It has been more than a year since Circus 2020 held their first all-inclusive festival that celebrated their quintessential love for art, dance, street, and circus performances. Last August 18, #Circus2020 in partnership with PURVEYR returned with its monthly action-packed festivities at 20:20, a series of live events and pop-ups that laud unity, diversity and freedom of expression.
20:20 is tucked away at the outskirts of Chino Roces, Makati City, a bar that has an Old Americana meets Steampunk vibe, brimming with wooden panel flooring, broken cemented metal fixtures, leather displays, and vintage memoirs brought from all over the world. A space—or rather a home—that perfectly fits the DNA of the Circus 2020’s collective vision and raw artistry while highlighting magnetic local and international talents.
Photos by Cosio
Sprawling the area are night market, local food stalls, art installations, retail pop-ups, live DJs and acts simultaneously playing in 20:20, XX XX and The Courtyard, such as <S>andwich, Dayaw, BP Valenzuela, Bawal Clan, Dante & Amigo, Butta B, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Chuvaness, Thrones, Ram, XIII, Shigeki Fukuda, Zer Zac, Chad Umali, Mica, Bryan Boogie, Pillow Talk, The Other Daddy, Ayon, The Grrs, Red-i and Mulan. The air was brightly filled with hip hop, alternative rock, ambient electronic pop, deep house, electronica, disco, future beat, techno, introverted and indie dance until you find yourself endorphin-dazed and swaying to the funk up tunes in the early hours of dawn.
Brand and food pop-ups were situated in The Courtyard, just outside, grilling Yakitori skewers by Yakitori sa Gedli, serving Korean drunk food by Someyoung, powering the entire night with cold draft beer from Heineken, showcasing literature finds by Kwago book bar, selling quirky stickers by Pundesal and street clothing by We Drool Supply Co., Ever Since, BuzzHype and MN+LA.
Not your typical music and circus festival, Circus 2020 has a unique aesthetic that has evidently brought together a community of artists, musicians, revelers and entrepreneurs for more than a year. It has given Manila an incessant taste of the wildest parties at night with its stereophonic smorgasbord, eclectic music programming, and even entertainment antics like tarot card readings, record fare, live art, burlesque and cabaret performances. Circus 2020 has truly evolved and has brought an ever-growing crowd, and who knows what they have up on their sleeves next?
Stay tuned for updates on 20:20/XX XX’s Facebook and Instagram.
