LA CULTURA DANCE CO.

La Cultura Dance Co. is the professional platform founded and directed by Emanuel “Manny” Chacon, dedicated to preserving and elevating the culture, rhythm, and movement of Reggaetón. What began as a small collective has evolved into a personal and purpose-driven endeavor that bridges artistry, education, and cultural storytelling. Through La Cultura, Manny channels his creative voice to honor the roots of Reggaetón while showcasing its connection to the African and Latin diasporas that shaped it.

Guided by the mantra “Pa’ La Cultura” (“For the Culture”), La Cultura’s mission is to blend dance styles and influences historically practiced by Latinx and African-American communities — including Afro-Caribbean, Hip Hop, Dancehall, House, and Body Percussion — to celebrate cultural diversity, educate audiences, and challenge stereotypes surrounding Reggaetón and its people. Each performance and workshop is crafted to inspire pride, awareness, and unity through rhythm and movement.

Founded in 2018, La Cultura Dance Co. has become a vehicle through which Manny shares over a decade of global performance experience and community engagement. Through workshops, school assemblies, stage performances, and cross-cultural residencies, La Cultura creates meaningful spaces where education and entertainment intersect.

Previous Partnerships and Projects Include:

• New Orleans Reggaetón Festival – New Orleans, LA (2018, 2019, 2022)

• Professional Workshop Series – New Jersey (2019), Philadelphia (2020), Virginia (2021)

• Art Museum Community Workshop Series – Philadelphia, PA (2020)

• Dorill Initiative – Community Partner (2020)

• Television Appearance on Despierta América (2021)

• University of Delaware – Professional Workshop Series (2021)

• I AM Phresh Studios – Philadelphia, PA (2021)

• Abundant Studios / National Harbor – National Harbor, MD (2021)

• Body Percussion & Step Workshops – Philadelphia Tap Festival (2023, 2024, 2025)

• Black History Month Assemblies – Downingtown School District, PA (2024, 2025)

• Latino Heritage Month Assemblies – Lower Merion School District, PA (2025)

• Latino Heritage Month “Lunch & Learn Series” – Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP, Wilmington, DE (2025)

Through La Cultura Dance Co., Manny continues to build bridges between communities, inviting audiences to experience the beauty of shared cultural expression. Whether on stage, in classrooms, or corporate spaces, his work embodies the heart of “Pa’ La Cultura” — for the culture, for the people, and for the movement.