By Nicole Fitzgerald
What: Chen Ling Dance – Kung Hei Fat Choy
When: Saturday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m.
Where: MY Millennium Place
Tickets: $25/$22.50
The Chen Ling Academy of Dance will weave a cultural exchange between Canada and China in their upcoming performance of Kung Hei Fat Choy on Saturday, Feb. 24 at MY Millennium Place as part of the Real Canadian in Whistler series.
“In China, there are 56 different minority groups, each with their own style that distinguishes them,” said Chen Ling, artistic director of the Chen Ling Academy. “In this performance, we have chosen a variety of minorities so that the viewers can experience a wide range of different styles of dance through costumes, music and movements.”
Eighteen dancers, many of them touting more than 10 years of performance experience, will perform a series of classical, folk and modern Chinese dance adorned in traditional costume — many custom-made in Beijing.
Only operating for five years, the dance academy has already won numerous awards honouring their talent and dedication to promoting the art of Chinese dance in Canada. The troupe of dancers ranging from high school students to adults has won competitions such as the North America Dance Competition, Surry Dance Festival and West Pacific Dance Festival. Accolades included Best of Show, Highest Overall Score, Best Folk Dance and Best Potential Dancer.
Some recent performances have included Peace on Earth, Spirit of B.C. Week in Burnaby and Dragon Dance — the first Chinese dance drama ever produced in Vancouver. The company was also honoured as the first traditional Chinese dance group in Canada to participate in the prestigious New Performance Works Series.
Celebrate the Chinese New Year with dance. Tickets are $25 for adults and $22.50 for students and seniors.
For tickets, call 604-935-8410 or visit ticketmaster.ca.
