ONLINE EXTRA: Students showcase traditional Chinese dances
By Daily Bruin Staff
April 25, 2002 9:00 p.m.
 JONATHAN YOUNG "Lotus Steps" showcases dances
choreographed and performed by students in the Chinese Cultural
Dance Club this Sunday at the Northwest Auditorium.
By Siddarth Puri
Daily Bruin Reporter
Move over “Mulan,” it’s time for an authentic
representation of Chinese culture and tradition. The Chinese
Cultural Dance Club will put on their yearly cultural performance,
“Lotus Steps” this Sunday at the Northwest
auditorium.
“Lotus Steps” showcases thirteen dance pieces
choreographed by Jessica Lee, a first year member and Josephine
Louie, an artistic director donating her time for the club. The
dance pieces
“The dances are unique,” said Mike Lee, a fourth
year computer science and engineering student. “They were
choreographed using traditional Chinese dance techniques, but were
also designed specifically for the club.”
The performance highlights traditional Chinese dances and aims
to uncover and expose a different art form that has a relatively
low exposure.
“We want the audience to see that Chinese dancing is not
all about the dragon heads and silk and feather fans,” said
Katie Ngan, a graduating communications student.
The dances range in all spectrums of traditional Chinese
dancing. From elegant, melodious and calm dances such as the
“Peacock Dance” to upbeat, energetic performances such
as the “Flower Drum Song,” the dances show all
variation in Chinese classical dancing.
“Lotus Steps,” though portraying many
“stereotypical” Chinese images and dances, shows
another side that is not represented as often.
“There’s a definite level of passion and detail that
all the students carry on stage,” Mike Lee said.
By carrying themselves on stage with such professionalism,
according to Mike Lee, the audience will get a feel for the serious
nature of the performance, but at the same time, enjoy it.
All the dances have a story behind them that is articulated
through the performance. The “Flower Drum song,” for
example, recalls the plight of a woman who was taken hostage by a
group of men who raided her village. After escaping and being
rejected by her family, the woman leaves with her fiancé and,
to make a living does a flower drum song. The flag pole dance
recounts the battlefield victory of a village.
The dances come from all regions of China and show varying
styles and techniques. They also incorporate dances from Mongolia,
Taiwan and even a Buddhist-inspired dance.
There are also many emotional factors acting as a foundation for
their performance.
“As a graduating senior, I get to perform a solo ribbon
dance” Ngan said. “It’s sort of symbolic
expression of what I’m going to leave behind in the club and
how much I’ve appreciated and learned from it.”
This year is also very different from previous cultural shows.
This is the first year in the club’s history where they are
going through all thirteen dances without an intermission and help
of an emcee. In previous years, they used to do a “technique
demonstration” where they showed the audience numerous moves
they performed as well as a “fashion show” that
highlighted traditional Chinese garb.
“You’re filled with a proud feeling when you see
your own culture being articulated on stage,” said Jonathan
Chui, a first year computer science student. “Besides giving
people a chance to learn about a different culture, it will also
entertain them.”
With a melange of dancing, creativity and music, “Lotus
Steps” aims to educate as well as entertain an audience
coupling together Chinese culture and dance.
DANCE: “Lotus Steps” will be
performed at the Northwest Auditorium this Sunday at 2 p.m. Go to
the Central Ticket Office for tickets and for more information
visit www.studentgroups.ucla.edu/ccdc
