Half and Halves' Punjabi-Mexican Dance Premiere November 13, 2010

Saturday, November 13, at 7 pm, and Sunday, November 14, at 2 pm

An exploration in dance of the little-known cultural and artistic legacies of Punjabi-Mexican communities founded in California in the early 20th century inspires the collaboration of Bhangra dancer/choreographer Joti Singh with her company Duniya Dance and Drum Company and Ensambles Ballet Folklorico de San Francisco in the premiere of Half and Halves, Saturday, November 13, at 7 pm and Sunday, November 14, at 2pm at the Brava Theater in San Francisco. Half and Halves takes as its subject matter the establishment and impacts of mixed Punjabi and Mexican families that began in the early 20th century as a result of strict immigration and marriage laws, social pressures and conventions and gives the story wings within the rich dance forms and histories of these cultures that are central to the story of California and the West. The story holds particular relevance for Americans today as immigration laws and cultural identities are at the forefront of government policy and the news, and the piece takes its name from the slang term for the children of Punjabi-Mexican parents. The performance features 26 dancers and live music has been generously funded by the Creative Work Fund and the San Francisco Arts Commission.

The work will feature both Mexican Folklorico dance, as well as Bhangra, a high energy harvest and celebration dance from Punjab, India, exploring themes related to farming life, marriage, immigration, and racial and ethnic discrimination. The choreographers also explore dance in this performance that does not neatly fit into one genre or another, drawing inspiration from the complex cultural identities of these communities and the issues and challenges they faced. The pieces are all accompanied by live music.

Official Website: http://www.duniyadance.com/