Reflections on China

From Artistic Director Trey McIntyre:

As we fly away from Chengdu, it's shocking to realize that we're already three weeks into this amazing tour.

China was another jam-packed week with performances in both Guangzhou and Chengdu. We began with a very warm welcome from the students of the Guangzhou Ballet Academy, whose dancers were all gifted with near perfect ballet facility.

Ben taught them a section from Ma Maison--inspired by New Orleans, Louisiana, literally half a world away for them--and they embraced the new experience with excitement, humility, and vigor.

In Chengdu, we did a lecture demonstration for the students at Sichuan Normal University, followed by an afternoon of master classes.

On Saturday, we visited the home of the Giant Pandas, visited the Chengdu International S.O.S. Children's Village, and were guests of the Sichuan Provincial People's Association at an amazing dinner with live traditional music and an overflowing bottle of baijiu.

The embassies in every city have been amazing and made our visits truly special.

(As always, more photos--check out the pandas--at treymcintyre.com/blog. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, too.)

Learning, Dancing, and Eating in Guangzhou, China

Guangzhou is a huge city with a population of 14 million and it isn't even the largest city in China.

We were so lucky to get a day off in Guangzhou and we were invited to join in a Tai Chi class led by a Tai Chi master. Some of us got up early and headed to Martyrs' Park for the class. When we arrived, we discovered that the people who take the class every morning had prepared three dances for us: a fan dance, a sword dance, and a traditional Tai Chi dance. It was amazing--we were inspired to start doing Tai Chi in Ann Morrison Park when we get home to Boise. 

After they danced for us, they asked if we would do something for them. We performed a SpUrban and, suddenly, we were surrounded by people from the park. It was an incredible spontaneous moment of cultural exchange. 

Trey McIntyre Project is the first American dance company asked to be guests at the Guangzhou Art School and we were so honored to be invited. When we arrived, we saw a huge banner welcoming us to the school. We taught a master class to some of the students. The students live at the school year round and it is the home of the Guangzhou Ballet Troupe. We taught a master class to some of the students. 

Later, we had a show in Guangzhou, where we shared the stage with both the Art School students and the Guangzhou Ballet. The students are studying Chinese folk dance and they were amazing. They take such pride in their culture and that showed in every step of their performance. It was so cool to see. 

TMP and students of the Guangzhou Art School

We were also introduced to the "angry noodle guy" at a shop in Guangzhou. A bowl of noodles and a beer costs about $2.25 and we were entertained by the owner of the shop, who walks around yelling at employees and clients alike.

 

TMP's Ben Behrends, Chanel DaSilva, Lauren Edson, and Travis Walker
enjoying inexpensive eats in Guangzhou, China. 

We are thankful for our time in Guangzhou and all the people who made that time so special.