Also this issue:

Reflections
Beth Lipman uses glass to recreate and redefine artwork of the past.
-Robin Rice

High School Reunion
-Jim Weaver

Bill T. Jones
-Deni Kasrel

Sounds Like Progress
-Juliet Fletcher

My Lord, What a Morning
-David Anthony Fox

April 11-17, 2002

dance

H.T. Chen

Dance

H. T. Chen has been described as a "choreographer with the instincts of a sociologist," but that doesn't mean his dance "Bian Dan," which he presents this weekend at Painted Bride, is some dry academic exercise. You'll recognize the bian dan when you see them -- they're the long poles used in China to carry heavy loads. Merging Chinese culture in American dances is Chen's specialty, one that comes naturally to someone born in Singapore, raised in Taiwan and trained in America. He freely adds the magic of Chinese opera, martial arts and folk dance -- and even bamboo poles -- to modern-dance technique. He also likes to include nonprofessionals in his dances, and "Bian Dan" does that as well. Chen has been in Philly over the last few months, along with his eight-member troupe, working with children and adults at the Holy Redeemer School, the On Lok House and the Chinatown Learning Center. Local participants, including a whole slew of charming kids, from each of these places will be onstage and performing in "Bian Dan." And yes, there will be bamboo poles that Chen has choreographed to be used to make music, to create shapes on stage -- and even to form Chinese calligraphy figures.

Thu.-Sat., April 11-13, 8 p.m., $6-$20, Painted Bride, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914, www.paintedbride.org.

÷Janet Anderson

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April 11, 2002
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