New Courses / Classes

The Celestar Studio of Performing Arts is offering new courses in jazz dance and casual classes in various types of dance.

Commencing Monday, 5 January 2004, they include:

Jazz Dance Courses
1) Full-time Teachers Course (6 days/week)
2) Full-time Performers Course: intro & higher levels (6 days/week)
3) Part-time Teachers Course (2 days/week)
4) Part-time Performers Course (2 days/week)

Casual Classes
5) Jazz dance, Ballet, Latin dance, Break dance, Street tap, Tap dance (once a week)

To register and for further information on fees and timetable, contact Celeste at 013-371 0862.

Registration open until 20 December 2003, and from 2-4 January 2004.

Riverdance

Riverdance the original, biggest and best Irish dance extravaganza is coming to Malaysia courtesy of IMG, the producers of Fame and Cats.

The show will include performances by international companies such as the Moscow Folk Ballet Company and the Amanzi Singers as well as the Riverdance Tappers, Singers, Drummers and Dance Troupe.

Since 1995, over 16 million people have seen Riverdance. With three Riverdance companies touring the world, there have been over 2630 performances in 90 venues in 18 countries over four continents.

Dates: starting 12 December 2003 (limited season)

Venue: Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur

Tickets: from RM75 to RM220 (Group discounts available)

Contact Axcess Hotline: 03-7491 9999

For more information on the show, visit www.riverdance.com

Dua Space Audition

Dua Space Dance Theatre is conducting auditions for both professional and trainee dancers.

On 31 December 2002, Dua Space Dance Theatre will launch itself as the first Chinese professional dance company in Malaysia. It is looking for dancers to join the company as well as take part in a few major performances being planned for 2003.

All applicants must be:
· Experienced
· Passionate about dance
· Ready to contribute to the performing arts in Malaysia

If interested in auditioning please pre-register with company manager, Douglas Wong at 03-8943 8696 / 012-304 2012.

Date: 8 December 2002
Time: 11.00am
Venue: Dua Space Dance Academy (2A Jalan Kenari 11, Puchong Jaya, 47100 Puchong)

Homecoming

HOMECOMING – featuring choreography by Malaysian artists of the world is a fund-raising performance showcasing the collaborative efforts of four renowned choreographers working with local dancers.

Ng Teck Voon (Holland), Ong Yong Lock (Hong Kong), Albert Tiong (Singapore) and Wong Thien Pau (Singapore) are Malaysian artists known internationally for their outstanding performances in contemporary dance.

There will be solos, duets, ensembles and a session of Dance Dedication in which the audience selects a combination of dancers to do an impromptu dance accompanied by the Hands Percussion Team and other local musicians.

Dates/Time:
12-14 December 2003 @ 8.30pm

Venue:
MCPA Theatre, Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall
1 Jalan Maharajalela, 50150 KL

Admission:
By donation (minimum RM30)

Enquiries:
Choo Tee Kuang (012-2024303)
Woon Fook Sen (012-2842389)

The Malaysian Chinese Performing Artists (MCPA) Alliance is organizing the show to raise funds for upgrading the MCPA Theater. Located at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, the MCPA Theatre is non-profit driven and lacks certain facilities and equipment.

However, a group of artistes and enthusiasts in the dance community has come together with the aim of raising sufficient funds to install a sprung wooden floor and equip the theatre with sufficient lighting.

Those who wish to make further donations are also kindly requested to contact either Choo Tee Kuang (012-2024303) or Woon Fook Sen (012-2842389).

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PROGRAMME

First Half

Sat Sa
Choreographer: Ong Yong Lock
Dancers: Judimar Monfils, Isaac Lim

Excessive Space, Constricted Space
Choregrapher/Dancer: Wong Thien Pau

Different Flow On Mutual Ground
Choreographer: Ng Teck Voon
Dancers: Eden Lim, Amy Len, Loh Wei Jun, Mun Lee, T.C. Lim

Act.Rest…
Choreographer/Dancer: Albert Tiong

Circle of Unity
Choreographer: Ng Teck Voon
Dancers: Eden Lim, Amy Len, Isaac Lim, T.C. Lim, Mohd Kamaludin Mohd Daud

Second Half

Emceed by Lee Swee Keong, Dance Dedication will be an improvisational session for the dancers to interact with the audience. The Hands Percussion Team and a few local musicians will provide accompaniment while the audience chooses a dance ensemble to do an impromptu dance.

***

CHOREOGRAPHERS’ BIOGRAPHIES

Ong Yong Lock
– Resident in Hong Kong since 1989
– Previously with the Hong Kong Dance Company and City Contemporary Dance Company
– Was artistic director of the South ASLI troupe (1991 – 2001)
– In 2002, founded and is artistic director of Unlock Dancing Plaza
– Recipient a Hong Kong Dance Award in 2002 and now an active member of the performing arts community in Hong Kong

Ng Teck Voon
– Awarded a full scholarship to study at the Central School of Ballet, London
– Was a professional dancer with the Northern Ballet Theatre before moving on to contemporary dance and choreography
– Resident in Europe for the last 15 years, he is now a renowned dancer and choreographer

Albert Tiong
– A graduate of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
– Formerly a professional dancer with Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Taiwan
– Later a principal dancer of Odyssey Dance Theatre, Singapore
– Presently promoting dance education in Malaysia

Ix Wong Thien Pau
– A graduate of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
– Formerly a dancer with the City Contemporary Dance Company, Hong Kong
– Later a rehearsal master for the Arts Fission Dance Company, Singapore
– Recently co-founder and artistic director of Ah Hock and Peng Yu, Singapore

Asia Pacific Performance Exchange (APPEX)

The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Center for Intercultural Performance (CIP) is looking for suitable participants for its upcoming Asia Pacific Performance Exchange (APPEX) Fellowship Program.

As part of APPEX, 16 performing artists of the highest calibre from varying disciplines will be selected through an application process and invited to participate in a six-week residency program.

Selected participants will comprise an equal number of artists from the US and Asia (Malaysia, India, Indonesia and Philippines).

The program will take place in Bali, Indonesia in 2004 and in Los Angeles in 2006.

Judy Mitoma, the director of the APPEX program, will be in Kuala Lumpur from 12-15 November to meet artists (music and dance theatre) who are qualified and wish to apply for this program.

Those wishing to meeting with Judy Mitoma are asked to contact MyDance Alliance at 03-7877 8706 or email contact@mydancealliance.org.

For further information on the APPEX Fellowship program please see: http://www.wac.ucla.edu/cip/appex/index.htm

A Cherry Bludgeoned, A Spirit Crushed

Presented by The Actors Studio and Nyoba Dance +, A Cherry Bludgeoned, A Spirit Crushed tells the story of a woman whose beauty hides a broken heart and a deceiving body.

Directed by Lee Swee Keong, the performance will feature the four male dancers of Nyoba Dance +: Caecar Chong, Kiea Kuan Nam, Ian Yang and Keong himself.

In addition, there will be installation art by Lau Mun Leng, live music and multimedia effects by Goh Lee Kwang and lighting design by Mac Chan.

Dates/Times:
29 November 2003 @ 8.30pm
30 November 2003 @ 3.00pm

Venue: The Actors Studio Bangsar
Bangsar Shopping Center

Tickets: RM 22 (adults) / RM 17 (students)
MyDance Members pay Student rate only!

Contact: 03-20941400 / 0400

A Story About Dance…

Formerly a dancer with Dua Space Dance Theatre, Henry Khor has decided to explore the possibilities of contemporary dance through choreography.

In June 2003, after presenting works in Dance Species (a contemporary dance performance series in Penang) and Dance Species 2, he formed a group called Dance Four Five with several young adults who share his love of the performing arts and choreography.

In A Story About Dance…, Henry has brought together his many experiences of dance and turned them into a series of dance pieces. Through his choreography, you will learn about his passion for Dance.

Dates/Time: 28-29 November 2003 @ 8.30pm

Venue: Komtar Level 5, Auditorium A, Penang

Admission: by donation (minimum RM10)

Contact:
Tan Chin Theng (012-430 7598)
Henry Khor (012-325 2606)
Choy Li Lee (012-560 5336)
Chris (012-213 3641)

Pictures at http://www.geocities.com/dancefourfive/

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A Story About Dance…
Dance is a word that rarely exists in a layperson’s dictionary. However to a dance lover, it is something so strong that they can rarely escape it. Nevertheless, their passion and enthusiasm can sometimes conflict with reality factors like family, career and relationships. They have no choice but to sacrifice their interest.

As dance lovers, we do not want to live a life of regret. We strongly believe that with our passion, we can dance anytime and anywhere with no boundaries or restrictions. To us, the dance and our selves have already merged and exist together.

* PROGRAMME *

Beginning…
The music starts and the dance begins…

Music: ‘Toss The Feathers’ (The Corrs)
Choreographers: Henry Khor & Louise Yow
Dancers: Henry Khor, Louise Yow & Low Poh Chuan

The Game
Busy, Rushed, Competition, Force, Insults, Tension … These are the games of living in the city. Facing them, do you continue with the game, or escape…?

Music: ‘Raining’ (Movie Soundtrack), ‘Libertango’ (Yo Yo Ma)
Choreographer: Henry Khor
Dancers: Henry Khor, Louise Yow, Lee Yen Tian, Low Poh Chuan, Kho Chin Chin & Wong Si Fon

The Voice of Silence
Being single can be fantasy, giving freedom;
But it can also bring loneliness.

Choreographer: Henry Khor
Dancers: Henry Khor, Khang Tsung Hui & Wong Si Fon
Guest Dancer: Tan Chin Theng
Premiere: Dance Species, Penang

Whisper of Her Heart
A whisper came from her heart…
Do you want to hear…?

Music: Karen Mok
Choreographers: Henry Khor & Khang Tsung Hui
Dancers: Khang Tsung Hui, Louise Yow & Kho Chin Chin

Searching
Every search has a process;
Every process has a story…

Music: Galadriel (Annbjorg Lien)
Guest Choreographer: Leng Poh Gee
Co-choreographer: Henry Khor
Dancers: Henry Khor & Louise Yow

A Date
A date, within a dance

Music: Paddy McCarthy (The Corrs), Busindte Reel (Hevia)
Choreographer: Henry Khor
Dancers: Henry Khor, Louise Yow, Lee Yen Tian & Low Poh Chuan
Premiere: Dance Species 2, Penang

***

Dance Four Five
Dance Four Five takes its name from a team of 4 or 5 people. While an individual’s strength is limited and a couple’s is stronger, a team of 4 or 5 can do wonders. Dance Four Five want to use this wonderful strength to express their love towards dance.

Their aim – to enjoy dancing and choreographing without boundary or restriction. Though wild at times, they are nevertheless real. They hope their sincerity and effort will be recognised in the local performing arts.

Henry Khor, Artistic Director and Choreographer
Penang-born Henry graduated from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak with a BA (Hons) in Design Technology. He is currently an Interactive Designer at a leading Training Consultancy Organization in Kuala Lumpur.

Henry began his dance training with the Penang Hui Yin Seah Dance Group. Trained in ballet and Chinese traditional dance, he also studied modern contemporary dance under Charlie Tan. He has performed in numerous Malaysian Chinese Dance Festivals.

In 1995, he entered the National School Level Dance Competition with his first choreography, ‘Exam Time’. He presented his second choreography, ‘Dance! Life! Love!’, at the first dance performance by Eastern Dancers.

In 2000 Henry joined Dua Space Dance Theatre where he trained under Anthony Meh and Aman Yap. With this company he performed in the ‘New_Generation_Dancers’ performance, the ‘Dance Talk’ arts education/promotion series, the Mines Interactive Square Malaysia Arts Festival weeks as well as the show, ‘Soulless Souls’, in Singapore.

He participated in a number of major dance festivals in Malaysia including ‘The First MyDance Festival 2001’ and the ‘Rhythm of Dance’ Malaysian Chinese Dance Festival.

Recently, Henry decided to further explore the possibilities of contemporary dance by concentrating on choreography. At the end of 2002, he presented ‘The Voice of Silence’ in Dance Species followed by ‘A Date’ in Dance Species 2.

In June 2003 Henry formed Dance Four Five together with a few friends with the same interest and passion for the performing arts.

Henry’s choreography includes: ‘Exam Time’, ‘Wild City’, ‘A Waiting’, ‘Dance! Life! Emotion!’, ‘Quartet = Story’ (in collaboration with Leng Poh Gee, and Teresa Chian Li Kim), ‘The Voice of Silence’ and ‘A Date’.

Festival of Dance VI: Heartbeat

The Dance Society of Malaysia is organising a charity performance in aid of the Heart Foundation of Malaysia, entitled Festival of Dance VI: Heartbeat.

It will feature over 250 ballet students from seventeen ballet schools in the Klang Valley, Malacca and Perak, in works ranging from classical ballet to jazz dance, tap and contemporary dance.

The Dance Society is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting local ballet talent while providing a platform for performances by talented dancers.

Formed in 1984, the Heart Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation dedicated to educating the public on heart and circulatory diseases. Currently run from small wooden premises in Jalan Kia Peng, it is seeking RM5 million for new premises to be located off Lorong Gurney.

Venue:
Securities Commission Auditorium
Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur

Dates/Times:
6 December 2003 @ 8.30 pm: Gala Performance
7 December 2003 @ 3.00pm (full!)
7 December 2003 @ 8.30pm (places limited)

Admission: by donation

Enquiries:
Sunny/Helen (03-4257 0290)
Sri Wilayah Ballet Center (03-7728 0254)
Federal Academy of Ballet (03-7957 3413)
The Heart Foundation of Malaysia (03-2143 4709)

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Gala Performance Programme
Obsession – Ellie Zhou Ballet Studio (Classical Ballet)
Perform This – Aurora Ballet School (Contemporary)
Red Hot – Federal Academy of Ballet (Jazz)
Winter Dreams – Aurora Ballet School (Contemporary)
Flamenco Fling – Sri Wilayah Ballet Center
Sleeping Beauty Act 3 – Ellie Zhou Ballet Studio (Classical Ballet)
Le Reine de Saba – Federal Academy of Ballet (Classical Ballet)
Breakaway – Sri Wilayah Ballet Center (Contemporary)
The Quartet – 4 winners of previous Solo Ballet Competitions
Fiesta – Dance Xpress

Jazz Dance Workshops

The Celestar Studio of Performing Arts (CsoPA) is organising a series of jazz dance workshops:

5 December 2003 (Friday)
7.00pm – 8.00pm: MTV Style (all levels)
8.00pm – 9.30pm: Technique (Intermediate Jazz 1 & above)

6 December 2003 (Saturday)
6.00pm – 7.30pm: Character Jazz (all levels)
7.30pm – 9.00pm: Technique (Intermediate Jazz 1 & above)

7 December 2003 (Sunday)
2.00pm – 3.30pm: Las Vegas Jazz (all levels)
3.30pm – 5.00pm: Technique (Intermediate Jazz 1 & above)
5.15pm – 6.15pm: Discussion

Fees:
RM 100.00 for all workshops
RM 75.00 for 3 – 5 workshops
RM 50.00 for 2 workshops
RM 35.00 for 1 workshop

In addition:
6 December 2003 (Saturday)
4.00pm – 5.00pm: Make-up Workshop
Fee: RM 25.00

10% discount for CSoPA Society members.

The number of participants is limited and priority given on a first come first served basis.

Reservation confirmed only upon payment.
All cheques to be crossed and made payable to ‘Celestar Studio Of Performing Arts Sdn Bhd’

For reservation & information, contact: 013-371 0862 / 012-377 0844

Adult Tap & Jazz Class

As of 2 December 2003, Wendy’s Dance Center will be offering two new adult classes in tap and jazz.

Tap (beginners)
Tuesdays @ 6.30pm – 7.30pm

Jazz (some experience recommended but beginners welcome)
Tuesdays @ 8.30pm – 10.00pm

Venue:
Wendy’s Dance Center (above Vitya Curry House)
11-2-1 Desa Danau Business Center
Jalan 3/109F, Taman Desa
58100 Kuala Lumpur

Contact: 016-277 2727 (Sally)