Viva la difference

China has a diverse cultural spectrum and many of the Middle Kingdom's ethnic groups live to sing and dance.

To show off this vibrant energy choreographers and dancers with China Central Nationalities Song and Dance Company have created a gala show to kick off its 08/09 season.

Harmonious China features the original folk dances of the Uygur, the Tibetans, the Yi, the Yao, the Dai, the Miao, the Oroqen and many other minorities.

Many of the performances are new creations by director Ding Wei and other choreographers with the company. The show follows the changing seasons and the vastness of the territory, from the snowy Northeast Heilongjiang province where the Oroqen and Ewenki minorities live to the forests in Southwest China's Yunnan province where the Dai, the Yi and Miao people have lived for generations. The show also features the folk songs of the Mongolia, Tibet, Yi and other minorities.

All the renowned artists of the company, such as the tenor Jiang Dawei, Teng Ko Erh, soprano Dedema, the band Yi Ren Zhi Zhao will perform in the show.

"Many of our artists are from minorities," says Ding Wei, director of the show. "Teng Ko Erh, the popular singer from Inner Mongolia, his song easily brings you to the broad beautiful prairies."

Chen Jie

7:30 pm, April 19,20. Beijing Exhibition Center Theater, Baishiqiao Road, Haidian District. 6833-6969

(China Daily 04/19/2008 page6)