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Stage
Traditional doesn't mean old-fashioned
By JOHN FLEMING
Published November 23, 2006
Filipino folk dance and culture comes to Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center on Friday with Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company. For nearly 50 years, the company has been known for its artful presentation of music, dance and theater with lavish costumes to communicate the vision of founder Dr. Helena Z. Benitez. "We began as performers of traditional dance and music (and) evolved and developed over the years into interpreters, innovators and trendsetters by remaining faithful to our folk heritage while enriching and ennobling the traditional dances we have inherited with creativity, artistry and audacity," reads a statement on the company's Web site (www.bayanihannationaldanceco.ph). Since September, Bayanihan has been on a U.S. tour, with scores of performances coast to coast. In Las Vegas, the Review-Journal said the production, with 25 dancers and seven musicians, "felt part Broadway musical, part concert and part raw folklore." Bayanihan dancers will hold a master class from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Friday at the Patel Conservatory, adjacent to the performing arts center; the class is free to conservatory students and $5 for others. The company's performance is at 7:30 p.m. Friday in TBPAC's Ferguson Hall. $25.50-$35.50. (813) 229-7827 or toll-free 1-800-955-1045; www.tbpac.org.
[Last modified November 22, 2006, 11:15:17]
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