[PhiladelphiaDANCE.org Listserv] Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers Concert

[kyl Dancers]

Dear Dance Lovers & Friends of Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers --

Please join KYL/D for an intimate performance in our brand-new 50-seat
movement arts center in South Philly on *Saturday, June 21 at 7:30pm.*  It
will be an up close & personal evening of sharing our artistry before we
depart in July for the Interlochen Arts Festival in Michigan.

Our concert, entitled "Prayer for Peace", will include a restaged version of
 "Chi", a tsunami/global warming-inspired piece entitled "Emptiness of
Snow", "The Land of Lost Content", KYL/D's signature work inspired by the
struggles and enduring strength of the Tibetan people that is offered as a
prayer for peace in anticipation of the Summer Olympics in Beijng, and a
special performance by Kun-Yang of his trademark solo, "Dedication," which
he created following the sudden death of his father.

VENUE:  CHI Movement Arts Center, 1316 South Ninth St. (between Wharton &
Reed, just south of Pat's & Geno's Cheese Steak Corner), Philadelphia
19147.  Subway:  Federal/Ellsworth; Bus:  M47.

TICKETS:  $20.00; ($15.00 for Seniors & Students with valid i.d.).  *Please
call 215.922.1921 (or you may simply reply to this email) to reserve your
tickets, as seating is limited.*

 For more information, please see below.

*******************************************

*PRESS RELEASE*
For more information:  Ken Metzner, Executive Director, 215.922.1921 or
Kyldphilly at gmail.com

PHILADELPHIA – The critically-acclaimed Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers (KYL/D), one of
Pennsylvania's only Asian American contemporary dance companies, is pleased
to announce an intimate performance of its striking East-West mixes at CHI
Movement Arts Center, the Company's new home, on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at
7:30pm.

Known for his *"distinctive blend of traditional and Western dance [that]
has the dark, bold force of a woodcut print" *(*New York Times*), Kun-Yang
Lin's choreography is widely acclaimed by critics and audiences throughout
the United States, Asia and Mexico. His artistry promises to *"transport…us
back to the beginning of humanity and the wellspring of our beings"* (*
Backstage*) and has been described as *"deeply spiritual, remarkable."
(Dance Magazine)*.

 In his groundbreaking, contemporary works, Lin has developed a personal
movement language that is an unexpected hybrid of Western and Eastern
cultures.  Lin draws upon varied influences from his native Taiwan, such as
calligraphy, martial arts, tai chi and traditional Chinese dance movements,
yet expresses these impulses in a thoroughly contemporary way, borne of his
extensive performance experience worldwide. KYL/D has recently performed at
The Festival Internacional de Danza in Queretaro, Mexico, Kaatsbaan
International Dance Center, Columbia Festival of the Arts in Maryland,
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in Massachusetts, in Philadelphia at The
Annenberg Center and The Painted Bride Arts Center and in New York City at
The Japan Society, The Mulberry Street Theatre, The Abrons Art Center/Henry
Street Settlement, Queens Theatre as part of Asian Cultural Festival and
Dancing on the Plaza as part of Dancing in the Streets Festival.

The KYL/D company consists of seven dancers: Jillian Harris, Kun-Yang Lin,
Kimberly Miller, Scott McPheeters, Olive Prince, Jumatatu Poe, and Jennifer
Rose.

Lighting design and stage management is by Catherine Lee.


************************************

The mission of Kun Yang Lin/Dancers is to draw upon its unique  Asian
American  perspective to create work that transcends cultural boundaries and
enriches our community. Chi, Mandarin for "breath" or "vital life source",
is at the core of our artistry and educational activities. Chi Movement Arts
 Center, the home of Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers, is the centerpiece of our mission-
a place of learning, exploration, growth, artistic excellence and vitality.

***********************************
Kun-Yang Lin (artistic director) is acknowledged as one of Taiwan's finest
choreographers.  He has received numerous awards in Taiwan, including the
Taipei National Theater's Modern Dance Award, National Endowment for the
Arts Choreography Award, the Domestic Prize from the Taipei International
Community Cultural Foundation, and the Taiwan Outstanding Artist Award. At
the age of 12, Lin organized the first all-male dance troupe to perform in
his native village of Hsin Chu, after having spent the previous 7 years
directing his three sisters in numerous performances in their shared
bedroom. His early training in calligraphy, painting, figure skating and
martial arts came to play a significant role in his development as a
performer and choreographer. Since moving to the United States in 1994, Mr.
Lin has been widely recognized including, in 2002, by Lisa Jo Sagolla of *Back
Stage, *who selected Mr. Lin as "*the year's most promising choreographer*."
Mr. Lin has performed as a principal dancer with Doris Humphrey Repertory
Dance Company and the Mary Anthony Dance Theatre, where he also served as
Associate Artistic Director.  In addition, Lin has performed in the
companies of Martha Graham, Anna Sokolow, Jennifer Muller/The Works, Kevin
Wynn Collection, Paula Josa-Jones and Janis Brenner & Dancers.  He also has
collaborated with musicians such as John Zorn, Ranjit Arapurakal and Animus
Music Group on improvisation projects.

Mr. Lin's choreography has been presented throughout the United States as
well as in Asia, Southeast Asia, London, Vienna and Mexico. His work has
been performed by the Martha Graham Dance Company in Union Square, Dance
Compass, Dance Fusion, Blue Muse Dance, Pick of the Crop Dance, Elizabeth
Higgins Dance Theater, Moving Arts Project, Janis Brenner & Dancers, Dance
Ensemble of Singapore and Ballet Nacional de Mexico, as well as by various
universities and high schools, including Beverly Hills High School.  In
addition, Mr. Lin's choreography has been made part of the educational
curricula required of dance students at both Taiwan National University of
the Arts and Dance Ensemble Singapore (DES) Performing Arts Academy.

Highly sought as a teacher, Mr. Lin has led master classes and workshops
throughout the U.S., as well as in Asia, Southeast Asia, Mexico and England.
In addition, he has been on the faculty of The Yard, Mary Anthony Dance
Studio, H.B. Actor's Studio, The Limon Institute and Peridance International
Dance Center.  Mr. Lin has served as resident Guest Artist at Bryn Mawr
College and, since 2003, has been an Assistant Professor of Dance at Temple
University's Boyer College of Music & Dance in Philadelphia.



****************************************


*"an extraordinary dancer whose blend of tautness and buoyancy is not only
exciting, but also suggestive of the clarity and immediacy with which dance
can communicate deep, conflicting emotions."  New York Times

"Kun-Yang Lin is an artist for the masses.  His work, even when indefinable,
is incredibly captivating for audiences and dancers alike" The Martha's
Vineyard Times

"Lin's choreography is multifaceted and extraordinarily impactful -- even
when the curtain falls, the viewer remains ensnared."  World Journal*

******************************************************* *

*"Prayer for Peace"
*
Chi

A group piece inspired by the ancient art forms of tai chi and calligraphy,
*Chi*, which means breath, energy or life's source, has become a central
element in KYL/D's outreach initiatives.  The *New York Times* described it
as *"a buoyant, radiant dance"* *.*

Performers:  Jillian Harris ( soloist)

Jumatatu Poe, Scott McPheeters, Kimberly Miller and Jennifer Rose

Music: Glen Velez
Moon Dance

Inspired by an Australian painting of a crane in the moonlight, it has been
described as follows: *"A coruscating solo…Mr. Lin is a master of form and
balance…When the lights go up we see Mr. Lin as a priest or acolyte of an
ancient culture, in alternating movement of turbulence and lyricism,
performing a dance in supplication to a heavenly body."* (*Back Stage*)

Performer:  Jennifer Rose

Music: Dead Can Dance
 *EMPTINESS OF **SNOW***

In Zen Buddhism, to arrive at a state of mindful "emptiness" is to know a
fullness beyond comprehension…*Emptiness of Snow* was inspired by the
December 2004 tsunami -- a shocking manifestation of the unpredictable,
unseen forces of nature constantly at work in the universe.  Through the
complex metaphor of winter -- the beautiful innocence of snow; the frigid
severity of ice; the brutal spontaneity of a glacier's collapse -- the piece
explores the relationship of the world that is seen (the ever-changing world
of dimensionality) with the world that is unseen (the never-changing world
beyond our mind and senses).

Performers:  Jumatatu Poe, Scott McPheters, Jillian Harris, Olive Prince and
Jennifer Rose

Music: Kenneth Kirschner, Tibetan bell Meditation music
*MY SONG

* Inspired by the melancholy of the Tango, this solo was part of a larger
piece entitled "Shall We?"

Performer: Scott McPheeters
Dedication

A piece created in honor of Mr. Lin's father and all those we have lost, the
*New York Times* described it as* **"a nuanced distillation of sorrow."*

Performer: Kun-Yang Lin

 *FROM THE LAND OF LOST CONTENT*

A multi-media, multi-sectioned group work inspired by the struggles and
enduring strength of the Tibetan people, it has been described as: *"Powerful
simplicity" (New York Times);"Brilliantly constructed…combines a fresh
approach to conventional craft with a commitment to contemporary
social-consciousness." (Back Stage);"A post-postmodernist dance...effective
and affective"* *(Ballet Review)*

Performers: the Company

Music: Philip Glass, Lama Gyurmes, Jean-Philippe Rykiel, Kirby Schelstad

For more information about Kun-Yang Lin, his dancers or the dance company,
please visit www.kunyanglin.org.

-- 
Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers
1316 S. 9th street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215.922.1921
www.kunyanglin.org
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mail.philadelphiadance.org/pipermail/listserv_philadelphiadance.org/attachments/20080614/df5d5a9a/attachment-0001.html