Peruvian Christmas Festival, Dance & Music | City Hall

Submitted by the Event Organizer

“Rotunda Dance Series” San Francisco City Hall Performance Festival

The “Rotunda Dance Series” is a set of free monthly dance performances in San Francisco City Hall’s extraordinary rotunda, Dancers’ Group and World Arts West have once again partnered to bring audiences lunchtime glimpses into movement and musical traditions from around the world.

Set amidst the grandeur of San Francisco City Hall’s Rotunda, these free lunchtime presentations bring dance forms from across the globe to this magnificent venue. All performances are free and start at noon.

Friday, December 5, 2014
“Rotunda Dance Series” San Francisco City Hall Performance Festival

This December, the Rotunda Dance Series will mark the holidays with Peruvian dance and music ensemble De Rompe y Raja in collaboration with dancers from Asociación Cultural Kanchis.

A highlight of the performance will be “Hatajo de Negritos,” a vignette of a Christmas festival in the town of El Carmen, Chincha—a festival with diverse elements from Peru’s cultural history. In this tradition, indigenous Peruvian, Spanish and African cultures converge. The lyrics are from European Christmas carols, with some references to the hardships of slavery. Dancers carry hand bells and rope whips reminiscent of slavery, and they dance in parallel lines led by a caporal, or foreman. The melodies are of Spanish origin with a strong Andean influence.

De Rompe y Raja is a cultural organization that promotes and preserves the legacy of Afro-descendants from coastal Peru. It was founded in 1995 by Peruvian musicians and dancers in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.