Chinese Dance Appreciation Lecture Series

This six-part lecture series explores the historical roots and aesthetic dimensions of traditional Chinese dance from a variety of perspectives. Audiences will be guided through its diverse genres, gaining a deeper appreciation for the art form’s richness and its profound connection with broader Chinese cultural traditions. Through this journey, participants will come to experience its beauty, rhythm, and spirit in full. 12 January 2026 (Mon) Tracing a Long Tradition of Chinese Dance This session offers a brief history of ancient Chinese dance with a guided appreciation of classics through video excerpts, to illustrate the connections between dance and traditional Chinese cultural art forms. 15 January 2026 (Thu) Yin and Yang in Motion # This session offers a brief history of Chinese classical dance and the aesthetic philosophy behind the genre, with guided appreciation of the unique physical dynamics of form. 19 January 2026 (Mon) Vigour and Grace in Motion # This session will be a guided appreciation of the types of Chinese classical dance, highlighting the unique features and cultural characteristics such as the use of the sword and the fan, the fluidity of the ‘water sleeves’, and Dunhuang dances. 22 January 2026 (Thu) The Vernacular Charm of Chinese Folk Dance # This session will be a guided appreciation of representative folk dances of the Han Chinese, including Northeastern Yangge, Shandong Yangge, Anhui drum lantern dance and Guangdong Yingge, as we explore the rich local customs and human landscapes that shaped them. 26 January 2026 (Mon) A Tapestry of Ethnic Traditions # This session will be a guided appreciation of iconic minority ethnic dances in China – Tibetan, Mongolian, Uyghur, Korean and Dai. We will see how these dances reflect the distinct customs, landscapes, and aesthetics of each ethnic group. 29 January 2026 (Thu) Chinese Dance Diaspora In this session, we take a look at the development of Chinese dance in Hong Kong with stakeholders of the dance sector as we share the visions of professional dance companies, educational institutions, community organizations, and independent producers. We will also explore the integration and innovation of Chinese dance within the context of local culture and how it maintains its unique charm in the whirlpool of cultures from the East and the West. #With live dance demonstration and music accompaniment Conducted in Putonghua Free Seating Each lecture will run for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. (Information provided by the speaker)