Is Asia Ready for Modern Dance?
This weekend, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s Grand Theatre will host the last performances in Asia of the storied Merce Cunningham Dance Company, which is preparing to dissolve after 58 years.
But the significance of these final shows seems lost on Hong Kong. As of Thursday, the day before opening night, tickets at every price point were still available for both the Friday and Saturday shows.
“It should be a huge deal — it’s an incredible opportunity to see something that will never happen again,” says Michelle Vosper, the Hong Kong representative for the New York-based Asian Cultural Council, which provided financial support for the company’s first Asia trip, back in 1964. “I think it’s actually very embarrassing if the house is not sold.”
Hong Kong is the only Asian stop on the tour, which is hitting more than 40 cities world-wide. It ends New Year’s Eve 2011, at which point the company will dissolve and the dancers let go.
Perhaps Seoul would have been much more receptive. In this Jang Dong Gun music video, you can see the modern dancers in the background. The Merce Cunningham Dance Company is far too talented in Modern Dance not to be a sell-out. Collaborate with Jang Dong Gun as he is HUGE in Korea! He is also a very modern and innovative artist. I hope this helps! I love Modern Dance as I studied it myself!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl-p974yhTc&feature=related