Confessions of a Contralto: A Filipina’s Life in Song
Date: Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
Doors: 5PM for Golden Hour
Showtime: 7:30PM
Tickets: Advanced- $35 | VIP Table for 2- $90 | VIP Table for 4- $160
‘Service charges apply to ALL ticket purchases (online and box office)’ - Credit card only at door
About:
Confessions of a Contralto: A Filipina’s Life in Song
🎶 One Night Only – May 3 at the Epiphany Center for the Arts 🎶
Filipina-American cabaret artist Lou Ella Rose takes audiences on a heartfelt and humorous musical journey through the life of an Alto — on stage and off, along the way celebrating the musical legends and icons, Lea Salonga, Pat Suzuki, Peggy Lee, Karen Carpenter, Eartha Kitt, Ursula (The Little Mermaid), Julie London and Asaka (Once On This Island). Lou Ella Rose weaves together sharp-witted storytelling and powerhouse vocals, reclaiming the spotlight for anyone who’s ever been told “You’re not the lead character type,” proving that contraltos aren’t just "sidekicks" and "supporting characters" in the story -- they are the story.
Whether you love Cabaret, musical theater, or simply a great night of music, this show offers a fresh and funny look at life from the lower end of the scale. A show you won’t want to miss.
Lou Ella Rose is an International actor, recording artist, and 2022 Chicago Cabaret Professionals Emerging Artist, and she is joined onstage by the SamaSama Project, musical direction by Andrew Blendermann & Baron Cabalona, and directed by Ken Baker
Andrew Blendermann, piano
Baron Cabalona, percussion
EJ Luna, bass
John Kniker, lead guitar
Ran Sevilla, rhythm guitar
Giga Yanong, saxophone
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ABOUT LOU ELLA ROSE
A 2024 Asian Cultural Council Fellow and Chicago DCASE Individual Artist Program grantee, Lou Ella Rose is a Chicago-based musical creative who draws on her 25-year artistic career across 3 countries to give voice to the Filipino-American experience on the intimate stage. An actor, writer, producer, and the lead singer, and Artistic Director of the band and performing group SamaSama Project, her credentials include memorable works in theater, TV, concerts, and several original works in the Philippines, Singapore, and the USA. In 2022, she was recognized as one of Chicago Cabaret’s Emerging Artists by the Chicago Cabaret Professionals.
ABOUT SAMASAMA PROJECT
SamaSama Project is the Midwest's premiere Filipino Folk Fusion band. “SamaSama” translated as “united, together” truly lives up to their name creating a blend of Filipino folk, rock, ska, and Latin music, inspired by a 1970s musical movement called Manila Sound. Over the years, the talented group has made their mark showcasing a fusion of Filipino traditional folk and contemporary music at many notable venues and events such as Navy Pier, Harold Washington Library, Chicago White Sox, Davenport’s Piano Bar, among others. SamaSama Project won 1st runner-up in Best World Music Act by Chicago Reader’s Best of Chicago 2023 and was selected as one of only 20 semi-finalists for Chicago DCASE’s Chicago Made Music Showcase besting close to 200 artists. Inspired by the drive to promote diversity and honor the shared history of the two countries they call home through music, SamaSama Project is currently touring “The Great Filipino Songbook”, a collection of songs and stories that shaped the trajectory of Philippine Music during America’s Golden Age of music. SamaSama Project is set to release their 1st full-length album in October 2025.
ABOUT ANDREW BLENDERMANN
Starting with a classical background from Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music, Andrew has been performing professionally in and around Chicagoland for more than 20 years. His wide-ranging career includes piano bars (Davenport’s, Howl at the Moon, The Signature Room), musical theatre (Marriott Lincolnshire, Drury Lane), a cappella (Navy Pier Players, Harmony Sweepstakes), and private events for every occasion.
Golden Hour at Epiphany:
Stop by Epiphany for our live music series concerts, and be sure to hit Golden Hour before-hand for drinks and lite-bites! Doors open at 5pm Thursday - Saturday for Golden Hour with 1/2 priced bottles of wine and other specials!
Come early to EXPLORE and DISCOVER your own EPIPHANY… our art galleries are openand there is free entertainment before the show!
Full Concert Calendar Here
Golden Hour Menu + Music Schedule
Please note that outside food or beverages are not permitted in the venue.
