NEWSFLASH

BAYANIHAN TO DANCE AT DISNEY WORLD

Manila, May 4, 2000 - The Bayanihan Philippine Dance Comapny is leaving for Florida, USA for a two-week performance tour from May 14 to 28 at Disney World's brand new Epcot Millennium Pavilion Theater.

The company's series of performances is part of Disney's 15-month salute to the new millennium. The Pavilion has an area of 60,000 square feet to accommodate exhibits and artists from over 20 countries. Within the Pavilion is a 5,000 square-foot enclosed theater which will be the setting for the Bayanihan shows. Dance groups, singers, and instrumentalists will take turns performing during the celebration.

A one-night pre-Epcot performance will be given by the Bayanihan at the Araneta Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 6. Coliseum records show the Bayanihan performances have always been crowd drawers.

Joining the young and talented dancers in a special number are this year's Bb. Pilipinas beauties. Choreographer Ferdinand Jose, taking over the late National Artist for Dance Lucrecia Urtula, has woven storylines around the various dance suites.

Computer images and moving lights, technologies used in today's rock and pop concerts, are cleverly used to enhance the group's vast folk art and cultural dance and song repertoire.

In addition to the visual spectacle, a deeper impression of origins, birth, social forces, and overarching design is imparted to the audience.

Artistic and costume director Isabel Santos' meticulously researched costumes are highly commendable. A Bayanihan pioneer, Santos has criss-crossed the country with Urtula and National Artist for Music Lucrecia Kasilag to research on costumes, dances, and music for theater use.