• By Mabel Pais

The New Jersey Symphony (njsymphony.org) for the fifth time presents Music Director Xian Zhang igniting the annual Lunar New Year. This festive family-friendly evening of cultural exchange will celebrate the Year of the Rabbit.

The performance takes place on January 21 at 7:30 pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark.

The evening is one of Music Director Xian Zhang’s most inspired projects. Shortly after becoming music director of the New Jersey Symphony in 2016, Zhang launched this popular celebration to share cultural traditions from across the globe.  Zhang will be ringing in the New Year alongside conductor Tong Chen. Chen, is in her second season as the New Jersey Symphony’s assistant conductor; she is also music director of the Yonkers Philharmonic Orchestra.

Featured in this year’s event will be pianist Chelsea Guo and violinist Nancy Zhou, two rising stars who recently received glowing reviews for their performances in the New Jersey Symphony’s “East/West: A Symphonic Celebration” concert at New York City’s Alice Tully Hall, featuring music by Qigang Chen and Jiping Zhao, composers also represented on this program.

This performance will feature the world premiere of James Ra’s Fantasia on SaeTaryeong performed by Min Kwon. Kwon is a Korean-American pianist and professor of piano at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts.

The evening will include performances from the Peking University Alumni Chorus, Starry Arts Group Children’s Chorus, and the Edison Chinese School Lion Dance Team. Prior to the performance, the Symphony is hosting a Gala fundraiser, beginning at 4:30pm. Gala guests will enjoy a pre-concert reception and festivities with featured artists followed by an elegant gala dinner. For information on Lunar New Year events available at njsymphony.org/lnygala

Watch the preview – fb.watch/hUFvOrzuIY

PROGRAM

2023 Lunar New Year Celebration

Saturday, January 21, 7:30 pm | New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark

Xian Zhang conductor

Tong Chen conductor

Nancy Zhou violin

Chelsea Guo piano

Min Kwon piano

Peking University Alumni Chorus

Starry Arts Group Children’s Chorus Rebecca Shen, Director

Edison Chinese School Lion Dance Team

New Jersey Symphony

Li Huanzhi Spring Festival Overture

Zhao Jiping Violin Concerto No. 1

James Ra SaeTaryung for Piano and Orchestra

Chen Qigang Er Huang

Bizet “Choeur des gamins” from Carmen

Traditional (arr. Liu) Di Li, Di Li

Li Shutong (arr. Hersh) Farewell at Long Pavilion

Sartori (arr. Hersh) Con tepartirò

TICKETS

For Tickets, call 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or visit njsymphony.org.

HEALTHY SAFETY POLICY

All New Jersey Symphony performances follow safety measures in partnership with the venues and based on the guidance provided by the CDC and the State of New Jersey.

New Jersey Symphony

The Emmy and Grammy Award-winning New Jersey Symphony, celebrating its Centennial Season in 2022–23, is redefining what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. The centennial season opened in October and will conclude in June 2023. For more information about the New Jersey Symphony visit njsymphony.org or email information@njsymphony.org.

Connect with NJS:

Website: njsymphony.org

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok: @NJSymphony on

YouTube: @NewJerseySymphony

Email: information@njsymphony.org

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NAI NI CHEN CELEBRATES LUNAR NEW YEAR AT NJPAC

By Mabel Pais

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company begins its annual celebration of the Lunar New Year in the Year of the Rabbit. This year’s presentation is the Black Water Rabbit with the world premiere of Lion in The City featuring hip-hop break-dancing legends Kwikstep and Rokafella.  Kwikstep, founder of the Full Circle Breaking Crew and a mentor to some of the best break dancers in the U.S. and Rokafella, one of the most iconic b-girls in hip-hop history will take to the stage with Nai Ni Chen on Saturday, January 21 and Sunday January 22 at 2pm.

A Newark tradition for over two decades, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company returns to NJPAC to welcome the coming Spring of 2023, the Year of the Black Water Rabbit. This year, to honor the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop, the Company will present the New Jersey Premiere of Dragon Cypher, a work developed by Nai-Ni Chen, Rokafella, and Kwikstep, collaboratively, integrating Chinese dance, contemporary choreography, and Hip-Hop Dance. It’s a spectacular experience for all ages, combining traditional Chinese celebrations with a modern flair. The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company has assembled a cross-cultural team consisting of the Company’s Director of New and Contemporary Dance, PeiJu Chien- Pott, assisted by H+ | The Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory’s Yvonne H. Chow, Lion Dance Master Henry Lee, and Hip-Hop break-dancing legends Kwikstep and Rokafella. DJ Kwikstep will develop new music incorporating the unique rhythms of Chinese Lion Dance drumming and Hip-Hop. At the same time, Rokafella works with the team to uniquely translate Hip-Hop Dance vocabulary onto the body of the lion. As Yvonne and PeiJu oversee the integration of all elements, welcome a Red Lion dance to a mix of Chinese drums and Hip-Hop rhythms. Besides these two new cross-cultural works, the Company also presents the Yungge (Harvest Song) and Peacock Dance from its traditional dance repertory and one of Nai-Ni Chen’s signature works, Movable Figures, from the Company’s contemporary dance repertoire.

The Lunar New Year of the Rabbit performance is only complete with authentic Chinese Classical music performance by the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York and the spectacular Dragon Dance. The audience will be blessed by the visitation of the Dragon, bringing good luck and fortune to every attendee of this celebration.

The Company will also showcase a contemporary dance work, Ashes of A Dead Frog, choreographed by legendary Polish Choreographer Jacek Luminski and commissioned by Nai-Ni Chen almost a decade ago. Guest artists from the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York will provide traditional and contemporary music on classical and folk Chinese instruments.

The Company Dancers, acrobats, and musicians perform in festive costumes in red, gold, blue, and purple colors symbolizing their prayer for a peaceful and harmonious New Year with plenty of prosperity and good fortune for everyone to enjoy and share.

TICKETS

For Tickets to see Nai-Ni Chen featuring break dancing legends Kwikstep and Rokafella, visit NJPAC.org or the NJPAC Box Office or call 888. GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722).

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company

Learn more at nainichen.org

PeiJu Chien-Pott

To learn more, visit peijucpresents.com/peiju-chien-pott

Full Circle Souljahs

Learn more at fullcirclesouljahs.com

Yvonne Huatin Chow

For more information, visit linkedin.com › in › yvonnehchow

Follow NJPAC Online:

Website:   njpac.org or 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722)

Twitter:    @NJPAC

Instagram: @NJPAC

Hashtag:   #NJPAC

Facebook:  facebook.com/NJPAC

YouTube:   NJPACtv

Follow NJPAC’s Standing in Solidarity Series Online:

Website:   njpac.org/takeastand

Hashtag:    #NJPACTakeAStand

Youtube:     Standing in Solidarity playlist

Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, Cuisine and Spirituality.