Swirl with the sounds and savor the sensations—this is where music, gastronomy, and art converge in constantly shifting, spectacular patterns

I attended the recent media briefing for Medium Rare, held at Gallery by Chele, and Manila, we are in for an experience unlike any other. It’s coming in May (details at the end), and I am genuinely excited for this.

Medium Rare has always been more than just a party—it’s a manifesto to music and gastronomy. And this 7th installment, themed Kaleidoscope, is amping it up in every conceivable way. Co-created and curated by acclaimed culinary innovator and DJ (yes, he was a DJ before he was a chef) Chele Gonzalez and Samantha Nicole, one of Manila’s most visionary underground music curators, this is more than a night out—it’s a carefully orchestrated cultural experiment.

Chef Chele nails it when he says, “Medium is the space where disciplines meet; Rare is our desire to present something beyond the mainstream.” And Kaleidoscope? That’s the philosophy in motion: a swirl of genres, cultures, and artistic expression all coming together to form something bigger than the sum of its parts.

A night where borders blur

From its inception, Medium Rare has been about local talent (from the metro’s best DJs to the more obscure and up-and-coming artists with a cult following)—and it has been brilliant. But this edition pushes Manila’s cultural boundaries by bringing in international artists for the first time. From Spain, we have electronic music maestro Pablo Bolívar, founder of Seven Villas Music and a pioneer of deep, atmospheric techno. His work balances hypnotic rhythms with emotional melodic structures, creating tracks that make your body move even as your mind wanders. Bolívar’s participation is backed by the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, underscoring the event’s role in cultural exchange.

Italy is also represented by the composers and pianists Lorenzo Travaglini and Davide Semmarchi, from Bosco Studio, an Italian creative collective exploring the intersection of neoclassical composition and cinematic sound. Travaglini’s emotionally driven piano works and Semmarchi’s ethereal textures create immersive musical narratives that are at once classical and modern, a first-of-its-kind experience for Manila audiences. Their visit is supported by the Philippine–Italian Association, highlighting the event’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural artistic dialogue.

This is where cultures groove and grow together

Medium Rare wouldn’t be Medium Rare without Manila’s own thriving creative community. This edition features nine local Filipino artists who are defining the city’s electronic and experimental music scene. The mix of local and international talent ensures that the night is not just a show—it’s a dialogue. Different genres, different cultures, one mesmerizing experience.

Samantha Nicole emphasizes intention, inclusivity, and community. This is a space where everyone can be themselves, where the dance floor becomes a meeting point for strangers, where electronic music is celebrated without stigma, and where the Medium Rare brand grows thoughtfully and intentionally. It’s not just about putting on a spectacle; it’s about cultivating a cultural ecosystem where music, food, and art support and elevate each other.

Food is part of the narrative, not the main story

And yes, there will be fabulous food (this is the Chef Chele we’re talking about after all)—but it won’t be the sole focus. Here’s the twist: gastronomy becomes part of the narrative, complementing the music and art in subtle, unexpected ways. To isolate the equation: experiencing > eating. One bite, one beat, one visual moment after another, all curated to create a holistic sensory journey. This will be an experience that transcends mere dining, that’s for sure.

Why Kaleidoscope?

The event’s title is super intentional. Just as fragments inside a kaleidoscope rotate to form constantly shifting patterns, Medium Rare Kaleidoscope fuses neoclassical piano, hypnotic electronic music, culinary art, and visual installations into a living composition. Contrasts become beauty. Boundaries dissolve. By the end of the night, what started as individual pieces—music, food, art—merges into one electrifying, unforgettable experience.

The practical stuff (because you need to know)

Mark your calendars: May 9, 7 PM to 4 AM, at Salon de Ning, The Peninsula Manila. Tickets are limited, as the experience is designed to be intimate yet vibrant—perfect for music lovers, creatives, and anyone who wants to feel the pulse of Manila’s cultural nightlife in a whole new way. Eyes on Medium Rare Musik PH for ticket announcements and purchase details: https://www.instagram.com/mediumraremusik/

Medium Rare is not just an event. It’s a statement: that music can be a conversation across borders, that food can be poetry in motion, that art can bring strangers together and make them feel like a community. If you live for good food, good music, and good art, this is the night to show up.

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