on "Orientalism"
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Renowned Hong Kong dance company, CCDC, debuted its full-length, original work titled 365 Ways of Doing and Undoing Orientalism in New York City this evening (October 13, US time).
Presented by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York and the Hong Kong Association of New York, the companyˇ¦s performance met with thunderous applause at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College.
The performance followed the company's critically acclaimed performances representing Hong Kong in the month-long Kennedy Center Festival of China in Washington DC.
The theater was filled with notable personalities in the world of dance as well as dance lovers who had seen the glowing reviews and listings in such venerated newspapers as the New York Times and New York Magazine.
Journalists noted that founder and artistic director Willy Tsao's message made a cultural impact, which far outreached that of the typical dance companyˇ¦s.
Employing the very emblems of Chinese culture most identifiable to the West, the company poked fun at enduring Chinese stereotypes. The US audience was entranced from the haunting opening scene to the final section, which offered a glimpse into Eastern philosophy. They were awed by the graceful athleticism of the CCDC dancers, which was perfectly displayed by the mixture of contemporary and traditional dance.
A small reception was held after the performance; attendees included Martha Graham dancers and designer Cathy Hardwick. All the guests were excited to meet with choreographer Willy Tsao and congratulated him on a spectacular performance.
The company will give two more performances before returning to Hong Kong on Sunday.
Ends/Friday, October 14, 2005
Issued at HKT 12:10
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