Asian Arts & Culture Program highlights China and Japan in Spring 2005

February 18 at 7:30 PM Fine Arts Center Concert Hall

The Dances of China: A Journey of 5,000 Years

“Powerhouse men steal the show… from the acrobatic cartwheels and martial arts-style moves of Xing Jiu Liu in Lantern Festival to sword wielding to earthy animalistic prowess of in Cradle on Cow’s Back, the audience can see why CPAA dancers excel”.

You are invited to celebrate the Chinese New Year (Year of the Rooster) with members of the Chinese Performing Artists of America (CPAA) who will present a scintillating and exciting performance of Chinese dances, acrobatics and music on February 18 at 7:30 PM in the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall.

Drawn from a history of 5,000 years and 56 ethnic nationalities populating the vast Chinese landscape, the first act of the performance will feature minority dances such as the Lantern FestivalMa-Ying Blossoms, Courting, and others. The second act will present a dramatic interpretation of the mythological tale of the Dragon King, filled with exciting swordplay, acrobatic feats, and the famed Celestial Dragon dance. It is family entertainment at its best, and one not to be missed.

The Dances of China is produced by the Chinese Performing Artists of America (CPAA), the only company on the West Coast with the expertise and artistic resources to present authentic, high quality performances and teaching programs that serve over 40,000 audience members annually. Founded in 1991, CPAA is a unique institution serving multiple roles by educating people about the depth, diversity and richness of Chinese culture through a vast repertoire of classical and folk dances, music, martial arts, acrobatics, and Peking opera. At the same time, their performances are highly entertaining and include contemporary magic acts by local resident Chinese artists.

Under the artistic direction of award winning choreographer Yong Yao, CPAA features a corps of well-trained dancers, as well as many guest dancers and teachers directly from the dance academies in China. Guest choreographer Master Peiwu Zhou is nationally certified as a first rank choreographer and recognized in China as an authority in the dance arts of ethnic minorities. Master Zhou has done years of fieldwork in Yunnan province, collecting and preserving dances in the southern corner of China that borders Laos, Burma and Vietnam. Ann Woo, Executive Director, is a pioneer in presenting Chinese performing arts to the American public. With such distinguished leaders, the Chinese Performing Artists of America is truly a unique Asian arts institution.

Education Partnerships excel at Asian Arts & Culture Program

The core of the Asian Arts & Culture Program is a focus on education through the arts. Continuing an enduring eight year long partnership with the Springfield Schools Foreign Language Program in Chinese, the Asian Arts & Culture Program will bring the artists of The Dances of China: A Journey of 5,000 Years to three Springfield Schools (High School of Science and Technology, Chestnut Street School and Van Sickle) for residency activities involving several hundred school children on February 17, 2005. The Chinese language teachers, Dr. Mei-Ju Hwang and Katherine Chang (with support from Dr. Carmen Felix- Fournier, Director, Springfield Schools Foreign Program,) have planned the educational components of this residency according to the curriculum needs of the classes. Following the residency, over 1500 school children in western Massachusetts will attend a special school performance of The Dances of China at the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall on February 18 at 10 AM.

For more information about The Dances of China performances or residency please call the Asian Arts & Culture Program office at 413-577-2486 For the best seats in the house, make sure to get tickets early at the Fine Arts Center Box Office by calling 1-800-999-UMAS or 1-413-545-2511