DBA NEW ORLEANS
As part of its ongoing celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Festin' on Frenchmen — hosted by AAPI Celebration DBA New Orleans — took place on Sunday, May 31, bringing together the community for an afternoon of culture, cuisine, and connection in the heart of the Frenchmen Street entertainment district. The free event featured a variety of Asian food offerings, family-friendly activities, and cultural experiences that highlighted the richness and diversity of AAPI traditions.
A standout moment of the day was a Tinikling workshop led by Tuklas, where participants of all ages learned the Philippines' iconic bamboo dance, celebrating Filipino heritage through music, movement, and community engagement. Festin' on Frenchmen showcased the vibrant contributions of New Orleans' AAPI community while creating a welcoming space for residents and visitors alike to experience the city's multicultural spirit.
DBA New Orleans is an iconic live music venue on Frenchmen Street known for celebrating the city’s rich musical and cultural heritage. Beyond its nightly live performances, the venue serves as a community gathering space, hosting cultural events, festivals, and educational programs that showcase the diversity of New Orleans. Its Festin' on Frenchmen AAPI Celebration reflects this mission by bringing together local organizations, artists, and food vendors to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage through cuisine, dance, and community engagement.
CHERYL ABAÑA-EMMER
DBA Music (Owner/Operator) & The Spotted Cat Music
FAMILY ORIGIN | BAUANG, LAUNION
EDUCATION | BACHELOR IN SCIENCE-PSYCHOLOGY
MASTER IN HEALTH SCIENCE-REHABILITATION COUNSELING
MASTER IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER
(LSUHSC) LSU-SHREVEPORT
AWARDS + ACCOLADES | DEAN'S LIST (UNO), DEAN'S AWARD (LSUHSC) . DEAN’S AWARD | ALPHA ETA HONOR SOCIETY | CHI SIGMA IOTA – RHO CHI PRESIDENT, BEST MANAGER/OWNER OF MUSIC CLUB (OFFBEAT-2018)
The climate in New Orleans is one of the closest you’ll find to the Philippines, which makes it feel a little like home. Along with the city’s rich cultural traditions and love of food, music, and hospitality, it’s easy for Filipino culture to flourish here. I’ve watched our Filipino community grow over the years, and what stands out most is how New Orleans has embraced us. Here, our culture isn’t just accepted—it's appreciated, celebrated, and woven into the city’s rich cultural tapestry.
ALEX ABALOS
A sound artists that wants to connect people systemically, audibly and spiritually.
Alex Abalos is an electrician, musician, sound artist, instrument fabricator and synthesizer nerd who enjoys piecing together unlikely partners, instruments, found sounds, and venues, creating unique and meaningful experiences that help neighborhoods think outside of their barriers and boundaries.
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay to a working-class, immigrant family with a mentality of “working with what you got,” Alex attributes his success to his DIY attitude. Realizing later in life that he could use it as a tool to connect with people, he brought his passion for music to alternative educational spaces where he can bridge the gap between the avant-garde music that he loves and the street culture that he grew up in.
He has had the pleasure to work in a variety of San Francisco–based nonprofit community organizations and art spaces, including Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, The Audium, Smithsonian, The Music Box Village NOLA, Gray Area, the Vietnamese Youth Development Center, Precita Eyes, Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation, and SOMArts.
