The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company and Asian American Arts Alliance (A4) are pleased to present an afternoon of thrilling AAPI dance with performances from the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, Jadin Wong Fellow Kanon Sugino, Jadin Wong Artist of Exceptional Merit Nikaio Bulan Sahar Thomashow (they/he) and KAŌS Dance Collective, Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company, and J CHEN PROJECT.

Please note this is Day 1 of a two-day festival. Day 2 is on Sunday, Jan 12 from 4:15–6:15pm also at The Ailey Citigroup Theatre (link here).

The AAPI Dance Festival at APAP is a part of the Dance Managers Collective Showcase.

Tickets:
General Admission Tickets are $25. If you would like to attend both days, we encourage you to reserve a Two-Day Pass at the special price of $30. We hope you’ll join us for both showcases!
Program:

1:45 pm – TBD by Nikaio Bulan Sahar Thomashow (they/he) and KAŌS Dance Collective
“As the Roots Undo” centers around the idea that the longer you stay in a new place, the more you distance yourself from the version of you that existed before. The original piece is meant to be a snapshot depicting the feeling of living through each seemingly identical day, understanding the necessity of adaptation in order to survive. The dancers see that they’re not alone and find strength in collective perseverance.

2:00 pm – “Mirage no Wana” by by Kanon Sugino
This work is an exploration of Japanese culture, heritage, language, societal norms, body image, and mental health, portraying the multidimensionality of the culture and its people. Amidst the richness and beauty of Japan is a concealed toxic and self-deprecating culture.

Dancers: Manatsu Aminaga, Kira Shiina, Kanon Sugino, and Mamiko Usuda

2:15 pm – “Leaving Pusan” by Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company

“Leaving Pusan” tells the story of Dana Tai Soon Burgess’s great grandmother’s emotional and physical departure from Korea in 1903 – she voyaged to Oahu, Hawai’i on the first steamship, the Gaelic, that delivered Koreans to work on the sugar cane and pineapple plantations. She worked on the Del Monte plantation her entire life.

2:45 pm – “AAPI HEROES” (Excerpt) by J CHEN PROJECT
“AAPI HEROES” entertains and pays homage to the vibrant legacy of Asian American history! We follow our young explorer, Kai, on a captivating journey across time to discover iconic Asian American figures such as Anna May Wong, Hollywood’s first Chinese American star, and Bruce Lee, a legend in martial arts and philosophy. It also brings to life the mythic NuWa, Goddess of Creation, and the global K-POP phenomenon.

Dancers: Chieh Hsiung, Sumire Ishige, Maya Lam, and Carl Ponce Cubero

3:15pm pm – Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company

Experience the artistry of Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, celebrated for its authentic and diverse programs that spotlight AAPI dance and foster cross-cultural collaboration. This dynamic performance highlights the Company’s innovative approach to blending tradition with modernity: