Language of dance

While most kids would have to be dragged into a school in August, summer showers could not dampen the spirits of about 200 parents and children who crowded the auditorium of a Bayside Middle School on Friday, August 10.
The scene was the annual class performance by the summer program of the Asian American Coalition for Education, held at M.S. 158 on Oceania Street, which the group had transformed into an art gallery and illuminated performance space.
In addition to the parents and the children, Gao Zhen Jie, Consul for the People’s Republic of China, State Senator Frank Padavan, representatives for Councilmember John Liu, Comptroller William C. Thompson and other officials were present, and addressed the audience.
“We have trips and classes about Asian culture,” said coalition director Luming Li. “But we’re for all children,” she said, glancing in the direction of a small knot of ethnic dancers, some who could have come from India, Africa or Europe instead of China.
Padavan praised the group, saying, “I think it’s great that the Coalition has this summer program for all the children of the borough, who can have a very productive summer.”
The multicultural flavor was also evident in displays of artwork, which included displays of traditional Asian brush-and-ink painting, the more familiar school-type watercolor, sculpture, essays and poetry.
The photo exhibits of outings and trips were testimony to the universal nature of childhood; broad smiles, horseplay and funny faces always in evidence.
Of course, the main attraction was the stage performance, for which the kids waited more or less patiently through seven speeches and seven translations.
While the program included a violin solo, martial arts displays, poetry readings and other oral presentations, it began, ended and was dominated by dance.
Instructor Bianca Chen was a traditional dancer before emigrating from China three years ago.
“I’ve exploring other forms since I got here,” the Jackson Heights resident said. “In our classes we practice the traditional ‘fan dance’ and Dai Zu, which is from southern China,” she explained, adding, “The children love the dances, and I love teaching them.”
“Dance is like an international language,” she said, before cautioning her charges to remain quiet, as the speeches went on.