The Alden at the McLean Community Center (MCC) is celebrating Lunar New Year with a performance by the renowned Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company.
The celebration on Sunday, Feb. 4, begins with the free Year of the Dragon Festival for families, from noon to 4 p.m. The company’s dance performance will be held at 4 p.m. in The Alden. Tickets are $30, general admission, $25 for seniors and students and $20 for McLean Community Center district residents.
The theater is located at 1234 Ingleside Ave.
2024 is the Year of the Dragon and is considered one of the most auspicious and significant years in the Chinese zodiac, symbolizing strength, courage and good fortune. To mark this special occasion, The Alden has partnered with the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company to present their new mainstage Dragon Festival performance that is appropriate for all ages. The Alden is one of only a few theaters in the country where this performance will take place!
The Lunar New Year Festival is prior to the performance and is open to the public. It will feature local musicians, dancers, artisans and food samples. Be on the lookout for an appearance by a dragon! The Alden’s Director of Youth Theatre Programs, Danielle Van Hook, says, “This festival is great for those who have never celebrated the Lunar New Year before as well as those who have grown up with this tradition. We love having additional cultural experiences prior to performances to provide a more complete picture of the cultures that art comes from.”
The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company is a professional touring company founded by the visionary choreographer Nai-Ni Chen. Her company’s legacy blends contemporary American and traditional Chinese folk dance styles, creating a unique and captivating experience that reflects the inspiring hope and energy of an immigrant’s journey.
This performance will feature dance, a live musical performance on traditional Chinese instruments as well as lauded company repertoire:
• “Lion in the City,” a collaborative work by Hip-Hop legend Rokafella and Kwikstep with the company’s Director of New and Contemporary Dance, Peiju Chien-Pott.
• “Dragon Path,” a new work by emerging choreographer Aloe Ao Liu.
• “Mongolian Festival,” a new work created by resident choreographer Lawrence Jin.
The performance is approximately 90 minutes, plus an intermission.
“…the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company Lunar New Year Celebration…is a great experience for anyone wanting to learn more about the rich and inclusive history of the Lunar New Year. A reminder of why art is relevant, the show calls attention to our capacity for inclusion, creativity, growth and education.” - Edge Media Network
Tickets for the 4 p.m. performance are on sale now. For purchase tickets or for more information, visit the website, aldentheatre.org.
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