IF YOU'VE EVER seen the intricacy of Peruvian gourd carvings or the complex weaving patterns and sophisticated layering of colors in their textiles – not even to speak of their Inca inheritance – it'll come as no surprise that Peru also has a varied and rich dance and music culture. But it's only in the past decade or so that Peruvians in any numbers have migrated to the Bay Area, bringing with them dances that have been performed down at ocean level and high up in the Andes – dances that reflect Christian and African influences, colonial and indigenous customs. Two years ago dancer-choreographer-ethnologist Luis Valverde founded the Peruvian Dance Company, which made its distinguished debut at this year's Ethnic Dance Festival. Calling his choice of the 12 complementary dances Retablo, after the icons found in many South American homes and churches, he tells us that what he presents are images of a culture that deserves to be better known. 8 p.m., ODC Theater, 3153 17th St., S.F. $12. (415) 863-9834. (Rita Felciano)