“An Evening of Dance” commemorates the 20th Anniversary of Jeya Nritha Kalalayam Dance Academy, which was set up in January 1983.It will be presented by the students and graduates of the academy whose experience in dance ranges from 1 year to 20 years and more.

The repertoire consists of bharatanatyam and folk dances choreographed by academy principal Mrs Kumudhini Sivanathanas well as by the academy’s graduates.

Date/Time: 25 January 2002 at 7.30pm (Sat)
Venue: Kalamandapam, Lorong Scott
(off Jalan Tun Sambatan)
Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur

Tickets: Free Admission Tel: 03-2283 5522 (Mr.R.Sivanathan)

Dancing New Asia is a collaboration between the Hong Kong Arts Festival and the Fringe Club to promote intercultural dialogue and networking between Hong Kong and Southeast Asian nations.

The 3-day event comprises a forum, workshops and performances by representatives from Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia.

From Malaysia:
Arifwaran Shaharuddin will conduct a workshop and perform The Anthology of Mein Fuhrer Dr. M
Prof Mohd Anis Md Nor will speak on the Confluence of Diversity: Inventing Contemporary Dances in Malaysia

Dates: 27 February – 1 March 2003
Venue: Fringe Club, Hong Kong
Fee: HK$500

Look under ‘Festival Plus’ of www.hk.arts festival.org for further information on this Southeast Asian Dance Showcase and Forum.

The 17th annual Congress on Dance Research, “Dance in Education”, will take place 29 October – 2 November 2003 in Greece. Jointly organized by the International Organization of Folk Art and the International Dance Council CID-UNESCO, it is a major international event in dance scholarship involving approximately 250 specialists from 35 countries.

Those interested in participating are invited to send a message to the secretariat. Research papers, as well as proposals for lectures, exhibitions or performances must be sent by email and on paper before 15 September 2003 for review by the Scientific Committee. Please ask for details before sending your paper.

Congress Secretariat:
Scholiou 8, Plaka, GR-10558 Athens
Tel: (30) 210 324 6188; Fax: (30) 210 324 6921
Email: president@CID-UNESCO.org

Esplanade, Theatre on the Bay, Singapore presents RiverGrass Dance Theatre’s popular dance drama RE: Lady White Snake in its international arts festival – HUAYI. RiverGrass is proud to be the first Malaysian Dance Company performing in this prestigious venue.

The rain falls on the large lotus leaves. The atmosphere is warm and recalls a lost world. The music starts, primal , deep… Re: Lady White Snake is a feast for the eyes.
(Jenny Daneels, Kulture.com, September 15, 2000)

It left you floating in a dreamlike sensation during the sensual and enchanting performance of Re: Lady White Snake.
(Klue.com, September 12, 2000)

Ensemble dance drama at its most effective.
(Cynthia Peterson, The Malay Mail, September 18, 2000)

About RE: Lady White Snake
Re: Lady White Snake is an interpretation of a Chinese folk-tale from the Sung Dynasty. This contemporary dance drama premiered in 1996 and has since received invitation to perform in Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Seattle. Choreographed by Mew Chang Tsing and Lee Swee Keong and jointly performed by Brian Chua and Weijun, its latest rendition signifies the maturity of a unique Asian dance style. The production also hails the commissioned music by Bernard Goh, costume design by Melinda Looi, and hair & make up design by Charles Jong.

Performance Data
Venue : Studio Theatre, Esplanade, Theatre On the Bay, Singapore
Date : 7 & 8 February, 2003
Time : 7.30 pm
Enquires: 03- 7877 8706
Email : rvg@RiverGrass.com.my

Booking Service and Lucky Draw for Mydance members
The Malaysian chapter of World Dance Alliance – MyDance Alliance, together with RiverGrass is pleased to provide the service of :

· booking performance tickets and organizing bus transport
· for 7-9 February ’03.

Performing on the same weekend are Kun Opera, The Peony Pavilion and French Dance company, Companie Eolipile. As this is the Chinese New Year weekend, New Year Fair and related activities will take place along the riverbank next to the Esplanade.

Cost
Estimated cost : RM 250-300 (2-way bus and tix to 2 different performances). Accommodation can be arranged with extra RM100 (2 nights).

Lucky Draw
Members of MyDance Alliance registered for this service before 22 January ’03 are entitled to a Lucky Draw. 2 winners get free tickets to the performance of RE: Lady White Snake.

For more information on the festival visit www.esplanade.com

Interest please contact
RiverGrass Dance Academy or RiverGrass Dance Theatre
12A, Jalan 20/16A, 46300 PJ, Malaysia
Tel/Fax : 03 – 787 787 06
email: rvg@rivergrass.com.my
website: www.rivergrass.com.my

Nur Shiblie conducts a belly-dance workshop that promises to be an exhilarating dance workout that will beat your boring old gym routine any day.

Date:18 January, 3pm – 6pm
19 January, 10.30am – 1.30pm .
Fee: RM150 per session

Venue: DanzArtz Studio
22-2, Jalan 27/70A,
Desa Sri Hartamas,
Kuala Lumpur
(Tel: 03-2300 8081)

To make a booking, call Kim at 012-210 5998.

Taiwan “Touch Your Heart” Performing Arts Workshop
is organized by Batu Dance Theatre.

Time: 2.30pm
Date:18th January 2003
Venue:The Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (MCPA Theatre)

Co-organiser: Sungei Wang Plaza, Vel Art Collections
Advisors: By Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, Tourism Bureau, MOTC, ROC.

Presenters:A.Aris Kadir (Akedemi Seni Kebangsaan), Guna (Khazana Stage Creations) and Vincent Tan (Batu Dance Theatre).

Tickets: Free Admission
For detail information, please contact: Miss Hoh
Tel: 03-3324 7568, 012-2955 331.

After playing to “standing room only” at The Actors Studio Box, Taman Budaya Negeri Perak, Ipoh and The Actors Studio Greenhall, Penang, Stories for Amah presented by The Actors Studio Malaysian Playwright Series, will see a fourth staging — this time at The Actors Studio Bangsar.

Although primarily a theatre piece, it features dancer-choreographer Mew Chang Tsing in the lead role. And she still gets a chance to demonstrate her dancing skills.

Written by Mark Beau De Silva and presented under The Actors Studio Malaysian Playwright Series, Stories for Amah revolves around Ruth, a Chinese-Eurasian girl, defining her identity. It is a tale of knowing what matters most and a journey that discovers the soul is without colour.

Dates:
17-18, 24-25 January @ 8.30pm
19, 25 & 26 January @ 3.00pm

Venue: The Actors Studio Bangsar (Bangsar Shopping Center)
Tickets: RM32 & RM42 (Adults); 50% off (Students)

Contact: 03-2094 0400 / 2094 1400

WEIJUN, 24, completed his Bachelor of Arts, Dance Degree in 2001 at Queensland University of Technology, School of Dance (Australia). Weijun is currently the artiste-in-residence at Sutra Dance Theatre. Check out http://www.kakiseni.com for Weijun’s new article “Dance My Foot? Ask Weijun Part 2”

Starting: 11 January 2002 (once a week)
Time: Saturday-6:00pm to 7:30pm
Venue: Sutra Dance Theatre
12 Persiaran Titiwangsa 3, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-4022 9669

Class for Beginners & Intermediate
Fees: First trail lesson FREE!
RM30 (registration)
RM50 (monthly)

Class structure and emphasis
· Improvisation and movement discovery
· Stretching and body conditioning
· Basic ballet and modern dance techniques
· Dance sequence and repertoire

Entry requirement
· Age 15 and above
· Previous dance training an advantage
· Beginners are welcome

From Alarippu to Moksha is a Bharata-Natyam and Odissi programme featuring senior dancers from Sutra Dance Theatre. Under this programme Ramli Ibrahim will collaborate with young gurus from at least six other dance schools in various cities around Malaysia to showcase their emerging young dance talents. The Indian classical teachers include Guna, Nadarajan Muniandy, Ajit Bhaskaran Dass, Santiago Samathanam and Shangita Namasivayam. Programme details are given below.

Dates/Time: 24-26 January 2003 @ 8.30pm
Venue: Amphi-Sutra (12 Persiaran Titiwangsa 3, Kuala Lumpur)
Entry: Minimum donation of RM20 per person

Call: 03-4022 9669 (weekdays 11am-5pm only)

Programme:
24 January
Khazana Stage Creations, KL (Guna)
Subraanjali Dance Theatre, KL (Nadarajan Muniandy)

25 January
Natya Kalamandir, Ipoh (Santiago Samathanam)
Suvarna Dance Creations, Johor Baru (Ajit Dass)

26 January
Shangita Namasivayam Academy, KL (Shangita Namasivayam)
Sutra Dance Theatre, KL (Ramli Ibrahim)

From Alarippu to Moksha is a platform for dancers to network, share and consolidate common objectives and future efforts to bring about a greater awareness of dance as a part of the total dance experience.

Audiences will also have a chance to compare the development of the dance around Malaysia as represented by the dance schools from different cities.

The Asian Cultural Council (ACC) is a foundation supporting cultural exchange in the visual and performing arts between the United States and the countries of Asia.

The main focus of the ACC’s grants programme is to provide individual fellowship awards to artists, scholars, students and specialists from Asia undertaking research, study, travel and creative work in the United States.

The ACC also awards a small number of grants in support of regional exchange activities in Asia.

The council not only awards individual fellowship grants, but also devotes special attention to arranging programmes tailored specifically to the needs and professional objectives of each grantee.

Staff will advise on cultural resources and activities, prepare travel itineraries, arrange meetings with arts specialists, recommend appropriate academic programmes and research affiliations and encourage grantees to explore interdisciplinary relationships in the arts in both Asian and American contexts.

Those interested in applying should visit www.asianculturalcouncil.org for further information.

Application deadline is 1 February 2003.