Kaisahan Unidad
ONENESS or UNITY – in Tagalog it is KAISAHAN and in Spanish it’s UNIDAD.
An inspiring evening of dance and music from Ensambles Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco and LIKHA-Pilipino Folk Ensemble ‒ a collaborative performance by two veteran dance groups from the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival.
The Philippines and Mexico share many traditions which derive from ties established over the span of 400 years while under the Spanish crown. Kaisahan Unidad explores the story of shared history told through the folkloric dance of the Philippines and Mexico – East and West.
The past, present, and future embodied through shared rhythms, intricate footwork, and gorgeous costumes.
SPECIAL NOTE: At Sunday night’s performance, Rudi Soriano – Founder and Artistic Director of Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble – will receive the prestigious “Malonga Casquelourd Lifetime Achievement Award”, to recognize his accomplishments as a performer, choreographer, teacher, and leader in the Pilipino community.
About Ensambles Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco:
Ensambles Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco was founded in 1992 to preserve the tradition of Mexican folk dance, and a mission to promote it with quality and authenticity. Their work showcases how Mexican folklore is a continually evolving dance form based on tradition and ritual that touches performers’ and audiences’ souls. Tours abroad include various states in Mexico and China. In 1999, Ensambles began bringing its own productions and original pieces to the stage with extraordinary success and artistry.
ensambles-sf.com
About LIKHA-Pilipino Folk Ensemble:
Founded in 1992 as a performing group by Rudi Soriano, LIKHA-Pilipino Folk Ensemble believes in the power of dance and music to share the beauty of Philippine culture. LIKHA has grown into an arts organization with a diverse breadth of programs and performances, representing the Philippines in 11 international festivals. LIKHA continually expands its repertoire and maintains authentic costuming, props, and instruments—by researching, developing, and nurturing relationships with diverse communities throughout the Philippines.
likha.org
The 42nd Annual San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival will be presented at the Presidio Theatre in 2020.
About the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival:
Founded in 1978, the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival supports and showcases over 450 Bay Area dance companies that are sustaining and celebrating the world’s cultural legacy. New York Times called this annual Festival “a glorious achievement…one of the finest of all American dreams: a setting where cultures can celebrate their own traditions while honoring and applauding others.” After four decades of extensive work with artists throughout the Bay Area’s diverse communities, the work of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival is being increasingly recognized for creating the epicenter for dance from over 100 unique world cultures, resulting in the most vibrant and diverse dance community in the world. Over the years, the Festival performances have featured over 26,000 artists to vast critical acclaim.
sfethnicdancefestival.org
Photography:
© RJ Muna, All Rights Reserved. San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival.