The 17th Guangdong Dance Festival is set to take place between November 15th and 21st in Guangzhou, showcasing 40 modern dance works presented by about 200 dancers and choreographers from 23 cities and regions across the country, including Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macao.

The poster of the 17th Guangdong Dance Festival (Photo provided to Newsgd.com)

The 7-day festival is made up of performances onstage and in the community as well as live streaming. A total of 28 modern dance works will be showcased on the stage at the Guangdong Arts Theater and the Guangdong Modern Dance Company’s (GMDC) theatre.

The festival’s opening ceremony will be held at the Guangdong Arts Theater on the evening of November 15th, featuring GMDC’s brand new modern dance work “SHENG”. The dance is choreographed by national first-level choreographer Liu Qi who has been invited to perform in more than 20 countries and regions on five continents over the years.

A stage photo of modern dance “SHENG” (Photo provided to Newsgd.com)

“Best before” choreographed by Li Chao will have its national premiere during the festival. The dance piece is about the concept of time, with gradual transition from white to black, exploring “What is time? Does time exist? At what moment do you feel time intensively? What would time be like if it is embodied? How long is an instant?”

A stage photo of modern dance “Best before” (Photo provided to Newsgd.com)

The closing ceremony will feature modern dance “Wild Flower”, the second collaboration between China’s choreographer-dancer Jin Xing and Dutch avant-garde choreographer Arthur Kuggeleyn. When speaking of the dance, artistic director Jin Xing explained that "Wild Flower" is an attitude existence, bright, with strong expressionism spirit, and never bows to mediocrity.

A stage photo of modern dance “Wild Flower” (Photo provided to Newsgd.com)

In addition, you will be able to meet with Shen Wei, founder of GMDC, to explore modern dance creation at the Experimental Theater of Guangzhou Opera House on the morning of November 16th.

During the festival, dancers from Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Zhengzhou will also visit local communities to perform seven site-specific dances outdoors. Don’t miss out.

Established in 2004, the annual Guangdong Dance Festival has become an internationally renowned platform for young and emerging artists from China as well as international dance innovators. This year’s festival forms part of the 14th Guangdong Art Festival and is presented by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province, and organized by Guangdong Xinghai Performing Arts Group and Guangdong Modern Dance Company (GMDC).

Scan the QR code to watch the dance festival online.

GMDC (广东现代舞团)

Add.: No. 13 Shuiyin Heng Road, Shaheding, Guangzhou (广州市沙河顶水荫横路13号)

Nearest metro station: Line 6, Shaheding Station (Use Exit A)

Tel: +86-20-8704 9512

Author | Monica

Editor | Jerry