Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company brings the global language of dance to the stage

Daily Sundial

March 10, 2010

By Stephanie Bermudez

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, which is one of the few Asian American professional dance companies in the USA, will be performing at the Plaza del Sol Performance Hall on Tuesday, March 16 at 8 p.m.

“The dances of Nai-Ni Chen fuse the dynamic freedom of American modern dance with the grace and splendor of Asian art,” said Pamela Bock director of marketing and strategic communications of the Valley Performing Arts Center. “ … Celebrating the diversity of ideas shaped by the immigrant experience, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company bridges the gap of understanding between East and West.”

Bock said recently the Company was honored by a distinctive grant award from both the President’s Committee on Arts and Humanities and the Department of State to represent the United States.

Choreographer and dancer Nai-Ni Chen is an artist whose work defies categorization, as she is continually working on new ideas from influences around the world.

“Her mesmerizing and dramatic contemporary choreography has gained increasing recognition among domestic and international presenters and festivals,” Bock said.

The dance company will be performing “Song of Phoenix,” which features original choreography of Nai-Ni Chen.

“The phoenix, known in both eastern and western cultures as an awe-inspiring creature of death- defying strength and majesty, represents the power and mystery of the feminine for the East and renewal for the West,” Bock said.

According to Bock, it brings together a seamless blend of ancient rituals and modern concepts in a unique repertoire.

“Gliding across the stage with color, lyricism and a subtle whisper of Chinese tradition … Nai-Ni Chen wishes to bring the audience on a flight through space and time to a place where tradition meets innovation and freedom arises from discipline,” Bock said.

Lena Ho, 26, says she has heard a lot of good things about the dance company and looks forward to seeing the performance. “I really enjoy watching live performances, especially from such talented artists,” said the creative writing major. “Being an Asian American myself, I’m excited to see what talent Nai-Ni Chen will bring to CSUN.”

Ho said she has already bought her ticket and plans to attend the performance with her boyfriend. “I try and take advantage of CSUN’s low ticket prices since I am about to graduate and won’t get the same discounts anymore,” Ho said.

Kathy Anthony, managing director of the performance hall believes the company will be a real treat for those who attend. “The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company is a visual treat,” said Anthony. “Their costumes and movement fuse two cultures beautifully in dance, and they have done this for many, many successful years,” Anthony said.

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company will be performing 8p.m, Mar.16, in the Plaza del Sol Performance Hall. For more information about the performance or to purchase tickets online visit www.arts.valleyperformingartscenter.org.