Modern dance company H.T. Chen & Dancers visited Hamilton on July 18 to give a preview of "Bian Dan," the show they'll perform in October. Bian Dan gets its name from the Chinese word for the bamboo poles used to carry heavy loads, which figure prominently in the dance. The performance was presented by the Arts in Education Institute. Members of the local community were invited to perform in the show last week but also invited back for the full performance planned for Saturday, October 27 at 8 p.m. in Wellin Hall.
The contemporary dance using the bamboo poles representa the cultural burdens immigrants often bear. "Bian Dan" was inspired by H.T. Chen, artists from Chicago, Phoenix, and New York and local community members.
H.T. Chen & Dancers is a modern dance company that has created a Chinese-American expression by embodying the cultural heritage of bold nations. The company has enchanted audiences across the U.S., Europe and Asia. Their dynamic fusion of the spirited energy of American modern dance and the poise of traditional and contemporary Asian aesthetics is the outgrowth of Shanghai-born artistic director H.T. Chen's background in ballet, modern dance and traditional Chinese dance.
This presentation is a project of the Mohawk Valley Dance Partnership, which combines the talents and resources of three community partners: Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, Hamilton College and the Central New York Community Arts Council Arts in Education Institute.
