National Acrobats of the People's Republic excites audiences at Nazareth College Art Center

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Nov. 18, 2014 - PRLog -- Nazareth College Arts Center  presented the National Acrobats of the People's Republic of China: Cirque Peking, on Sunday, November 16, 2014, at 7 p.m. in the Callahan Theater. Direct from Beijing, the company is one of the most acclaimed acrobatic troupes in China, and is known worldwide for its unique and spectacular stunts that seem to defy human anatomy, physics, and gravity.

Ticket holders were able to attend a free pre-performance lecture about the history and importance of acrobatics in China at 6 p.m. in the Peace Theater. Performers start training at the age of 3 and retire at the age of 30. Bodies are taught flexibility at a very young age and concentration is vital.

The Performance

Each act was stunning. The costumes were feathery, glittery, charming and bodies flexed in ways that seemed to defy the human anatomy. Acrobats leaped, tumbled, hopped, and even made a person question the laws of physics. Every piece of music was uplifting like “The Bee” which kept the attention of even the smallest child at the performance. It was a show of excellence and strength beyond our imaginations. These Acrobatic Troupes represent a 3,000 year-old Chinese tradition, over the course of several generations. It was a combination of ballet, tumbling, contortion, plate-spinning, juggling and cycling. Aerial Bungee Tumbling certainly caught the attention of the delighted audiences who signed in relief as some of the acts were unbelievable.

Under the direction of Mr. Han Ning, director, and Mr. Zhong Li, associate director, the National Acrobats of the People's Republic of China have set themselves apart from thousands of acrobatic troupes around the world. Over 200 of the company's artists have won gold and silver awards at national and international competitions, and the troupe is so talented and innovative that the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil recruits from its training school.

The company's history is as intriguing as one of its performances. Founded during the Cold War by the Chinese government, the troupe was unwelcome in the United States until 1972, when President Richard M. Nixon invited the 72-person company to the White House. The invitation signaled a turning point in the relationship between China and the United States, and the company is credited, in part, with re-establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries at a critical time in history.

The Nazareth College Arts Center

• is a nonprofit institution.

• is the premier presenter of world-class dance, children's theatre, and international entertainment in Rochester.

• attracts approximately 70,000 adults and children annually.

• houses the Nazareth College departments of art, music, and theatre arts, which present exceptional theatre productions, musicals, recitals, and art exhibitions each year (events are open to the public), while preparing students for successful careers in fields such as art, music, and drama education; visual communication design; studio art; film; creative arts therapy; acting; musical theatre; dance; technical theatre and design; music performance; and music business.

• serves as a venue for auditions, art classes, music lessons, recitals, fundraisers, lectures, community theater productions, camps, workshops, and graduations.

• offers a School Performance Series, which serves thousands of area K-12 students/teachers each year.

• is the performance home of Rochester City Ballet and world-renowned Garth Fagan Dance, as well as the home of the Bach Children's Chorus.

• is the only area performing Arts Center located on a College campus.

Special thank you to Mare Millow, Marketing and Publicity Manager at Nazarath College

artscenter.naz.edu

Media Contact
Whim Publishing, NBC News
949.838.6052
***@whimpublishing.com (../email-contact.html#12396734)