Taiwanese Dancers Offer Week of Color, Culture
Taiwanese student dancers visit Alma College in September for a weeklong cultural exchange culminating in a concert featuring classical and traditional Taiwanese dance along with Western-style ballet and jazz.
“This is a major cultural exchange,” says Carol Fike, director of dance at Alma College. “It will be a wonderful week of color, culture and collaboration with our students and the greater Alma community.”
The 31-member dance company from the Tainan University of Technology Dance Department will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23 in the Remick Heritage Center. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors 62 and up, and free for Alma College staff, students, and youth 18 and under. Seating is reserved. Call (989) 463-7304 for ticket information.
Taiwanese dancers: "Songs of the Flowers"
The dance troupe arrives Sept. 16 to spend 10 days with Alma College students and faculty, offering cultural presentations and dance workshops. They also will experience Alma College events, local and regional activities, including a welcome reception at the home of Alma College President Jeff Abernathy, plus shopping trips to Frankenmuth and Birch Run.
“This will be the first visit to America by these Taiwanese students,” says Fike. “As part of this cultural exchange, we have recruited host families who have agreed to house the 26 students and five teachers. The students have told us they want pancakes and pizza from the host families.”
Taiwanese dancers: "Watermarks"
The Sept. 23 concert will feature a combination of classical and traditional Taiwanese dance as well as Western disciplines like modern ballet and jazz.
“The performance will include live musical accompaniment plus gorgeous kimonos, scarves and costuming and beautiful dancing,” says Fike.
"Dances of the Aborigines"
Tainan University of Technology Dance Department, located in Yongkang City, Tainan County, Taiwan, trains professional dancers, fosters choreographers, teaches theories of both Chinese and western dances, and extends the social and educational functions of dance.
Posted: Wed, September 14th, 2011 at 8:01AM
