Dance Troupe > History
FAAP Dance Troupe History: A Timeline
| 1964 | A handful of graduate students and professionals formed a group to participate at the 8th Pittsburgh Folk Festival at Syria Mosque, Oakland. |
| 1965 | The World's Fair in New York City was on-going at the time. The group borrowed a decorated jeepney and drove it to Pittsburgh to be the stellar attraction at the 9th Pittsburgh Folk Festival held at the Syria Mosque, where the group performed again. |
| 1966 | The Dancers under the direction of Flanny Chu performed a program of Tinikling, Kuratsa and La Jota Moncadena at the 10th Pittsburgh Folk Festival. |
| 1967 | The 11th Pittsburgh Folk Festival moved to the Civic Arena and the group continued its participation. The group operated under many coordinators, mostly with Lucille Guevarra at the helm. |
| 1972-1975 | The Golden Years. The professional team of Fermin and Lina Espinosa were program directors. This period was considered the best choreography ever for the group to date. |
| 1976 | The Pittsburgh Folk Festival moved to the David Lawrence Convention Center for the Bicentennial Celebration. Lucille Guevarra took over again together with Pete Guevara. Pete introduced Charleston-Tinikling, danced by brother-sister team of Lito and Cyla Alcantara, which was a big hit at the event. |
| 1980 | The Dance Troupe had a series of choreographers, instructors and directors including Pete Guevara, Tesy Buenviaje, Evelyn Yamat, Nelly Hooley, and the indefatigable Lucille Guevarra. |
| 1983 | With Johnny Abuso as the choreographer/director, an attempt to form a formal Dance Troupe was initiated. |
| 1985 | Lucille and Tesy took over the reins again. After much argument with the Festival Program Director (Nick Jordanoff), this was the first time our children under the age of 10 years were allowed to perform (Carinosa) on stage, much to the delight of the general audience. |
| 1986 | The 30th Pittsburgh Folk Festival formally introduced the Children's Show. Our little ones performed Kalapati, Ba Ingles, and Maglalatik. |
| 1989 | The Filipinos were the highlight nationality at the 33rd Pittsburgh Folk Festival. Portia Sabido was engaged to choreograph, direct and instruct the dance troupe for a 30-minute program of Filipino dances. Portia stayed until 1990 Folk Festival participation. |
| 1990's | Lucille back at helm. Starting in 1994, the youth group (YFAP) assumed full responsibility for the Pittsburgh Folk Festival program, with Lucille's guidance. Nelly Hooley was consultant or teacher at some years. In 1996, the 1st Benefit Concert was held at the Smithfield United Church, downtown Pittsburgh, featuring the Dance Troupe. |
| 1997 | Portia Sabido returned as choreographer, director and instructor until 2000. The 2nd Benefit Concert showcasing the Dance Troupe was held at Synod Hall, Oakland. |
| 1998 | The Dance troupe was invited to perform at the Smithsonian Institution Folklife Festival in Washington D.C. to celebrate the Philippine Centennial. The 3rd Benefit Concert showcasing the Dance Troupe was held at the University Center, Carnegie Mellon University. |
| 2001 | Choreographers, instructors, and directors included Elaine Hong, Canada-based Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe, and Nelly Hooley. The FAAP Board of Directors approved that the FAAP will henceforth own and provide the dancers' costumes. |
| 2002 | Judith Portugal became choreographer and instructor. She continued for year 2003 when the Dance Troupe was featured at the 4th Benefit Concert and Mother's Day Celebration held at the Bellefield Auditorium, University of Pittsburgh. Jesse Padchonga assisted in the choreography of Ifugao dance Banga (groom part), starting this year until 2005. |
| 2004 | Choreography and instruction was done by Nelly Hooley and a group coached by Canada-based Fiesta Filipina when Judith Portugal took a sabbatical. |
| 2005 | Judith Portugal returned as director, choreographer, and instructor. The Dance Troupe was invited to participate in the multi-state celebration of Philippine Independence Day in New York City. The 5th Benefit Concert and Mother's Day Celebration featuring the Dance Troupe was held at the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, University of Pittsburgh. The Troupe was awarded a grant from the Greater Pittsburgh Art Council/Pennsylvania Council for the Arts (GPAC/PCA). |
| 2006 | Judith Portugal continued as director, choreographer and instructor of the Dance Troupe with assistance from Cynthia Lucero, formerly from a California-based Filipino Dance Company. The Dance troupe continued its annual performances at the Pittsburgh Folk Festival and University of Pittsburgh's Nationality Rooms Holiday Open House. The Troupe was awarded its second GPAC/PCA grant. |
Compiled by Nenette Angeles from recollections of Lucille Guevarra and Irna de Leon-Knapp 
02.22.2007
