Tag: dancing

Philippine Cultural Arts Festival in Balboa Park.

Folk dancers prepare to go on stage at today's cultural exhibition.
Folk dancers prepare to go on stage at today’s cultural exhibition.

I went for a typical weekend walk today. I just headed up to Balboa Park to see what I would see.

And I saw a lot!

My most interesting and enjoyable experience came as I strolled through the 30th Philippine Cultural Arts Festival put on by the Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts and Education Center. The big event was taking place on some grass at the south end of Balboa Park, near Park Boulevard.

Lots of folks were enjoying authentic Filipino food, browsing through many booths, and watching a variety of unique demonstrations and entertainment. Workshops were even available to the public, teaching anyone interested to speak Tagalog, play the Bandurria, Angklung and Kulintang, practice self-defense in the style of Arnis or Eskrima, and dance Tinikling, which is the very colorful national dance of the Philippines.

Here are some pics!

Scott Lost showcases his 2nd Shift comic books and other artwork!
Scott Lost showcases his 2nd Shift comic books and other artwork!

Local artist Scott Lost was showing and selling his work. He has self-published a cool independent comic book series called 2nd Shift. Check it out!

Funny t-shirts celebrate Filipino life at special event in Balboa Park.
Funny t-shirts celebrate Filipino life at special event in Balboa Park.
Guys with swords teach Philippine martial arts!
Guys with swords teach Philippine martial arts!

I wouldn’t mess with these dudes!

Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts and Education Center.
Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts and Education Center.
San Diegans from many different communities enjoyed the festival.
San Diegans from many different communities enjoyed the festival.
Folk dances from the Philippines were part of the cultural exhibition.
Folk dances from the Philippines were part of the cultural exhibition.
The audience enjoyed some colorful and joyful entertainment!
The audience enjoyed some colorful and joyful sights!

The festival is also going on Sunday (tomorrow) from 11-5. You’ll find it by the corner of Park Boulevard and Presidents Way. If you’re in San Diego, check it out!

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Folks enjoy House of Austria lawn program.

Dancers from House of Austria in Balboa Park.
Dancers from House of Austria in Balboa Park.

I got a few pics of another Sunday afternoon lawn program at Balboa Park’s International Cottages. This weekend it was Austria’s turn!

Dancing, singing and food were abundant for the entertainment of anyone interested in Austrian culture.  Many in the crowd wore traditional folk costumes.  There was a beauty queen and opera performances and it all concluded with many participants singing the popular favorite Edelweiss.

Austrian beauty queen smiles for my camera!
Austrian beauty queen smiles for my camera!
Folks watch lawn program of House of Austria.
Folks watch lawn program of House of Austria.
Food tent has sausage and other tasty Austrian food.
Food tent has sausage and other tasty Austrian food.
Everyone applauds a fantastic operatic duet.
Everyone applauds a fantastic operatic duet.

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Native American Pow Wow in Balboa Park!

Mothers in native costume in a large round dance.
Mothers in different native costumes perform a large round dance.

Yesterday my wandering feet led me to a Pow Wow in the south end of Balboa Park. What a colorful, amazing event! The Native American Heritage Pow Wow featured a large grassy stage with a variety of costumed dancers. I lingered for a bit and got a few pics.

Making a dash for Mother's Day goodies on grass.
Making a dash for Mother’s Day goodies scattered on the grass.
Adjusting costumes before performing a dance.
Adjusting colorful costumes before performing a dance.
Native American art at Balboa Park pow-wow.
Native American art for sale at the Balboa Park Pow Wow.
Big crowd at American Indian Heritage Pow Wow.
Big crowd checks out Native American food and culture.
Young dancer at San Diego pow-wow.
Young dancer at San Diego Pow Wow.

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Cinco de Mayo fun in San Diego’s Old Town.

Lots of folks enjoying Cinco de Mayo in Old Town.
Lots of folks enjoying Cinco de Mayo weekend in Old Town.

Late this morning I took a long leisurely walk through San Diego’s Old Town, just to check out this weekend’s Cinco de Mayo festivities. Thousands of people had arrived already, and the crowd was rapidly growing!

People were excited to watch dancers and musicians performing on several stages. They enjoyed gobs of Mexican food, the Cantina Garden, a fun petting zoo, lots of very cool lowriders, and endless booths selling Mexican crafts and wares.

Mariachis play for huge crowd in Old Town's plaza.
Mariachis play for huge crowd in Old Town’s central plaza.
Posing in traditional Mexican garb at Cinco de Mayo.
Posing  for a fun Cinco de Mayo photo.
Colorful Mexican ornaments and gifts seemed to be everywhere.
Colorful Mexican ornaments and gifts seemed to be everywhere.
This barbeque smelled really good to the passing crowd.
This barbeque smelled really good to the passing crowd.
Curled mustache and prickly pear lemonade!
Curled mustache and old-fashioned prickly pear lemonade!
Fiesta de Reyes even more festive for Cinco de Mayo.
Fiesta de Reyes was more festive than usual for Cinco de Mayo.
One Mexican folk dancer watches another on stage.
One Mexican folk dancer watches another perform on stage.
Bright dress worn by lady walking behind Seeley Stable.
Bright yellow festival dress worn by lady walking behind Seeley Stable.
A petting zoo was set up in Old Town for the kids.
A petting zoo was set up in Old Town for the kids.
Dramatic end of long line of hydraulic lowriders.
There were dozens of amazing hydraulic lowriders.

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People dance as Catillacs rock Seaport Village.

People dance as the Catillacs rock Seaport Village.
People dance as the Catillacs rock Seaport Village.

Whenever I take a weekend walk through Seaport Village, I always hope the Catillacs are playing their vintage rock and roll at the East Plaza Gazebo. Because nobody can resist dancing to those classic tunes!

There’s just something magical about the sunshiny, laid-back atmosphere. Everyone loses their inhibitions. Young and old alike are moved by the music, and twirl about like delighted maniacs!

People let loose and just enjoy the weekend.
People let loose and just enjoy the weekend.
Everyone is jamming to vintage rock and roll music.
Everyone is jamming to vintage rock and roll music.
Dancing to a live band near the East Plaza Gazebo.
Dancing to a live band near the East Plaza Gazebo.
Catillacs guitarist in Seaport Village gazebo.
Catillacs guitarist in Seaport Village gazebo.