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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Sunshine, in collaboration with Asian Media Access, and Pan Asian Arts Alliance, opens Longing for Qeej, a Hmong dance drama, at Minnesota Fringe Festival, on August 8th/5:30pm, 9th/7pm, 11th /7pm, 13th/5:30pm and 14th/1pm, at University of MN, Raring Center Proscenium, 330 21st Ave S., Minneapolis campus. The production is an international collaboration among Asian-American artists including Mai Vang, a Hmong American Choreographer and Artist Director, Ange Hwang, a Chinese American writer, Kang Vang, a Hmong American Theater Director, with the Artists from China – Teng Li and Zou Mei from CHINA NATIONAL ACROBATIC TROUPE. Longing for Qeej is the traditional Hmong creation story of the Qeej (pronounced “kang”) instrument. Qeej is a bamboo and wooden mouth organ found throughout Eastern Asia, and is a traditional music instrument played by the Hmong people. The Qeej has six pipes of different lengths attached to a wooden air chamber, and is played in major holidays and ceremonies. |
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The story starts with Sinsay, a warrior, who married one woman from each of seven kingdoms. During a grand festival in Sinsay’s honor, the god of heaven demanded proof the women were each Sinsay’s wife. The result of Sinsay’s wives’ creation was the Qeej, an instrument made of seven pieces, and coming together in making one single voice. The instrument is itself a Hmong cultural icon. Hmong believe the Qeej’s rhythm, tone and melody can serve as a bridge between the natural and supernatural worlds. With much excitement in her voice, Artistic Director, Mai Vang explains the importance of retelling this folktale through dances: “I have learnt the story at very young age, and we have to remember all the name of each the 7 parts of Qeej, I always wondering – are the names of the pipes also the names of the wives? Do the pipes have discreet “voices” that are associated with the separate personalities of the wives? Of course, much details have been lost through oral tradition, therefore, I have decided to take this old legend adding on new twists – give all these 7 ladies a face, a personality, a special dance belonging to each one of them to enrich the folktale.” Minnesota Sunshine’s adaptation of the story combines narration, acrobatics and traditional Hmong dance. After multiple first-place finishes in local Hmong New Year dance competitions, this effort is a combination of a decade’s worth of award-winning dances in one show. Don’t miss this performance with centuries-old dances combined with elements from modern America. Longing for Qeej takes place at the University of Minnesota Rarig Center Proscenium stage at Minnesota Fringe Festival. Performances are: August 8th/5:30pm, 9th/7pm, 11th /7pm, 13th/5:30pm and 14th/1pm. $ 15 dollar/per ticket, with Fringe Button, various discounts applied. For more information, please check on: www.amamedia.org, www.minnesotasunshine.wordpress.com, or 612-376-7715. MN SUNSHINE INFO MN Sunshine Dance has been dancing together for the past 11 years, studied under Internationally renowned Hmong Choreographer – Mai Vang, they have focused on Hmong, Chinese, Laos, and Bollywood dance style. MN Sunshine has long history of winning the 1st place titles at many Hmong New Year Dance Competition. They are famous with their explosive physical capacities along with beautiful costume, and refreshing Asian music. |
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