Ballet Folklórico of Sister City La Serena, Chile to perform twice on Big Island

During an official visit as representatives of La Serena, Chile, a Sister City of the County of Hawai’i, Ballet Folklórico will perform on Feb. 8 at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo Performing Arts Center and on Feb. 10 at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea.

The ballet company, created under the administration of La Serena Mayor Roberto Jacob Jure, is an artistic cast of excellence. It uses dance to promote the social and cultural manifestations of the people of Chile with an emphasis on the local heritage of the city of La Serena.

“This is the first group from La Serena in our almost 30-year sister city relationship to ever visit Hawai’i,” said Jane Clement, Hawai’i County’s Sister City protocol officer. “We are excited to welcome them to our island and invite our community to show them our aloha by supporting their shows.”

During the past eight years, Ballet Folklórico has performed more than 2,000 times throughout Chile, in addition to making appearances in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Ecuador. It has a wide and diverse repertoire acclaimed by critics specializing in traditional Chilean culture, which positions it as one of the best artistic casts in its area.

“Our Sister City relationships are very important to our administration,” Hawai’i County Mayor Mitch Roth said. “The mission of this program is to build global cooperation at the municipal level, promote cultural understanding and stimulate sustainable economic development.”

The performance at the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center is on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets go to https://hilo.hawaii.edu/depts/theatre/tickets/#show-12. Ticket prices are:

• 20 general
• $15 senior (55 and older)
• $15 faculty/staff/alumni
• $10 UH Hilo/HCC student with valid ID (one ticket per ID)
• $10 youth 17 and younger. 

The performance at the Kahilu Theatre in Waimea is on Feb. 10. at 6 p.m. To purchase tickets, go to https://kahilutheatre.org/Home. Tickets are $35.