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Yunnan Elite Dance Company, Taipei Folk Dance Theatre and Ho Ho Chuen Dance Organizations (Hong Kong) will join to perform a dance programme "Back to the Earth" in late July.

Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the performance will feature some of the new works of Chinese ethnic dance, including "Praise of Buddhism" of Taipei Folk Dance Theatre, "Elephant-foot Drum Dance" of Yunnan Elite Dance Company, "Turning Prayer Wheels for Luck" of Ho Ho Chuen Dance Organizations, etc. Choreographers are Ho Ho Chuen, Tsai Li-hua, Tao Chun, Chiu Ming Chu and Siu Chi Ching.

Taipei Folk Dance Theatre, founded in 1988 by Professor Tsai Li-hua, is the first professional folk dance company in Taiwan. Its works are based on unique Taiwanese folk dances through in-depth research on local customs and culture while injecting new life into its productions. Since its establishment, the Company has toured over 40 countries in Europe, America, Asia and Africa and has won numerous top awards in international dance competitions.

Yunnan Elite Dance Company is formed from a group of young elite dancers, chosen by the Cultural Department of Yunnan from various ethnic groups in the province. Among its dancers are Yang Xukang of the Bai ethnicity (Best of the Ten Outstanding Young Dancers in China), Tao Chun of the Blang ethnicity (First Grade Award in the 1991 Nationwide Folk Dance Competition), as well as a strong array of premium dancers including a number of first class award holders in nationwide contests.

Ho Ho Chuen Dance Organizations, founded by Ho Ho Chuen in 1991, is committed to creating its own unique style. It has received numerous awards for its popular and critically acclaimed works. The Hong Kong Economic Journal hailed it as "the hope and promise of the rejuvenation of folk dance in Hong Kong".

"Back to the Earth" will be staged at 7.30pm on July 20 (Saturday) and 3pm at July 21 (Sunday) at Ko Shan Theatre. Tickets priced at $120, $100 and $80 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessions will be granted to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Please check out programme leaflets for other discount schemes.

For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7323; for ticketing enquiries and reservation, please call 2734 9009; for credit card telephone booking, please call 2111 5999; for internet booking, please visit www.urbtix.gov.hk. To search more information on internet, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp

End/Thursday, June 20, 2002

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