“The contrasting dances make demands of us, but also yield unique rewards. What links both is the astoundingly good ensemble dancing.”
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
| CHENG TSUNG-LUNG | 13 Tongues (music: Lim Giong) |
| LIN HWAI-MIN | Dust (music: Shostakovich) |
Taiwan’s beloved contemporary dance troupe returns to UC Berkeley following its exquisite 2016 performances of Rice at Zellerbach Hall. The program looks back at the company’s history and offers a glimpse into its future, with two major works by the troupe’s outgoing and incoming artistic directors. Lin Hwai-min recently stepped down from leading the company he founded 47 years ago, and his successor and protégé, Cheng Tsung-lung, promises to continue the singular blend of modern dance, ballet, martial arts, and Qigong that has long defined this esteemed company. Lin’s Dust is a requiem for the displaced communities of the modern world and is set to Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8, which commemorates the horrors of World War II. Cheng’s 13 Tongues translates his childhood memories of the bustling street life of Taipei into a vibrant fantasy world, as neon lights and urban sounds mingle with the city’s religious rites and festive parades.
We regret to announce that this event is no longer available as part of our 2020–21 season, as Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan has postponed its planned tour of the United States until the fall of 2021. We will announce rescheduled performance dates as soon as they are available.