Dancing in the Diaspora at UHM Kennedy Theatre

Dancing in the Diaspora

Celebrating 50 years of the Center for Philippine Studies
November 14-23, 2025
*Pre-Show Chats at 6:45pm before Saturday performances

Created and Directed by Dr. J. Lorenzo Perillo
Artistic Director: Emmanuel Mante
Artistic Collaborators: Mary Chris (Mycs) Villoso, Von Ace Asilo, Angela Sebastian, Ron Querian, Lydia Querian, Manarii Gauthier and Nalini Gauthier

Dancing in the Diaspora delves into the interconnected lives of Filipinos maneuvering the waters of belonging and exclusion in Hawai‘i and beyond. The original Filipino cultural production is a collaboration between UHM’s Dance Program and the Center for Philippine Studies (CPS) to unearth the dynamic powers of dancing, identity, healing, and moblizing community. This compelling, high-energy live performance interweaves cultural storytelling with dynamic Hip-hop, street dance, contemoprary, Filipino Indigenous, and ‘Ori Tahiti choreographies accompanied by live kulintang and soulful Tahitian music. This production celebrates the 50th anniversary of CPS, established in 1975 by an Act of the Hawai‘i State Legislature to recognize the contributions of Filipinos to Hawai‘i, and is now the most developed center of its kind in the diaspora.
Written and Directed by Dr. J. Lorenzo Perillo, Associate Professor and Co-Director of CPS, Dancing in the Diaspora assembles acclaimed international and local choreographers Mary Chris (Mycs) Villoso, Von Ace Asilo, Angela Sebastian, Ron Querian and Lydia Querian of House of Gongs, and Manarii Gauthier and Nalini Gauthier, founders of award-winning Tahiti Mana.

This production will be performed in a combination of Filipino, Ilokano, and English languages.

Content Advisories: Profane language, mental health issues, colonization and cultural struggles, loss and grief.