Ethnic Dance This Weekend

Ethnic dance performed by two San Diego-based companies will be performed on local stages this weekend. Saturday at 8 p.m., the contemporary flamenco dance drama “El Encuentro” will premier at the Mandeville Auditorium on the UC San Diego campus, marking the debut of the Solera Flamenco Dance Company. The theatrical piece will be accompanied by an original score and performed by a cast of 22 singers, dancers and musicians.

Philippine dance performed by the Samahan Philippine Dance Company will take the spotlight Sunday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Educational Cultural Complex in Southeast San Diego. The program will include traditional dances that represent both the Eastern and Western influences in Philippine dance. Among them is “The Muslim Suite,” as well as a fleet-footed pole dance performed by barefoot dancers amid the crashing of bamboo sticks.

Ruby Pearl Chiong and Lolita Carter choreographed the dances, which will be performed to live music by the Philippine Rondalla and the Kulintang Music Ensemble, led by Filipino musician Danongan Kalanduyan.