Our History

In April 1991, after realizing that their Culture was not represented at the multicultural festivals in Southern California, Victor Grimaldo and family members created Ballet Folklorico Viva Panama, and later, a group of Panamanians joined.  The organization began expanding its services in response to the need for greater exposure to Panamanian Culture.

Viva Panama Organization (VPO) is the merger of these services to meet the needs of the Southern California community and to provide a more comprehensive expression of the Culture of Panama.  The formal inauguration of the organization took place on August 15, 1991,  in Los Angeles, California.
 

Our organization had the privilege and pride of establishing the International Week of Panama in the County of Los Angeles in 2003, when we celebrated our Centennial at the Anson Ford Theatre.  Our organization is the primary cultural representative of our country in Central and Hispanic Associations in the Los Angeles area.

Viva Panama Organization (VPO) was established in 1991, incorporated on Aug. 3, 2012, in the state of California, and approved as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code on Nov. 13, 2013.  VPO has been promoting and sharing our country's cultural and artistic expressions in California and internationally for the past 35 years.

VPO is the main organization representing Panama among Central American and Hispanic associations in California, and over time, it has become one of the most respected, talented, and professional organizations in Los Angeles, often called "Cultural Ambassadors of Panama in California."  

MISSION

The mission of VPO is to preserve, present, and promote the many manifestations of the Culture of Panama, through its music, dances, traditions, literature, paintings, arts & crafts, cuisine, and its people to the multicultural population of the California area and the world.

VISION

We will distinguish ourselves as the Cultural Ambassadors who strive to provide the highest-quality sample of Panama's spirit and flavor, promoting Panama's image and culture to the world.  

Our dance company comprises talented individuals from diverse professional fields who enjoy sharing their culture through music and dance. Its main goal is to provide audiences with a high-quality sample of Panama's spirit and flavor. It is based on the belief that our customers' needs are of the utmost importance; our repertoire comprises original pieces approached with a contemporary vision, striving to preserve the originality and authenticity of the rhythms and movements of traditional dances. 

Our entire team is committed to meeting those needs and bringing forth the true spirit of the Panamanian people. Currently, Ballet Folklórico Viva Panama maintains a full performance schedule year-round throughout California, other states, and other countries. The company has performed in Texas, Nevada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, France, Monaco, and Italy.