Labayen Dance

Background

About Labayen Dance

LABAYEN DANCE/SF: a celebrated contemporary ballet company founded in 1994, Labayen Dance/SF (LD/SF) is dedicated to nurturing the artistic activities and the choreographic work of its founder and director, Enrico Labayen. LD/SF's repertory stems from Mr. Labayen's unique background; it combines his firm base in classical and modern American dance with his Philippine heritage and its eastern philosophical and artistic assumptions. The company seeks to introduce the mainstream dance audience to Asian-American aesthetics and sensibilities through the presentation of dance performances. This is accomplished directly through the blending of Asian and American themes, music, and performers, and also indirectly through the quiet, focused grace and delicacy prevalent in Asian culture, as fused with the attack and unflinching individuality of American culture. The juxtaposition of these two cultural forces within Mr. Labayen's work has led to the creation of a new, unique physical and artistic language. Central to Enrico Labayen's work is the desire to communicate with the audience. Whether defining a narrative through movement, or eliciting a specific emotional response, the dramatic integrity of her work draws the audience in, encouraging them to take part in a collective artistic experience. At LD/SF, we envision a concert scenario in which the audience, regardless of cultural, gender and political background, connects deeply with our artistic and cultural ideals. We embrace our culture, while simultaneously challenging stereotypes and pushing boundaries, believing that art and dance can serve as a vehicle for understanding and identification between all human beings.