Chinese Folk Dance Celebrating St. Louis' Flourishing Cultural Diversity

	Presented by the Center for International Studies, Dr. Y.S. Tsiang Professorship in Chinese Studies, University of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL), the Chinese Culture and Education Foundation (CCEF) and the St. Louis Chinese American, the Chinese Folk Dance Company of the New York Chinese Culture Center had a great show on Wednesday, May 8, 2002, 8:00 PM at J.C. Penney Auditorium.  About 200 families and their children enjoyed watched the excellent performance of dancers, Peking Opera actors, and musicians.

	Founded in 1973, the New York Chinese Cultural Center is a community based arts organization that nurtures, teaches, and preserves the traditional Chinese performing arts for present and future generations of Chinese-Americans, while introducing Chinese dance, music, and visual arts to audiences throughout the United States. Through performances, workshops, lecture-demonstrations, classes, and recordings, NYCCC creates a focus for community pride and inspiration, builds bridges to other communities, and promotes knowledge and appreciation of Chinese arts and culture.

	The Chinese Folk Dance Company is the resident touring Company of NYCCC comprised of award-winning professional dancers and musicians. The Company brings the richness of traditional dance, Peking Opera and music to audiences across the country.

	On May 8 at UMSL, the Company presented Lion Dance, Peacock, Harvest Drum, Moonlit Spring Night over a River of Flowers, The Monkey King (Peking Opera Excerpt), Flying Aspires, Prairie Festival, Silk Clouds, At The Crossroads Inn (Peking Opera Excerpt), and Red Ribbon.  The Chinese instruments Erhu and Yangqin were also introduced and played by 2 musicians. Ms. Xuemei Chen, the host of the show, explained to the audience the gestures and movements of Chinese folk dance and Peking Opera.  She also taught audience to say Chinese "How" (means "good"), "Xie Xie ("thanks") and Cai Jen ("good-bye").  Audience enjoyed the show and say "How" many times to all performers.

	11 dancers from The Chinese Folk Dance Company, led by Xiaoliang Yang, Artistic Director, are on St. Louis stage. Ms. Xiaoliang Yang is a graduate of the Beijing Military Performing Arts Academy and a member of the Chinese Dancers Association. Arrived at New York from China, Ms. Yang is a teacher, a choreographer and a dancer. Her performances of classical and folk dances earned many top prizes in China's national dance competitions since 1986. She was invited to participate in the 1988 International Arts Festival in Hong Kong and performed "the Mural". In 1993, Her work as a choreographer was included in the "Dance Volume" of the publication 'Contemporary China'. In 1994, two of her students won first and third prizes in the fourth National "Tao-Li Cup" Dance Competition. Ms. Yang has performed and choreographed with the Chinese Folk Dance Company since 1995.

	The 05/08 Chinese folk Dance performance is one the 2002 season of the UMSL International Performing Arts Series.  This program invites outstanding artists from around the world perform live, sharing their rich cultural traditions and celebrating St. Louis'flourishing cultural diversity.