H.T. Chen & Dancers is an innovative modern dance company which has created its own uniquely Asian-American expression. Infusing Western modern dance with the strength and beauty of Asian aesthetics, the company’s dynamic style has enchanted audiences across the United States, Europe and Asia since 1978.
The company will be in Buffalo March 7 to 12 to work with students and adults in Buffalo public and private schools on the dance repertory of H.T. Chen as well as Chinese-American cultural issues relevant to his work.
The residency will culminate with a performance by H.T. Chen & Dancers at 7 p.m. on March 12 at the Flickinger Performing Arts Center, Nichols School, 1250 Amherst St., Buffalo (corner of Colvin and Amherst). The featured work, titled “South of Gold Mountain,” draws from rich oral histories and documented experiences of Chinese settlers before World War II who were lured to the U.S. by the promise of a better life for succeeding generations. Also on the program is “Mountain,” a contemporary work based on Tai-Chi and the martial arts which uses dancers from the Buffalo community.
The performance includes company members Kelly Butterworth, Dian Dong, Ezra Goh, Torrey McAnena, Sean Nederlof, Ari Someya and Keyasha Williams-Bailey; choreography by H.T. Chen and Dian Dong; sound design by James Lo; lighting design by Kelly Maurer and costume design by Caprice Esser.
Tickets are now available for $15 general admission and may be purchased from www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2499771.
The H.T. Chen & Dancers residency is made possible by Pick of the Crop Dance, with support from the New York State DanceForce, New York State Council on the Arts, UB Confucius Institute, and Nichols School.
Additional Info: H.T. Chen & Dancers (est. 1978) is a NYC-based touring modern dance company dedicated to the creation of innovative works and offering quality educational programming. Pick of the Crop Dance, a contemporary concert dance company based in Buffalo, N.Y., brings together dancers, musicians and the visual arts. Founded in Los Angeles, Calif. in 1979 by choreographer-dancer Elaine Gardner, Pick of the Crop Dance creates new works which celebrate and further the art form of contemporary dance. Their mission is to produce and promote excellence in contemporary dance through community performances, educational programs and the training of young dancers.
The New York State DanceForce is a consortium of dance activists committed to increasing the quantity and quality of dance activity throughout New York State. Their mission is to bring together their members and other regional dance organizers to discuss challenges, share ideas, view new work and exchange information relevant to the field.
The UB Confucius Institute supports China-related research and artistic production at UB, Chinese language teaching at UB and in local K-12 schools, and cultural events that foster a better understanding of Chinese traditions and contemporary culture in the community.
Nichols School is a nationally-recognized college preparatory coed independent school with a 124-year history. Nichols is a place where passions are nurtured and intellects are sharpened. Their small, rigorous, classes are led by talented faculty who love what they teach and know their students personally.
