By AUSTRALIA CHINESE DAILY, 05/06/2024, 12:55
On the evening of May 19th local time, the Sydney Chinese Dance Group performed “Dream Echoes of Dance,” a special showcase of Chinese classical dance in Sydney.
【AUSTRALIA CHINESE DAILY Reports】As the Sydney Chinese Dance Group celebrates its 20th anniversary, Jing Yuan, the Director of ACDG, stated in an interview with reporters in Sydney on the 3rd June 2024: “Over these 20 years, we have consistently drawn strength from our hard work and passion for dance, dedicating ourselves to preserving the art of Chinese cultural dance and fostering multicultural exchange in Australia.”
Jing explained that the members of the Sydney Chinese Dance Group come from various walks of life, including talents from professional dance groups in China. Overseas, as they each have their own professional jobs during the week, they have persistently dedicated every Sunday to over three hours of basic dance training. She emphasized that solid foundational skills are essential for better dance performances. They have channeled their hard work and passion for dance into a cohesive and progressive force, making relentless efforts and contributions in Australia.
Over the past 20 years, the Sydney Chinese Dance Group has performed numerous outstanding works in major theaters across Sydney and other states, including “Melody of Dance,” “Charm of Dance,” “Dream of Dance,” “Dancing Sydney,” “Radiance,” “Rhythm of Dance,” “Devotion of Love,” and “The Silk Road.” These performances have been immensely popular with local audiences, with every show being sold out.
Jing mentioned that the Sydney Chinese Dance Group not only showcases its talent on stage but also actively participates in social welfare initiatives. They donated all proceeds from their performance of “Dream of Dance” to the earthquake-stricken areas in Sichuan, China, and the earnings from “Devotion of Love” were contributed to the Sydney Westmead Children’s Hospital. Additionally, the proceeds from their original dance drama “The Flower Fairy of Tang” were donated to the Australian Leukemia Foundation. Through the dissemination of multicultural arts, they have deepened the friendship between overseas Chinese and the mainstream society, earning praise from the New South Wales government.
Jing stated, “Chinese culture and art have a long and profound history. Although Chinese immigrants have been in Australia since the mid-19th century, truly integrating Chinese culture and art into the Western mainstream society requires unity and communication among overseas Chinese.” The Sydney Chinese Dance Group uses the language of dance as a bridge to build cultural friendships with various ethnic groups in Australia. Among these efforts, the collaborative performance of “The Silk Road” stands out as a remarkable fusion with Australia’s multicultural arts.
She told reporters that in 2010, the Sydney Chinese Dance Group created the large-scale classical mythological dance drama “The Flower Fairy of Tang,” adapted from a novel by Australian-Chinese writer Luo Shan, showcasing the splendor of China’s Tang Dynasty. The dance drama was performed across various locations in Australia and received congratulations from then Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. It was also covered by the Chinese program of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Sydney Oriental Chinese Radio.
Particularly in 2018, the performance of “Rhythm of Dance” marked a significant milestone for the Sydney Chinese Dance Group as it stepped into a new era of brilliance. Concurrently, the publication of “Rhythm of Dance” as the first dance magazine by Australian Chinese garnered widespread social attention. This dance magazine documents the diligent efforts and the enchanting charm of Sydney’s dancers, providing encouragement and support to dance enthusiasts.
At the beginning of 2023, the special performance “Chasing Dreams of Glory” received support from the Australian Department of Multicultural Affairs. The event was a full house, with many audience members inquiring about the possibility of follow-up performances.
Audiences have praised the Sydney Chinese Dance Group for showcasing the tradition and artistry of Chinese dance. They not only provide significant cultural and artistic contributions to the Australian Chinese community but also use the language of dance to promote the development of cultural friendship and harmony between China and Australia.
“Twenty years of perseverance and dedication are the core values of the Sydney Chinese Dance Group. The performance of ‘Dream Echoes of Dance,’ a special showcase of Chinese classical dance held on the evening of the 19th last month in Sydney, featured 11 classical Chinese dance pieces. These pieces not only represent the culmination of our dance creations over the past two decades but also perfectly integrate the stories, soulful music, and dance content. The program transported the audience back to ancient China thousands of years ago, allowing them to experience the beauty of Chinese classical dance. Once again, it offered a unique cultural feast to the audiences of Australia and China,” said Jing.
(By AUSTRALIAN CHINESE DAILY Reporter: Gu Shihong)
English 
Chinese