Katy’s report at World Journal (日報): Splendid performance by Beijing Dance Company (北京舞蹈團)

Katy’s dispatch reporting the news of a splendid performance by the Beijing Dance Company at Pittsburgh on November 15 was published at World Journal (世界日報) on November 17.

You may read the online version of Katy’s report at the World Journal (世界世界世界世界世界日報)

http://www.worldjournal.com/view/wjnjpanews/16465024/article-%E5%8C%97%E4%BA%AC%E8%88%9E%E5%9C%98%E5%B7%A1%E6%BC%94-%E3%80%8C%E5%8D%83%E6%89%8B%E8%A7%80%E9%9F%B3%E3%80%8D%E5%90%B8%E7%9D%9B?instance=nj2

The Beijing Dance Academy Dancing Company (also known as Beijing Dance Company, 北京舞蹈團), the most prestigious and renowned in China, is currently touring four cities in American East Coast.  After the debut at Boston on November 12 and 13, it had a splendid performance at Pittsburgh on Nov. 15.

Next stops will be at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Nov. 17-19) at Washington, D.C. and at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (Nov. 23, 25 & 26) at NYC.  This is the first time that Beijing Dance Company visits the East Coast, aiming to promote cultural exchanges between the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America.  The Chinese Americans or ethnic Chinese represent only 10-15% of the audience at Pittsburgh, partly may be due to the publicity issue among the Chinese American community.  It is hoped that the attendance by the ethnic Chinese will increase in Washington, D.C. and the New York City. This is truly a dancing performance one doesn't want to miss.

令人叫絕的「千手觀音」(The Thousand Hands of Bodhisattva)。（圖：北京舞蹈團提供, provided by Beijing Dance Co.)

WQED and Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh are the official media sponsor for the performance at Pittsburgh. During the pre-show lecture, the deputy director of the Beijing Dance Co., Xu Hang, (副團長徐航) stated that about 50 top professional dancers and Beijing Dance Academy students are chosen for the American Tour.  The reputation of their arduous and disciplined practice is well known.  It is a majestic show blending the traditional, classical and contemporary Chinese dancing art; the audience are thoroughly pleased and amazed.

The Beijing Dance Company was founded in 1987 and has quickly emerged as a powerhouse in the Chinese dance scene.  It is associated with the historic Beijing Dance Academy (founded in 1954), China’s only professional accredited institution of higher education in dance. 

The American East Coast Tour boasts many magnificent dances that include Emperor Qin’s Soldiers (秦王點兵) and Flying Fairy (飛天), choreographed by Chen Weiya (陳維亞) of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics fame; The Butterfly Lovers (梁山伯與祝英台) and The Spirit of Bamboo (蘭亭修竹), choreographed by the renowned Zhang Jamming (張建民) of the opening scene of the House of Flying Daggers fame.  The new generation choreographers, such as 張羽軍 and 姚勇 whose work of modern dance, The Yellow River, is adapted from a famous musical.

舞蹈「梁三伯與祝英台」(The Butterfly Lovers)。（圖：北京舞蹈團提供 provided by Beijing Dance Co.)

In addition, the stunning The Thousand Hands of Bodhisattva (千手觀音) and 踏鼓相和歌 add the magic and splendor to the program.  The superb and graceful dancing skill, the bright and colorful costumes, the elegant and pleasing music, all the splendor, pomp and color earn high praise from the audience who are left with an unforgettable memory of the vivid imagery that will be cherished for years to come.

After the performance at Pittsburgh, the Beijing Dance Company left for Washington D.C. where there will be four performances beginning November 17 and another four performances at New York City beginning November 23.  This American East Coast Tour was made possible by the coordinated effort of Chinus Cultural Productions, China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG) and various Chinese official cultural departments.  A special thank to Robert Russo for his dedication, perseverance and steadfast belief in this project.  For more details please visit www.beijingdance.com  (Katy Tsai, 張瓊月)

北京舞蹈團部分舞者與觀眾合影。(Dancers with the audience)（張瓊月／攝影, photographed by Katy Tsai)

(The following is Katy’s dispatch)

北京舞團巡演 「千手觀音」吸睛

【賓州匹茲堡訊】 世界新聞網 北美華文新聞、華商資訊

November 17, 2011 06:00 AM 

在中國舞蹈界頗享盛譽的北京舞蹈學院舞團（簡稱北京舞蹈團），目前正在舉行2011年美東四大城市巡演，15日從波士頓轉來匹茲堡獻藝。

這次巡演是舞團首次亮相首都華盛頓甘乃迪表演藝術中心和紐約林肯表演藝術中心，也是北京舞蹈團初訪匹茲堡，旨在中美文化交流。匹茲堡的美國人觀眾約占85%以上，華裔觀眾出席率並不高。主辦單位希望接下去的華府和紐約兩地，有較多華裔觀賞。

匹茲堡地區的表演，由WQED教育電視台和溫翰旅館（Wyndham Grand）贊助表演。副團長徐航開幕前與觀眾見面時表示，這次訪美挑選頂尖舞者與學生共50人，每天練習五小時，帶來膾炙人口的中國古典和現代舞蹈專場。

北京舞蹈團1987年成立，迅速崛起成為中國舞蹈界一支勁旅。

在這次巡演中，美東觀眾除了可以欣賞到編導陳維亞的經典作品「秦王點兵」和「飛天」，以及著名編導張建民的「蘭亭修竹」與「梁山伯與祝英台」等，還有新一代編導張羽軍、姚勇根據冼星海著名音樂改編的現代舞蹈「黃河」等。

此外，令人叫絕的「千手觀音」、「踏鼓相和歌」等也十分耀眼。演出者舞藝精湛，服飾亮麗，音樂優雅，留給觀眾難忘的舞姿儷影，大家讚不絕口。

北京舞蹈團結束匹茲堡演出後，17日將前往首都華盛頓，最後一場將於23日在紐約表演。這次美東巡演，是由美國中美文化創意公司和中國對外文化集團聯手推出，詳情可上網 www.beijingdance.com 。（張瓊月)

Flying Fairy (provided by Beijing Dance Co.)

Emperor Qin's Soldiers (provided by Beijing Dance Co.)

Butterfly Lovers (provided by Beijing Dance Co.)