Organised by Singapore Chinese Dance Theatre (SCDT), as part of its annual outreach initiatives, Chinese Dance Fiesta is back this year, bringing the vibrancy of Chinese dance to the community through a mix of online and onsite programmes on 23rd May and 30th May 2021. Programmed by Artistic Director Neo Jenny, this 2021 edition line-up includes an online dance performance, an online Talk and Demonstration session on Chaoxian Ethnic Dance and a Chinese Classical Fan dance masterclass facilitated by Founding Artistic Director Lim Moi Kim.
Chinese Dance Fiesta’s dance performances have been reprogrammed from a community touring performance to engage a broader mass digitally. The shift is a response to the positive reviews of its Mid-Autumn production in 2020 that were and first for SCDT to be hosted in the digital space due to the COVID-19 restrictions. The performance attracted new audiences different from its typical audience profile and extending its reach to epitomise the promotion of Chinese dance beyond Singapore.
This year performance showcases 6 distinct works, featuring guest performers from the 4 Singapore Chinese Dance Theatres’ dance troupe and local Chinese dance groups, Wu Yue Dance Studio Troupe, and students from LASALLE College of the Arts.
In seeking to nurture, inspire and grow the local Chinese dance professionals, Neo has been worked closely with students from the local arts institutions. This year, students from the Diploma in Dance of LASALLE College of the Arts will present their work “Phases – Within our control” in collaboration with Neo Jenny. This work expresses how our senses are rooted internally, transient through responses. Our mind maps out predictable patterns in our body. It engenders our senses, manipulates our thoughts into movements phases within our control.
Amongst the other dance works, performances to look forward to will be “In Search”, choreographed by SCDT’s dance artiste, Wong Zhuo Qin, as well as “Tranquillity” choreographed by SCDT’s Creative Director, Benedict Soh.
“In Search” is the first work created by Wong Zhuo Qin for SCDT. This choreography showcasesthe beauty of Tibetan dance, inspired by the poem Little Gidding of T. S. Eliot. Hear the beat of the drums while the dancers twirl and move with the melody of the Tibetan music.
“Tranquillity” has toured across several provinces in China, receiving recognition from the reviews for its brilliant use of the Chinese water sleeve. The choreography is inspired by the Chinese saying of “The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in hills” Benedict Soh creates the illusion where Chinese landscape art painting comes alive.
Both of these works will premiere on 30th May, 7.30pm on SCDT’s Facebook page.
Shao Ziwen, Deputy Head of Dance, Singapore Raffles Music College (Dance Faculty), will share with the audience about Chaoxian ethnic dance and how it is classified as a form of Chinese Dance during the online Talk and Demonstration session. The online Talk and Demonstration session will be streamed via SCDT’s Facebook page on 30th May 2021, 5:30 pm and made available for viewing till 30th June 2021.
Singapore Chinese Dance Fiesta’s performances will be streamed for free on SCDT’s Facebook Page on 30th May, 7.30pm, and will be available for viewing till 30th June 2021
Bakchormeeboy 
0 comments on “Preview: Chinese Dance Fiesta《一起舞 FUN 天》”