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The internationally acclaimed City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) from Hong Kong had a successful performance at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theatre in San Francisco this evening (October 25, San Francisco time).
When officiating at the performance, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco Ms Doris Cheung told the full house audience that she was delighted to bring the artistic soul of Hong Kong, the city's best home-grown performing troupe to San Francisco.
"This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. I take great pride in presenting the City Contemporary Dance Company from Hong Kong to our friends in San Francisco Bay Area," she said.
"Many people know of Hong Kong as an international financial centre, a premier trading hub, a popular tourism destination, you name it. Tonight, we would like to showcase a different aspect of Hong Kong - our diverse and vibrant culture," she continued.
"There is always something happening in this Asia's World City - from classical music to Canto-pop, from experimental theatre to Chinese opera, from modern dance to jazz and blues. Every year, some 10,000 performances by local and overseas artists are presented to the audience in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a place where east meets west, a place where you will find people who are energetic, passionate and competitive," she added.
The Hong Kong Government is committed to promoting the development and appreciation of performing arts and culture. One important initiative to promote the arts and culture in Hong Kong is the development of the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD). WKCD is more than the physical construction of arts and cultural venues; it is also an integrated cultural district for all kinds of cultural entertainment programs. This investment will help realise the vision of making Hong Kong a true cultural metropolis.
CCDC, who earned its place amongst world-class dance companies, is actively promoting modern dance and contemporary culture. Every year the Company performs to an audience of around 100,000 in Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas.
"Since 1980, the Company has made 66 international tours in over 30 major cities. It comprises many talented choreographers and dancers from Hong Kong and Asia. Hong Kong and San Francisco are two equally vibrant and diverse cities, and our Office is thrilled to enhance cultural exchanges between these two cities," said Ms Cheung.
In addition to the well received performance at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theatre, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco also arranged for the Company to conduct a Master Class at the University of California, Berkeley Department of Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies. The students and faculty members who attended the class fully enjoyed the opportunity to share with the talented performers from Hong Kong.
Prior to the performance, the Office also hosted a press preview for the local media to meet the troupe and enjoy a short preview of "Silver Rain".
Ends/Friday, October 26, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:20
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