Saturday, Aug. 9
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Chinese Music Ensemble of New York
Founded in 1961, the Chinese Music Ensemble is the oldest, largest and only full-scale Chinese orchestra in the Americas. Its present membership of almost fifty musicians plays almost every type of Chinese musical instruments. Its repertory ranges from ancient classical to modern compositions spanning some fifteen hundred years of history as well as folk music of various regional or ethnic groups in China. For this performance an ensemble group of strings, wind and percussion instruments presents a program of ancient classical and folk must of China.
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Dragon Dancing team and musicians of Yee’s Hung-Ga Kung-Fu Academy welcome dignitaries and community leaders to officially open the Thirteenth Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York.
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Ballet Los Pampas
Ballet Los Pampas combines folklore, musical selections and the legendary Argentine dance form of tango in a stunning program described by the New York Times as “exhilarating”.
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Shaolin Kung Fu performance by Monks and students of Flushing’s Shaolin Temple Martial Arts troupe. In the history of the Shaolin Temple, generation after generation of monk generals and soldiers have demonstrated their paramount feats of arm, and waged glorious battles. The Monk soldiers were at first an armed group set up by the Shaolin Temple for protecting the temple from wars and riots of the society.
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Ballet Foklorico Mexicano de Nueva York Ballet Company
This ballet company, founded in 1983, is New York City’s first formally organized Mexican folklorico dance company. They promote and preserve the beautiful public display of Mexico’s diverse cultural heritage through their performances.
Sunday, Aug. 10
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Chinese Drum Spirit
Ensemble music with multiple drums (gu), gongs (Luo), temple blocks (muyu), cymbals (ba), zithers (zheng), flutes (dizi) and lutes (pipa) delivers powerful, driving spirit and rhythmic vitality. The Drum Spirit of China was conceived and founded in 1997 by Charles Tang, principal of the Renaissance Music and Arts School. Its members include Juilliard trained musicians as well as traditional Chinese instrumentalists.
11 a.m. to noon
QuasiLulu featuring Rona Figueroa lead singer and songwriter
This six-person group is essentially an American Alt-rock group with a splash of playful punk. Original without falling into avant-garde, the songs are hummable and catchy. Rona Figueroa is a seasoned performer who has played leads in Miss Saigon and Les Miserables on Broadway. Currently she is in the Broadway cast of “Nine” starring Antonia Banderas.
Noon to 1 p.m.
The New York Chinese Cultural Center.
A leader in the downtown arts community for over twenty-five years and home to the acclaimed Chinese Folk Dance Company, the dance & movement will include popular folk and ethnic Chinese Dances.
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Shaolin Kung Fu performance by Monks and students of Flushing’s Shaolin Temple Martial Arts troupe. In the history of the Shaolin Temple, generation after generation of monk generals and soldiers have demonstrated their paramount feats of arm, and waged glorious battles. The Monk soldiers were at first an armed group set up by the Shaolin Temple for protecting the temple from wars and riots of the society.
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Riff Raff Ragtime
Lead by Damien Bassman on drums, this ensemble group of banjo, clarinet, trumpet, bass and drums performs the all American genre of New Orleans Jazz and Dixieland tunes.
