APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JULY 5th

Related Documents Download:
Competition Registration Form
Competition Rules, English
Competition Rules, Chinese

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

The series is
Traditional – 傳
Legendary – 奇
Stylish – 風
Classical – 雅

2012 welcomes the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese New Year, and we are preparing four events to help bring in the festive celebrations!

Fenmo – Beauty of Acrobatics

Time: Dec. 16 (Fri) 7:30pm and Dec. 17 (Sat) 7:30pm
Location:
Burnsville Performing Arts Center
12600 Nicollet Avenue
Burnsville, MN 55337
Regular Price:
VIP: $50 with Premiere Seating and Event Booklet
Adult: $30
Children 12 and under, Senior 65 and above $23

Tickets:
In person at the BPAC Box Office;
via Ticketmaster at 800-982-2787 or its web site;
or via TravelZoo.

Ticket prices include facility fees. Additional service charges and handling fees may apply.

100-min non-stop excitement  – “Fenmo – Beauty of the Acrobatics”, produced by China Wuqiao Acrobatic Troupe – the birthplace of the Chinese Acrobatic.  The Show will include many spectacular acrobatic acts like: Lion Dance, Bench Stacking, Juggling, Air Acrobatics, Flower Pot Stacking, Changing Faces, Rolling Lanterns, Straw Hat Juggling, Hoop Jumping, and Martial Arts.

You don’t want to miss this true authentic Chinese Acrobatic show – Fenmo!!

Fenmo Information and tickets information at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center web site. >>

Year of Dragon Celebration

Time: Dec. 18th (Sun) noon – 5pm
Location:
The Great Hall
180 East Fifth Street,
St. Paul, MN 55101

Regular Price:
FREE admission for the festivity performances, additional charges for children games and food

Celebrate the once of life time as “Water Dragon” year, with non-stop wonders of acrobatic and dance performances, along with Chinese story-telling, calligraphy, movies, craft makings, carnival games, and Chinese costume try-on, the whole day would be a real authentic festival in Chinese style.

Dance of Joy

Location:
O’Shaughnessy Auditorium
2004 Randolph Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55105-1750

Date: Jan. 14 (Sat), 7pm and Jan. 15 (Sun), 2pm

Regular Price:
Adult: $18

Tickets:
Email tccdc.dance@gmail.com, or call 651-246-5735 or 612-386-0683

Twin Cities Chinese Dance Center presents a special 100-min performance to celebrate the Chinese New Year, the show features the dances of diverse cultural groups from ethnic minorities in China.  It emphasize the evolving nature of the dance arts into more modern forms, at the times exploring an “Tradition Meets Innovation” motif and the myriad of influence that people from these regions have on the Chinese dance genre and culture.

Chinese Lantern Carnival

Time: Feb. 5^th, 2012 (Sun) 2pm – 7pm
Location:
The Great Hall
180 East Fifth Street,
St. Paul, MN 55101

Regular Price:
FREE admission for the festivity performances, additional charges for children games and food

As a closing ceremony for the Lunar New Year series, the Chinese Lantern Carnival will have lantern making, “Guessing lantern riddles” game, which is an essential part of the Festival. Additionally, we will give away 500 lanterns to recreate such lanterns marching scene at St Paul downtown, children with lanterns will parade from the Great Hall to the Mears Park, and hanging their lanterns up to make the Dragon shape, to welcome the Dragon New Year – 2012.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ange Hwang
Phone: 612-376-7715
Email: angehwang@amamedia.org

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.  

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.

There are total 22 Dance troupes will compete for the Best Asian Traditional Dance and Best Modern Dance Titles. Each group is required to perform 2 dances to showcase their talents, and they will be judged by:

• Cultural relevance: Dance style and music show the native dance and must reflect the culture.
• Choreography: How well and thought out the performance is and how creative is it?
• Technical skills: Is the group on beat? Are their movements precise and synchronized? Correct position and steps are executed?
• Group cohesion: Are they together? How does group formation look?
• Costumes and appearance: Do they represent dance style?
• Overall Impression: How does the group perform with energy and spirit? Are they having a good time? Facial expressions reflecting the mood of the dance. Engaging with the audience.

   Please join us for the Final performance at 5/29 (Sun) 1:30 – 4:30pm, a great opportunity for enjoying a high quality performance presented by the top Pan Asian dance teams. Only $5 per ticket. For more nformation, please contact: paaa@amamedia.org, 612-376-7715 or http://www.burnsvillepac.com/event-calendar/view/287/70

please join us for a whole day fun at May 29th (Sun) starting at 9am

• Location: Burnsville Performing Arts Center.
• Free admission for 9am – noon for the 1st Dance Competition
• $5 admission with Audience Vote Ballot for 1:30 – 4:30pm for the 2nd Dance Competition and Performance

A BIG success for the 1st ever Pan Asian Arts Festival at May 1st, 2011

      Led by Pan Asian Arts Alliance, local Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) arts groups have come together to host first ever – Pan Asian Arts Festival, Part I: Festival/Asian Style, at May 1st, from Noon – 5pm, at Landmark Center – a Family Day Celebration of May Asian Heritages. About fifteen hundred people attended and enjoyed five hours of fun, full of events with Asian Story telling, Cultural dances, Chinese Music Ensemble, Asian food, popular Bubble tea, Henna body tattoo, face paintings, carnival games, and much more.

      There were at total of 21 dances from 15 different dance academies, and 3 well known Story Tellers. Vietnamese Story Teller – Phước Thị Minh Trần took the spot light and shared a Vietnamese folktale. Mrs. Tran has shared her experiences and knowledge of Vietnamese culture at various cultural events, storytelling programs, libraries, colleges, and schools throughout the state. We also heard two more great stories from Indian Story Teller Bilquis Dairkee, and Karen Story Teller Eh Taw Dwe.

      Modern Indian Dance Academy R.G.K. Dance & Fitness Studio opened up the Dance Performance around 12:30pm, RGK combines Indian, classical, music fused with contemporary western dances. First part was the dance depicting victory theme, and another dance depicting the love theme. Followed by MN Chinese Dance Theater, danced to “Yun Yang Castanets”, founded in 1992 by Ms. Tianjiang Cui. Minnesota Chinese Dance Theater (MCDT) is a community-performing group of 20 dancers ages range from 6 to 60. The Sumunar Dance Ensemble performed a blend of classical court dances, folk dances incorporating the martial arts, and new Choreographies using traditional and modern movements. Beautiful masks and vibrant costumes relate the stories told by the dancers and musicians as they danced to “Panen Dance”.

      Heroes, Rainbow, and Hmong Baby Dolls Dance Groups, choreographed by well-known Dance Teacher Mai Vang and Teacher Jennie Vang. Heroes, an every energetic and all-boys dance group, danced to a drum dance, “Warrior”. Their second routine, “Country Boys”, depicted the days of Hmong boys meeting up to learn kung fu for self-defense. Both Rainbow Dance and Hmong Baby Dolls, wearing traditional Hmong costume danced beautifully along with their folk music.

      Hoang Anh Vietnamese Dance Group performed to “Don Xuan”. They have been performing for the past 8 years at various cultural festivals and events throughout the Twin Cities with the purpose of helping promote and preserve the Vietnamese culture through song and dance.

      Later the show turned the focus to North Asian with the “Doll Dance (or Puppet Dance)” and “Fan Dance”, performed by Mu Gung Hwa Korean Dance Academy, which illuminates the Korean culture. One of the traditional games during the Korean Lunar Year festival is dramatized in this Doll Dance. Each participant makes and decorates a beautiful Korean doll. Then she manipulates the doll she has made, puppet fashion, in the various movements of the dance. Here, the Mu Gung Hwa dancers actually become the dolls and give their interpretation of this ancient Puppet Dance of the New Year. Another traditional dance – Fan Dance, widely regarded as the most unique Korean traditional dance, this splendid dance with luxurious dresses and brilliant fans of painted blossoms illustrates the beauty of vivid colors and the harmony of group movements.

      Twin Cities Chinese Dance Center danced to “The Little Girls with Penguins” and Choreographed by Huanru Zhang. These adorable penguins and playful little girls are having such a good time playing together! This light-hearted dance encourages all of us to protect the environment in order to continue the harmony between humans and nature. The Japanese dance group Sansei Yonsei Kai was formed over 35 years ago, and continues the long-standing tradition of the Japanese American community in the Twin Cities. Made up of multicultural dancers, Sansei Yonsei Kai fosters the understanding and awareness of Japanese culture through the recreation and presentation of traditional and contemporary ethnic dances. They performed two folk dances – “Sukiyaki” and “Fuji”.

      Cultural Society of Filipino-Americans Dance Troupe danced to two songs, each connected to the other, “Cordillera Festival Dance” and “Ragragsakan”. The Cultural Society of Filipino-Americans (CSFA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve, promote, and share valued Filipino custom and traditions through cultural, educational, social, and philanthropic activities.

      From Bhutanese Dance Group, Renuka Humagai and Shara Motey, danced to “Mati Ghar”. The song is about the time after the couple getting married, they will go to the husband’s house, but the home of his parents’ house is at “mati ghar”.

      Moonlight and Fireflies Dance Groups, are made up Hmong girls ages of 9 to 13 years old. They come from Dao Lan Dance School, which tailored to the Hmong community and opened to students of all ages and sexes, consists of approximately 80 students or 6 classes ranging from ages 6 to 45 years old.

      Last but not least, with over 40 dancers, Karen Cultural Organization of MN performed rapturous to “Karen Done Dance” and “Karen Traditional Dance”, with live music and drum. The Festival/Asian Style ended with the Music Performance by the MN Chinese Music Ensemble, with the theme of “100 Years of Journey:  Remember the Past, Honor the Present, Celebrate the Future”. The music ensemble has been carefully selected for music pieces that were composed at specific times or that reflect significant events from various eras during the past 100 years. 

      This May 1st Festival/Asian Style event kicks off a month-long celebration of the May Pan Asian Heritage Month. The following events include:

• Part II (May 29th at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, from 1:30 – 4:30pm): Pan Asian Dance Festival, a 2-day dance event at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, featuring the top talents from local Pan Asian Dance troupes.
• Part III (May 1st to June 13th at Landmark Center): Photo Exhibition, 100 Years of Chinese American History in MN, from 1911- 2011.

      This unique project is sponsored by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund from MN State Arts Board (which that was created by a vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov., 2008.), City of St Paul’s Cultural Star Grant, and Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC), with a Special Thanks to all our Advisory Committee. Asian Media Access, Dao Lan Dance Studio, Hoang Anh Vietnamese Dance Group, MN Sunshine Dance, MN Ocean Dance, Mu Gung Hwa Korean Dance Group, Pan Asian Story-Tellers Assn., Sansei Yonsei Kai Japanese Children and Adult Dance Group, and Sumunar Indonesian Dance Ensemble, c/o Indonesian Performing Arts Association of Minnesota.

CSFA

The Cultural Society of Filipino-Americans (CSFA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve, promote, and share valued Filipino custom and traditions through cultural, educational, social, and philanthropic activities. The CSFA Dance Troupe is family-oriented, dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Filipino culture through Philippine folk dances with weekly folk dance lessons and regular performances in community and local gatherings. The CSFA Dance Troupe participates in numerous diversity programs and Asian festivals within the Twin Cities and neighboring counties including the Festival of Nations, Drum & Dance Festival, and Dragon Festival.

Hoang Anh Vietnamese Dance Group

The Hoang Anh Vietnamese Dance Group has been performing for the past 8 years at various cultural festivals and events throughout the Twin Cities with the purpose of helping promote and preserve the Vietnamese culture through song and dance.

MCDT

Founded in 1992 by Ms. Tianjiang Cui, Minnesota Chinese Dance Theater (MCDT) is a community performing group of 20 dancers age from 6 to 60. It prides its mission to bridge the East and the West by bringing renowned dance instructors form China to the US to teach the most authentic Chinese dances to the members of MCDT. The members then further spread this cultural learning through artistic presentation of the dances to audience within the Twin Cites.

Mu Gung Hwa Korean Dance Academy

Mu Gung Hwa Korean Dance Academy is a small dance school in the northwestern Minneapolis suburb of Osseo, MN. The group welcomes anyone who is interested in learning about the rich culture and history of Korean dance and drumming. Our teacher, Mrs. Eun Hye Lee, has been teaching dance since 1989. She has a degree in traditional Korean dance from Han Yang University in Seoul. She instills in her students a great love of Korean dance, art and music.

Mulan

Mulan consists of Hmong girls between the ages of 9 to 13 from Dao Lan Dance School. They have danced together as a group for two years now. Our Mission is to empower Hmong youths to reach their fullest potential by building self-confidence through dancing. Our Vision is self-appreciation, cultural awareness, and a well-balanced healthy lifestyle. It is our hope that the skills and lessons learned through dancing will guide the youths through their personal and professional lives.

Modern Indian Dance Academy R.G.K. Dance & Fitness Studio

Modern Indian Dance Academy R.G.K. Dance & Fitness Studio is the first dance Academy in the Minneapolis area to offer classes in the exhilarating and beautiful Bollywood dance styles of India for all ages. This eclectic dance combines Indian, classical, music fused with contemporary western dances. Modern Indian Dance Academy R.G.K. Dance & Fitness Studio is committed to help the community through the teaching of modern Indian dance & art.

SUMUNAR Indonesian Music and Dance Ensemble

Sumunar means a glowing, brilliant light–one that is radiant and beautiful, and one that illuminates and warms the soul. Dedicated to teaching, performing and sharing the arts and culture of Indonesia, Sumunar invites you to be a part of the luminous light. Whether you’re enjoying a concert or taking a gamelan class, our goal is to share the rich sounds, stories and traditions of Indonesia with you in an open and relaxed environment. Sumunar is a among the Twin Cities’ cultural treasures, one that can be enjoyed by all ages. The Sumunar Dance Ensemble performs frequently with the Sumunar Gamelan Ensemble and also independently, showcasing the graceful, traditional dances of Indonesia. The ensemble performs a blend of classical court dances, folk dances incorporating the martial arts, and new Choreographies using traditional and modern movements. Beautiful masks and vibrant costumes relate the stories told by the dancers and musicians.

Sansei Yonsei Kai, Japanese dance group

The Japanese dance group Sansei Yonsei Kai continues the long-standing tradition of the Japanese American community in the Twin Cities. Sansei Yonsei Kai was formed over 35 years ago. All members are volunteers committed to the Japanese tradition of dance. Our dancers perform at many festivals and celebrations in the Twin cities as well as educational programs such as the Festival of Nations, Como Park Lantern Lighting Festival, Dragon Festival and the MN State Fair. Our group of multicultural dancers fosters the understanding and awareness of Japanese culture through the recreation and presentation of traditional and contemporary ethnic dance.

Twin Cities Chinese Dance Center

Established in 2002, the Twin Cities Chinese Dance Center (“TCCDC”) is a non-profit performing arts and educational organization founded with the goal of promoting the understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture. Our activities are designed to preserve traditional Chinese genres of performing arts and nurture innovations that reflect the dynamic and diverse Chinese cultural heritage.

Rainbow Dance Group “Flower Dance”

Rainbow Dance group consists of dancers ages 8 to 12 years old with Teacher Mai Vang.

Bhutanese Dancer Group

The dancers names are Renuka Humagai and Shara Motey. The song they will be dancing to, Mati Ghar, is about the time after they get married, they go to husband’s house, but the home of his parents’ house is “mati ghar”.

Heros “Warriors”

Heros, is the only all-boys, dance group with Dance Teacher Mai Vang and Teach Jennie Vang at Asian Media Assess organization. The dance they will be performing is a drum dance. It is meant to be dance at festivals for blessings and at New Year parties to welcome the New Year. The drum dance(s) are known for the performers’ preciseness in dancing and in the powerful beats they make with the drums. However in this dance, the dancers will only be using drum sticks.

Moonlight Dance Group

Moonlight is part of the 6 dance groups from Dao Lan Dance School. Moonlight Dancers ranges from ages 10 to 13 years old.

Fireflies Dance Group “Blue Hat Dance”

Fireflies, from Dao Lan Dance School, consists of ages 6 to 11 years old. Tailored to the Hmong community and opened to students of all ages and sexes, Dan Lan Dance School consists of approximately 80 students or 6 classes ranging from ages 6 to 45 years old.

Hmong Baby Dolls “Va Dance”

Hmong Baby Dolls consists of dancers ages 6 to 11 years old. Their dance group is the beginning class with dance teacher and choreographer Mai Vang at Asian Media Access non-profit organization.

Karen Cultural Organization of MN

• Saymoukda Vongsay (Laos Story teller)
• Eh Taw Dwe (Karen storyteller)
• Bilquis Dairkee (India storyteller)
• Phuoc Thi Minh Tran (Vietnamese Story teller)
• Ping Hua (Chinese Story teller)