For the first time, The Ifugao Music & Dance Ensemble of Banaue is here in the Bay Area direct from the Philippines to share their traditional culture and art. Unlike the more theatrical performances of most Philippine dance troupes, the Ifugao Music & Dance Ensemble can be considered a more “authentic” one, as members of the actual tribe sanction it. A friend of mine who recently saw this group perform described it as dancing “the way they might dance in an actual ritual, and act out various events in the tribal setting.”
In a society where native traditions are often romanticized and laced with theatrics, this may be a wonderfully rare and genuine experience to behold.
The ensemble will be performing this Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 7:30PM at Sacramento State University for FREE.
If this is too far for you to travel, they will be performing at the City College of San Francisco, on Thursday, October 25, 2007, at 12:30PM.
