BeijingDance | LDTX presents works by Ma Bo, Li Han-zhong, Sang Jijia, Liu Bin and Song Tingting in the NAC Theatre April 9, 2011. The performance is sold out, but obstructed view seating has been released for sale.

The birth of BeijingDance | LDTX (Lei Dong Tian Xia, literally translated as Thunder Rumbles Under Heaven) in September of 2005 not only caught widespread international attention, but also captured the imagination of many artists in China. BeijingDance | LDTX was born out of a controversial and exciting time of rapid cultural change in China, becoming China’s first professional dance company founded independently from government.

Founded by veteran choreographers and a new generation of dancers in China, BeijingDance | LDTX is a platform for contemporary creations. Under the artistic direction of Willy Tsao, China’s foremost figure in modern dance, and deputy artistic director Li Hanzhong, the company boasts an ensemble of 15 technically exquisite dancers and a diverse repertoire. And, by nurturing young talent and working exclusively with Chinese dance creators, the company pioneers China’s most cutting edge choreography.

The performance presented at the NAC includes four works from the company’s diverse repertoire.

In the explosive Cold Dagger (excerpt), choreographed by Li Han-zhong and Ma Bo, the dancers are life-sized pieces in an intricate match of the traditional Chinese weigi (go) game. David Diamond’s strident cello music underscores the dramatic tension evoked by dance that incorporates dynamic martial arts moves yet resolves itself in stillness and a fluid lyricism.

October is a quirky, soft, and calm duet created by two of China’s most exciting emerging choreographers, Liu Bin and Song Tingting.

Solitude in Numbers features music especially created for rising choreographic star Sang Jijia by Hong Kong based musician, Dickson Dee. The thought-provoking piece offers personal insight into Jijia’s thoughts of experiencing loneliness in a city of millions.

All River Red interprets Stravinsky’s iconic Rite of Spring as symbolic of the vital struggle in China to develop contemporary dance. All River Red is not a comfortable fusion of East and West, but rather, a direct and violent confrontation between those adhering to tradition and those inspired to innovate.

"The company doesn’t merely dance splendidly, it dances ferociously." LA Times

BeijingDance | LDTX performs in the Theatre of the National Arts Centre on Saturday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $37.67, $46.28, and $50.58 for adults and $20.18, $24.49, and $26.64 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card).

Duration: 88 minutes including a 20 minute intermission

Groups of 10 or more save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices; to reserve your seats, call 613-947-7000, ext. 634 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca.

Tickets are available for purchase:

• In person at the NAC Box Office
• At all Ticketmaster outlets
• By telephone from Ticketmaster, 1-888-991-2787 (ARTS) new!  
• Online through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC’s website (www.nac-cna.ca)
• A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster

This production is eligible for the Live Rush program. Full-time students aged 13-29 with a valid Live Rush membership may buy up to two tickets per performance at the discounted price of only $12 per ticket. Live Rush tickets are available from 10 a.m. on the day before the performance until 6 p.m. on the day of the performance. This includes all available seats, including the best seats in the house. Check out liverush.ca for information on the Live Rush program.

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For more information, please call:
Eleri Evans
Marketing and Communications Officer, Dance
National Arts Centre
613-947-7000 ext. 379; e-mail: eevans@nac-cna.ca
or visit the NAC website at www.nac-cna.ca