Actor to help arts group celebrate Fil-Am month

CHULA VISTA

Earlier this year, Anjanette Maraya-Ramey signed a five-year lease on a performing arts space in Chula Vista, her hometown. Her goal: to fulfill her dream of “creating a new artist hub that is centered around uplifting the stories and voices of those who have been historically marginalized in the performing arts.”

Then COVID-19 happened, forcing the pandemic-induced March 17 shutdown of her newly formed business.

Now, nearly seven months later, Maraya Performing Arts is but one of countless arts organizations across the country devastated by the pandemic.

Maraya-Ramey, however, won’t be deterred by that: “I am a Filipina-owned small business owner and cancer survivor. I survived an aggressive form of cancer, and I am confident that my small business can fight through this global pandemic.”

On Saturday, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. PST, Maraya Performing Arts is hosting a Zoom event with Filipino American Hollywood and Broadway actor Vincent Rodriguez III (@vrodrigueziii on Instagram). He’s best known for his role in the highly popular TV show “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” a romantic musical comedy-drama that ran for four seasons on the CW network.

The actor — whose appearance is a fundraiser for and part of Maraya Performing Arts’ observance of Filipino American History Month — will talk about breaking barriers in Hollywood and on Broadway.

Maraya-Ramey hopes Rodriguez’s appearance will help viewers “gain a stronger understanding about Filipinx/a/o culture, and why diversity and representation in the arts matters.”

The event will be on a pay-what-you-can basis — up to $100 — with attendees being asked to make a suggested donation of $25. It’s part of the organization’s efforts to raise $75,000 by Dec. 31. Funds raised will help with the construction of its new space, which will include three dance studios and coworking space for artists, designers and other creatives.

For more information, go to marayaarts.com/events/.