Area. With a vibrant atmosphere and a lineup of talented musicians Club Mandalay promises to keep you grooving all afternoon. Don't miss out on this incredible afternoon of music, friends, and good vibes in the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown-North Beach district!

This month, we're excited to present two ensembles:

At 2pm the Manilatown Jazz Ensemble (AKA The Autonomous Region), will take the stage featuring Caroline Cabading on Vocals, Raymond Bambao on Bass, Harold Ohashi on Drums, Chris Planas on guitar and Roy Brown on piano.

And then, at 3 pm, please join Jibril Alvarez and Jibril's Cool Jazz Combo as they take the stage for a great, funky jazz set.

We hope to see you here at this FREE family-friendly event!

PLEASE REGISTER VIA EVENTBRITE

Club Mandalay is made possible by the generous support of the San Francisco Arts Commission, San Francisco Grants for the Arts, and the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workplace Development.

For more information about Club Mandalay, the Manilatown Jazz Ensemble or the Manilatown Heritage Foundation please contact us at: mhf@manilatown.org

CLUB MANDALAY May 2025

Welcome to Club Mandalay, where the music is live and the community is gathering!

Join us for another afternoon of non-stop fun at Club Mandalay! Prepare, to smile, dance and enjoy an unforgettable experience at the International Hotel Manilatown Center. This in-person event will bring together jazz music lovers and community enthusiasts from all around the Bay Area. With a vibrant atmosphere and a lineup of talented musicians Club Mandalay promises to keep you grooving all afternoon. Don't miss out on this incredible afternoon of music, friends, and good vibes in the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown-North Beach district!

This month, we're excited to present two ensembles:

At 2pm the Manilatown Jazz Ensemble (AKA The Autonomous Region), will take the stage featuring Caroline Cabading on Vocals, Raymond Bambao on Bass, Harold Ohashi on Drums, Chris Planas on guitar, Socorro DeCastro on piano and Special Guest Soloist Melecio Magdaluyo!

And then at 3pm please join Jibril Alvarez and Jibril's Cool Jazz Combo when they take the stage for a great funky jazz set.

We hope to see you here at this FREE family-friendly event!

PLEASE REGISTER VIA EVENTBRITE

Club Mandalay is made possible from the generous support of the San Francisco Arts Commission, San Francisco Grants for the Arts, and San Francisco Office of Economic and Workplace Development.

For more information about Club Mandalay, the Manilatown Jazz Ensemble or the Manilatown Heritage Foundation please contact us at: mhf@manilatown.org

CLUB MANDALAY march 2025

Welcome to Club Mandalay, where the music is live and the community is gathering!

Join us for another afternoon of non-stop fun at Club Mandalay! Get ready to smile, dance and enjoy an unforgettable experience at the International Hotel Manilatown Center. This in-person event will bring together jazz music lovers and community enthusiasts from all around the Bay Area. With a vibrant atmosphere and a lineup of talented musicians Club Mandalay promises to keep you grooving all afternoon. Don't miss out on this incredible afternoon of music, friends, and good vibes in the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown-North Beach district!

This month we're excited to present two music ensembles:

At 2pm the Manilatown Jazz Ensemble (AKA The Autonomous Region), will take the stage featuring Caroline Cabading on Vocals, Raymond Bambao on Bass, Harold Ohashi on Drums, Chris Planas on guitar, Roy Brown on piano and Special Guest Soloist Melecio Magdaluyo!

And then at 3pm please join Jibril Alvarez and Jibril's cool Jazz Combo when they take the stage with a funky jazz set.

We hope to see you here at this FREE family-friendly event!

PLEASE REGISTER VIA EVENTBRITE

Club Mandalay is made possible from the generous support of the San Francisco Arts Commission, San Francisco Grants for the Arts, and San Francisco Office of Economic and Workplace Development.

For more information about Club Mandalay, the Manilatown Jazz Ensemble or the Manilatown Heritage Foundation please contact us at: mhf@manilatown.org

CLUB MANDALAY FEBruary 2025

Join us for another afternoon of non-stop fun at Club Mandalay! Get ready to smile, dance and enjoy an unforgettable experience at the International Hotel Manilatown Center. This in-person event will bring together jazz music lovers and community enthusiasts from all around the Bay Area. With a vibrant atmosphere and a lineup of talented musicians Club Mandalay promises to keep you grooving all afternoon. Don't miss out on this incredible afternoon of music, friends, and good vibes in the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown-North Beach district!

This month we're excited to present two music ensembles:

At 2pm the Manilatown Jazz Ensemble (AKA The Autonomous Region), will take the stage featuring Caroline Cabading on Vocals, Raymond Bambao on Bass, Harold Ohashi on Drums, Chris Planas on guitar and Roy Brown on piano!

And then at 3pm please join Jibril Alvarez and Jibril's cool Jazz Combo when theyt take the stage.

We hope to see you here at this FREE family-friendly event!

PLEASE REGISTER VIA EVENTBRITE

Club Mandalay is made possible from the generous support of the San Francisco Arts Commission, San Francisco Grants for the Arts, and San Francisco Office of Economic and Workplace Development.

For more information about Club Mandalay, the Manilatown Jazz Ensemble or the Manilatown Heritage Foundation please contact us at: mhf@manilatown.org