Bayanihan

Kawayan Folk Arts is a performing arts troupe based in the South Bay Area, California. Kawayan, meaning "bamboo" in Tagalog, references the Philippine creation myth where the first man and woman emerged from a piece of bamboo. Their ethnic music and dance performances are composed with traditional Filipino elements, steps, and musical instruments to depict narrative stories and cultural motifs.

For 18 years, Kawayan Folk Arts has celebrated the performing arts based on the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines in Northern California. It is operated by unpaid volunteers and composed of adult novice performing artists. Its artistic vision is to connect audiences — through storytelling, shared experiences, and themes— to the rich performing arts heritage of the Philippines.

Kawayan Folk Arts, Inc. is a nonprofit public benefit corporation within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

The specific objectives and purposes of Kawayan Folk Arts are: 

1. to provide instruction in ethnic and contemporary dance forms inspired from the cultures of the Philippines;

2. to provide instruction in music and musical instruments from the Philippines;

3. to give public performances in musical concerts, dance forms, and creative dramatics;

4. to sponsor special events involving the public performance of any or all of the above art forms as well as other performing arts by the corporation’s performing troupe as well as by other community performing arts groups;

5. to directly engage in and to provide support for others to engage in the promotion of the arts, generally. 

Services 

To inquire about services, complete our form here.

• Dance Performance – Ethnic-inspired folk dance from various regions in the Philippines 

• Music Performance– Ethnic percussion (gangsa and kulintangan) and rondalla from the Philippines 

• Theater Arts - Costume, stage, lighting design, production & stage management.

• Workshops or lessons – Tailored for your family or organizational event.