The UGA Performing Arts Center will present a performance by the Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, in Hodgson Concert Hall in Athens.
The Bayanihan has performed indigenous Philippine art forms in music, dance, costumes and folklore for more than 50 years worldwide. The group takes its name from an ancient Filipino tradition called bayanihan, which means working together for a common good.
In 1956, Helena Z. Benitez founded the Bayanihan Folk Dance Group of the Philippine Women's University. The following year, the Bayanihan Folk Arts Center was formally organized with the dance company as its performing arm.
In 1958, Bayanihan made its highly debut at the Brussels Universal Exposition. Ed Sullivan featured the group in his telecast "Highlights of the Brussels Fair," which was seen by 40 million viewers in the United States.
In 1959, the company opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theater and earned rave reviews from the New York critics. Since then, it has conducted 14 world tours, performing on six continents in 64 countries and 658 cities.
Tickets to the performance are 20-$37,with discounts for UGA students and groups of 15 or more. To purchase tickets, contact the Performing Arts Center box office at 706- 542-4400, toll free 888-289-8497, or visit online.
