As Donald Trump would say, “China. China! CHINA! C-H-I-N-A. China? Chi-nah!!!!!
While we thank him for flamboyantly acknowledging our trade and economic partner, he never seems to go into detail with all that country has to offer. So we here at eNJoynj.com would like to touch on a part of history and art that he might have missed – the incredible talents and performance of the Golden Dragon Chinese Acrobats.
The Golden Dragon Acrobats represent the best of a time-honored tradition that began more than twenty-five centuries ago. The Golden Dragons are recognized throughout the United States and abroad as the premiere Chinese acrobatic touring company of today.
In November 2005, the Golden Dragon Acrobats made their Broadway debut to a sold out audience at the New Victory Theater, New York’s ultimate theater for kids and families. Their Broadway run over the next six weeks led to adoration and standing ovations from audiences of all ages and universal critical acclaim from the New York press, highlighted by the Golden Dragons receiving two prestigious New York Drama Desk nominations. The Golden Dragon Acrobats count among their distinctions being a seven-time recipient of the National Association of Campus Activities Entertainer of the Year Award, the Campus Activities Today’s Performer of the Year Award and in recent years, individual members of the Golden Dragons have been recipients of awards at the Henan Regional Acrobatic Competition, the China National Acrobatic Competition, the National Teen Acrobatic Competition, the Italian National Acrobatic Competition, the International Young Adult Acrobatic Competition in Japan and the Presidents Award at the International Acrobatic Competition, and have performed for President Bill Clinton and other leaders at the APEC meeting in Shanghai, China.
The Golden Dragons have traveled around the world to all 50 states and to over 65 countries on five continents. The members of the current touring company, hailing from Hebei, China, have performed in all 48 lower U.S. states within the last four years to sold-out audiences in nearly every major market in the country.
They will be making their annual New Jersey stopover at the famed Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on September 27th.
The Count Basie Theatre remains one of the finest centers for all the performing arts in New Jersey. Their mission statement is direct and to the point:
“The primary mission of the Count Basie Theatre is to serve the people of the State of New Jersey by providing a broad spectrum of quality entertainment and education programs that reflect and celebrate the diversity of the region; foster understanding and appreciation for the ennobling power of the performing arts; and create opportunity for cultural enrichment for people at all economic levels. It also is our mission to develop and maintain a world-class venue that enhances the enjoyment of these entertainment and education programs; contributes to the cultural and economic vitality of the community and the region; and honors the memory of Count Basie.”
September 27
www.countbasietheatre.org
