Cirque D’Or – Golden Dragon Acrobats March 28th

MOSCOW- The Golden Dragon Acrobats will present Cirque D’Or at the Beasley Coliseum at 3:00 on March 28th. The Golden Dragon Acrobats represent a time honored tradition that began more than twenty-five centuries ago. The Golden Dragons are recognized throughout the United States and abroad as the premiere Chinese acrobatic touring company of today.

The reputation of the company is solidly rooted in a commitment to the highest of production values and an attention to artistic details that is unparalleled in the art form. World renowned impresario Danny Chang and choreographer Angela Chang combine award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, costumes, ancient and contemporary music and theatrical techniques to present an entertaining acrobatic show.

Tickets can be purchased at all TicketsWest outlets, 800-325-7328 or Festival Dance 208-883-3267. Adults are $28 students are $16 and seats in the balcony are $14.

In November 2005, the Golden Dragon Acrobats made their Broadway debut to a sold out audience at the New Victory Theater, New York's ultimate theater for kids and families. Their Broadway run over the next six weeks led to standing ovations from audiences of all ages and universal critical acclaim from the New York press. The run was highlighted by the Golden Dragons receiving two most prestigious New York Drama Desk nominations -- Danny Chang for Unique Theatrical Experience and Angela Chang for Best Choreography.

The 2009-2010 tour will mark the 31st year of continuous touring in the United States. With the company's main office based in Dallas, TX, the Golden Dragons have traveled around the world to all 50 states and to over 65 countries on five continents. The members of the current touring company, hailing from Hebei, China, have performed in all 48 lower U.S. states within the last four years to sold out audiences in nearly every major market in the country. The Golden Dragons remain the ONLY Chinese acrobatic company touring year-round in the United States.

An Art Form Beyond Compare

The ancient art of Chinese Acrobatics is an old and long running tradition that began in China well over two thousand years ago. Over its long and rich history it has developed as one of the most popular art forms among the Chinese people. While many historical records provide evidence for the development of Chinese acrobatics as far back as the Xia Dynasty (4000 years ago), it is most commonly held that the art form did not become popular until approximately 2,500 years ago when it began to capture the attention of the country's powerful emperors.

During the Warring States Period (475 BC - 221 BC) acrobatics in China began to evolve from the working lives of its people. Instruments of labor, such as tridents and wicker rings, and articles of daily use such as tables, chairs, jars, plates and bowls began to be used as performance props. This unorganized form of entertainment and leisure eventually evolved into a form of performance that became recognizable to the Chinese people.

During the Han Dynasty (221 BC - 220 AD) these rudimentary acts of acrobatics developed into the “Hundred Plays”. More contents and varieties were quick to develop. Musical accompaniment was added to the performance as interest in the art form grew among the emperors. During the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD) the number of acrobats increased as the skills of each individual performer slowly began to become much more precise and amazing.

Since these early times, acrobatics have evolved into many forms of performances including dance, opera, martial arts, and sports. However, the impact of Chinese acrobatics goes beyond the boundaries of performance as it has served an important role in the cultural exchange between China and Western nations including the United States. The citizens of China continue to present their acrobatic art for the world today, as it portrays the hard working nature of their people and sets forth an example of the rich traditions of Chinese culture.

2008 marked their 30th anniversary United States tour. The year also saw the company's home nation of China host the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing with the theme slogan "One World One Dream". The reflection of that slogan epitomizes the essence and the universal values of Unity, Friendship, Progress, Harmony, Participation and Dream.

The Golden Dragons remind us that we belong to the same world and we share the same aspirations and dreams. Watch the video clips at www.festivaldance.org.