PORT ANGELES — The Golden Dragon Acrobats will combine award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, colorful costumes, and ancient and contemporary music and theatrical techniques in a two-hour spectacular in Port Angeles tonight.
The 25-member troupe from the People’s Republic of China will perform Cirque Ziva from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Port Angeles High School Performing Arts Center, 304 E. Park Ave.
Tickets are $38, $28 and $18; with youth 14 and younger admitted for free. They are available online at the website of the Juan de Fuca Foundation, which is hosting the performance, jffa.org or Port Book and News in Port Angeles or Joyful Noise Music in Sequim.
They also will be sold at the door.
The Golden Dragon Acrobats are athletes, actors and artists who have studied and trained for their craft since early childhood. In the shows by impresario Danny Chang and his wife, choreographer Angela Chang, they represent a tradition that began more than 25 centuries ago.
“With the spectacular Cirque Ziva they cement their well-earned reputation as the premiere Chinese acrobatic company touring the world today,” organizers said.
Lien Chi Chang established the Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats in 1967 with his family whose members included Danny Chang, his sister and other students.
From 1967 to 1984, Lien Chi Chang led the company to numerous performances in different nations. Danny Chang was later chosen by the National Acrobats Troupe of the Republic of China to lead the various world tours produced by the acrobat school in Taiwan, according to a press release.
After more than 17 years of apprenticeship under his dad and several years of world tours, Danny Chang was ready to step up as the president of the Golden Dragon Acrobats when Lien Chi Chang accepted the head coaching job at the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts, according to the release.
His first goal was to reorganize the company from a small group to a world-renowned production company. He chose the United States of America as his starting point. With Bill Fegan’s assistance, the Golden Dragon Acrobats debuted in 1985, according to the release.
“Today, the Golden Dragon Acrobats have been recognized as the pre-eminent Chinese acrobatic company in the United States,” according to the group’s website at www.golden dragon acrobats. com.
The Golden Dragon Acrobats — a 25-member troupe from the People’s Republic of China — will perform Cirque Ziva in Port Angeles tonight.
The Golden Dragon Acrobats represent a tradition that began more than 25 centuries ago.
