LOS ANGELES – The Philippines’ premier ballet company will bring its masterpieces to the US and Canada on a four-week tour to celebrate Filipino American Heritage Month in October.
Ballet Philippines is also commemorating its 45th anniversary as it begins its North American tour on Saturday, October 4 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
It will then perform at the California Theater in San Jose on Sunday, October 12, with performances following in Oregon, Washington and Vancouver, Canada.
Featuring award-winning and notable works, the performances will highlight different facets of “the Filipinos’ indomitable spirit” and diverse culture. Ranging from traditional folksongs to contemporary expressions, the production brings “a taste of home to many Filipinos here as well as an invitation for all to partake of the fun, dynamic energy of the Philippines,” said the company’s press statement.
“Ballet Philippines is the first professional dance company in Southeast Asia and it has made significant contributions to Asian arts and culture in the development of dance through new works and Filipino and international classics,” stated Margie Moran Floirendo, president of Ballet Philippines’ Board of Trustees and former Miss Universe (1973).
“It has been over 15 years since we have performed in the United States and we feel that it is a big opportunity for us to celebrate our 45th year by staging a presentation that has earned critical acclaim at home and abroad for its culturally unique demonstration of Filipino artistry to our Filipino-American audiences,” Floirendo added.
Ballet Philippines will showcase several of its best and most celebrated works from notable choreographers, highlighting the company’s dual mastery of classical and contemporary dance.
The “MasterPieces” repertoire includes George Birkadze’s “Farandole,” Alden Lugnasin’s “Aku,” Denisa Reyes’ “For the Gods,” and Agnes Locsin’s “Moriones.”
The company will also perform “The Bungkos Suite,” the work of Ballet Philippines founder, Artistic Director Emeritus and just-named Philippines National Artist for Dance, Alice Reyes.
Floirendo and Ballet Philippines Artistic Director Paul Alexander Morales will carry the banner of the Cultural Center of the Philippines as they accompany the tour through the West Coast cities.
“The Ballet Philippines performances are ‘one-night only’ exclusive events in the cities they are touring,” explained Becca Godinez, executive producer of GodinUs Music, “and I am beyond thrilled that they are able to make this tour happen because it will give patrons the opportunity to see a culturally unique performance they will never forget. It will be a classical, contemporary and indigenous tour-de-force dance performance. I am very excited for the opportunity to bring this company to the US as they celebrate this special moment in their history.”
A portion of the proceeds from both the Los Angeles and San Jose performances will be donated to the Ballet Philippines Foundation, for its continuing arts education work, and to the Apl.de.ap Foundation International, for its continuing humanitarian work with disenfranchised children and Typhoon Haiyan survivors in the Philippines.
Ballet Philippines’ “MasterPieces” – Celebrating 45 Years of Dance
Saturday, October 4 at 8:00pm Pasadena Civic Auditorium 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, California For tickets call: 626-449-7360 Ticket prices: $45 | $35 | $25
Sunday, October 12, at 7:30pm California Theater in San Jose 345 South First Street, San Jose, California 95113 For tickets call: 408-792-4111 Ticket prices: $65 | $45 | $35 | $25
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