MAINSTAGE 2026-27
Manila Shawl
Manila Shawl is a new triptych work by FakeKnot artistic director Ralph Escamillan, created in collaboration with guitarist and sound designer Eirene Cloma. It follows the Mantón de Manila through three stages: the Philippine pañuelo in collaboration with Philippine Folk Dance artists Peter Alcedo (Philippines, the Spanish Mantón in collaboration with Flamenco Choreographer Rosa Belmonte (Spain), and the BIG MANTON. A product of Spanish Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade, and shawl is central to Flamenco Dance and Andalusian culture… tho the influences of the Philippines are rarely spoken about - this work brings those history forward.
Ralph Escamillan / FakeKnot
photo: Daniel P. Galisteo
TRAILER
ARTIST BIO
FakeKnot is the umbrella entity for collaborative performance works that play with the complexities of identity and culture through costume, sound, technology, and movement. FakeKnot is grounded in street, commercial, and contemporary dance techniques that honours the queer, POC, Philippine diasporic identity of Artistic Director, Ralph Escamillan. Collaboration as a practice of knowledge co-creation is essential for FakeKnot in the ways it can generatively bring differences together. The company is a non-profit and registered charity, and gratefully acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the British Columbia Arts Council, and the City of Vancouver.
Performance History & Upcoming Performances
Premiering at Vancouver International Flamenco Festival in Fall of 2028
Project Created by: Dancer, Choreographer, Costume - Ralph Escamillan (Vancouver)
Key Artistic Collaborators:
Guitar and Sound Design - Eirene Cloma (Toronto)
Maria Clara Choreographer - Peter Alcedo Jr. (Quezon City, Philippines)
Mantón Choreographer - Rosa Belmonte (Seville, Spain)
Costumer/Seamstress - Robyn Jill Laxamana (Vancouver)
Milliner - Cappelleria Bertacchi Italian Hatcrafter - Adi Bertacchi (Vancouver)
Lighting - Gabriel Raminhos (Vancouver)
Outside eye - Yinka Esi Graves (Seville/London)
Performance type: THIS WORK IS ADAPTABLE TO THEATRE, OUTDOORS, OR ALTERNATIVE SITES
How do you define this work: Contemporary, Flamenco, Philippine Folk Dance, Live Music
Length of performance: TBD
Audience type:
Number of Performers on tour (including choreographer): 2
Number of Support Staff on Tour: 1
Availabilities: 2028/29 Season
Project Details
General Technical Requirements:
If outdoor - floor must be flat and clean / same for indoor space.
Required amount of time for tech set up: TBC
Other details about your work:
This is a new work, and will have more materials in late 2027.
Outreach Activities
Specific to work: Lecture/presentation on history of manila shawl.
Other: Contemporary/Movement workshop, Vogue workshop, and or Ballroom History lesson.