Traditional Chinese Song, Dance of Ethnic Art Ensemble Nov. 10
A performance of traditional Chinese song and dance will be presented by the Ethnic Art Ensemble of Guizhou University at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Twichell Auditorium at Converse College. The event, which is free and open to the public, is co-sponsored by Wofford College.
The performance is presented through the Confucius Institute at Presbyterian College for the Upstate, in which the two colleges are partners.
“Converse and Wofford, as part of the Confucius Institute, are proud to be able to bring this beautiful performance of Chinese music and dance for the citizens of the Upstate to experience,” says Jeff Barker, vice president for academic affairs at Converse.
“The program highlights the native folk music and dances of China and furthers our quest to integrate Chinese language and studies into the curriculum for students at all levels,” says Dr. Li Qing Kinnison, professor of Chinese Language and Studies at Wofford.
The Ethnic Art Ensemble of Guizhou University has been presenting folk music and dances for more than 10 years both at home and abroad during tours of Ukraine, Russia, South Korea, France and the U.S.
Wearing vibrant traditional costumes, the ensemble will perform folk dances including the Miao dances “Silver Necklaces,” “Water Girls,” and “Dancing with the Beat of Drums.” Songs presented during the performance will include the Dong Grand Song, “Cicada’s Song,” the Yi folk song “Madrigal on the Grassland” and the Miao love song “Love in Spring.”
The Confucius Institute at Presbyterian College for the Upstate is the result of a successful partnership effort between Presbyterian College and partner institutions Converse College, Wofford College, Furman University, and Clemson University. Aided by a grant from the Office of Chinese Language Council International (HANBAN), the Confucius Institute will strengthen Chinese language and culture programs at the participating colleges and universities while broadening and facilitating community outreach programs and commercial exchanges between the upstate business community and China. Of equal importance, the Confucius Institute will help to prepare our students for the 21st century by integrating Chinese language programs into the k-12 curriculum, in collaboration with the State Department of Education.
For more information, contact the Twichell Box Office at 864.596.9725.