Dance Asia was a brainchild of Wuiping Yap who started the annual production showcase in 2004.  The objectives of Dance Asia has been clear from its inception:

to showcase the diversity of Asia through the Art of Movement ;

to raise public awareness on the intricacies of Asian dance forms;

and to promote and cultivate interest in Asian dance culture.

It has partnered with Dance DC festival since 2005 to present its biggest annual showcase. Dance Asia also feature special performances year round.  It has build up a core group of affiliated Asian Dance Ensembles in the region that supports the production.  Additionally, Dance Asia has spun out a subsidiary coalition of dancers under the banner of Dance Asia Alliance. The group draws its dancers from multiple leading Asian cultural dance groups in the region.  Members are usually the master instructors or experienced performers from various disciplines.  Their main focus has been producing unique cross cultural fusion work, commissioned by special occasions and events such as the DC Mayor’s Arts Award, Cherry Blossom Parade Finale, Asia Society Spices & Rices Gala, UDC DC meets Delhi Film Festival,  Save Darfur Benefit Concert, Here I Stand Paul Robeson Peace Award Gala and many more.

Dance Asia’s Colors! series is a fresh avenue to stage creative heritage performances- in addition to its Annual Thematic Showcase.  The objective of this project is to encourage heritage performers to embark on a continuous creative journey. Artists present synergetic pieces based on the color given to reflect their tradition, heritage, culture, identity & experience through the spirit of that particular color.

Asia is a vast continent with extraordinary diversity.  While Asia is not known to have a dominant dance tradition, the art of the movement has a strong presence and play an important role in all of Asian cultures.  Its people use dance to express themselves, practice religious rituals, celebrate festive seasons and events, and passing traditions from one generation to another.  The purpose of this project is to support the Asian dance tradition, to demonstrate the vast diversity of the continent and to popularize cultural dances among local audiences and youths of the various Asian communities.

 

Dance Asia is Supported by Arlington Arts Cultural Affairs