Chinese Dance Pageant Packs Theater
A "Chinese Gala" program of Chinese dances performed by children and adults of the local Ah-lan Dance company and school drew an enthusiastic audience that packed the Performing Arts Theater at El Cerrito High Sunday.
The modest red decorations hanging in front of El Cerrito High School's main entrance Sunday afternoon indicated something unusual was happening, but didn't convey the full scope of the elaborate Chinese dance spectacle unfolding inside. The Ah-lan Dance company and school — directed by Ah-lan Min of El Cerrito and based in Albany, where she teaches classes — drew a capacity crowd for its wide-ranging repetoire of modern and ancient dance from China. Several of the numbers represented various ethnic groups. Dancers from age 4 on up performed in a variety of elaborate costumes, producing dizzying swirls of color blending with spell-binding tableaux enhanced by the impressive lighting effects and acoustics of the school's technically …
Dorothy Coakley
2:48 pm on Monday, June 6, 2011
We saw the crowds, but didn't know what the event was. Thanks for letting us know, Patch! The new theatre is a *major* asset to the neighborhood, BTW! Brings in very respectful people who are excited to be here. I only wish we knew more about what events were happening at the place. more ›