World Arts West

10/16/2026

Here's a few archival program pages and videos from the 1996 San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival.
Latin cultures on display as we close out Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month!

If you have any photos or a program book from 1996, we'd love to connect with you. Email Program and Marketing Manager Andréa Spearman at [email protected]

(1) Program Book cover
(2) Yaelisa
(3-4) Grupo Folklórico Teocalli
(5) Flamenco Society of San Jose
(6) Samba do Coracao

10/15/2026

🏆 In 2003 World Arts West presented Rosa Montoya with the "MALONGA CASQUELOURD LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE FIELD OF ETHNIC DANCE AND MUSIC"

Born into a long line of important Spanish Gypsy flamenco artists, Rosa has had a profound influence on the development and practice of flamenco in the Bay Area.

Rosa Montoya’s Bailes Flamencos was one of the Festival’s veteran companies. They appeared in the very first San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival in 1978 when it was at the Mission Cultural Center.

Visit a master class with renowned flamenco artist Rosa Montoya. Or...

10/14/2026

We continue to honor Hispanic and Latin Heritage Month, going back to the 2006 San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, with the theme of “Intersections: Time, Place, and Spirit".
Here are the global Latin cultures represented on stage.

📸: All Photos by RJ Muna

(1) De Rompe y Raja
(2) Ensambles Ballet Folklorico de San Francisco
(3) LiberTango Dancers
(4) Instituto Mazatlán Bellas Artes de Sacramento
(5) Obakoso Dance and Drum Ensemble
(6) Pasión Flamenca (formerly Arte y Compas)
(7) Arenas Dance Company
(8) Ballet Folklorico Alma de Mexico de South San Francisco
(9) El Tunante

10/13/2026

Uplifting Moments at Our Retreat 🌿✨
Joyful moments, meaningful connections, and a vision for tomorrow—our retreat was a beautiful reminder of the power of coming together.

Also, a heartfelt appreciation for our incredible board members who have been the backbone of our radical relaunch! Their dedication and passion lit the path to our brighter future.

10/11/2026

In celebration of Hispanic and Latin Heritage Month, we're going back in the archive to 2016! Then named the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, we presented at SF City Hall and the Palace of Fine Arts several groups that represented global Latin cultures.

📸: All Dress Rehearsal Photos by Mark Muntean

(1) 2016 Program Cover - Gamelan Sekar Jaya, Photo by RJ Muna
(2) El Tunante, Photo by Terry Conway
(3-4) San Francisco Flamenco Dance Company
(5-6) Ballet Folklórico Netzahualcoyotl
(7-8) Espíritu Andino
(9-10) Ballet Folklórico Nube de Oro
(11-12) AguaClara Flamenco
(13-14) Nicaragua Danza, Hijos del Maíz
(15-16) Ensambles Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco
(17-18) Ballet Folklórico México Danza
(19-20) Alafia Dance Ensemble
(21-22) Los Danzantes de Aztlán de Fresno State

10/11/2026

In celebration of Hispanic/Latin Heritage Month, we're going back in the archive to 2016! Then named the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, we presented at SF City Hall and the Palace of Fine Arts several groups that represented global Latin cultures.

📸: All Dress Rehearsal Photos by Mark Muntean

(1) Program Cover - Gamelan Sekar Jaya, Photo by RJ Muna
(2) El Tunante, Photo by Terry Conway
(3-4) San Francisco Flamenco Dance Company
(5-6) Ballet Folklórico Netzahualcoyotl
(7-8) Espíritu Andino
(9-10) Ballet Folklórico Nube de Oro
(11-12) AguaClara Flamenco
(13-14) Nicaragua Danza, Hijos del Maíz
(15-16) Ensambles Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco
(17-18) Ballet Folklórico México Danza
(19-20) Alafia Dance Ensemble
(21-22) Los Danzantes de Aztlán de Fresno State

10/09/2026

We’re a San Francisco Arts Commission/Grants for the Arts Grantee! 🎉
The Arts Commission and Grants for the Arts recently announced a combined investment in the arts totaling over $25 million, supporting nearly 400 local artists and arts organizations.

This investment will directly support World Arts West’s work over the next year to help us continue creating, connecting and contributing to San Francisco’s vibrant arts community.

We’re grateful for this investment in our organization and in the city’s vibrant arts and cultural ecosystem. Thank you, San Francisco Arts Commission/Grants for the Arts, for supporting local artists and arts organizations!
Learn more at sf.gov/artscommission

10/07/2026

Be a Change Maker! 💪
Help shape the future of World Arts West as we prepare for our 50th anniversary. We're looking for board members committed to artists and cultural communities. Nominations open until Nov 20. Nominate yourself or someone inspiring today!
Link in the Bio 🔗

10/05/2026

🏆 Meet Ms. Blanche Brown, a longstanding community leader who has contributed to bringing awareness of Haitian culture to the Bay Area.

Learn more about her and our other Board members at www.WorldArtsWest.org