2026 WAWDF Weekend #2 - Legacy Artist Panel

World Arts West is proud to announce the return of our annual Dance Festival!

The Festival will be presented over three weekends in July, August and September. This year our Festival theme is “Legacy of Liberation!”

We are exploring the themes of Legacy, Empowerment and Belonging leading up to our 50th Anniversary in 2028.

Weekend Two honors five legacy artists in the World Arts West community: Deborah Vaughn (Dimensions Dance Theater), Mythili Kumar (Abhinaya Dance Company of San José), Naomi Diouf (Diamano Coura West African Dance Company) and Roy & PJ Hirabayashi (San Jose Taiko). These esteemed elders will join us at the Koret Auditorium inside the main branch of the San Francisco Public Library for an afternoon of discussion and memories moderated by World Arts West CEO, Dr. Anne Huang and Artistic Director of Los Lupenos de San José, Samuel Cortez. Join us to celebrate and document the legacies of these foundational Bay Area dance legends. There will be reception following the panel discussion in the Latino/Hispanic Community Room.

Make sure you join the mailing list and follow us on Instagram for all the latest updates at www. WorldArtsWest.org!

FREE

Donations accepted! Join our community of givers by donating to our General Fund so that we can continue to pay festival artists, speakers and staff equitably. Tap here to Donate!

This year our merch will focus on the World Arts West brand that you can wear and take with you all year long! This means t-shirts, hoodies, water bottles, tote bags, and more!
Buy your merch NOW and wear to the festival! --> WAW Merch Store

We are proud to be hosted by SF Public Library!

The main branch of the SF Library is located in the heart of downtown.
The Koret Auditorium is one floor below the street level entrance.
It is an ADA accessible building with an elevator.

They are just a few steps from the Civic Center BART station and are accessible by MUNI & Bus lines. Visit 511.org.

• Civic Center Garage (355 McAllister Street, between Polk and Larkin Streets)
• Performing Arts Garage (360 Grove Street, between Franklin and Gough Streets)

There are several privately run garages near the Main Library in the Civic Center area as well as metered parking spaces around the Main Library.

By purchasing a ticket you:

• agree to allow your image to be used for promotional materials and/or social media by festival organizers, sponsors, and partners.
• Agree to take personal measures for your own health and safety. That can include bringing water and snacks, any medications, informing festival staff if you begin to feel faint or dizzy.

(Headshot by Noelle Campos)

(Headshot courtesy of Artist)