In Dance

VANTAGE, a highly anticipated, high energy cross-cultural celebration through dance, diversity, and positive dialog debuts at the OCD Theater in San Francisco, California, April 7 – 10. Presented by ZiRu Dance — a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) non-profit dance company founded by Philein Wang — VANTAGE was created as a catalyst for social justice, inclusion, and community.

An acclaimed dancer choreographer, Wang, Artistic Director at ZiRu Dance, describes VANTAGE as sitting at the intersection of movement, technology, cultural identity and most importantly — social justice. “VANTAGE is a vibrant collaborative effort from four distinct cultural vantage points, including Asian American, African American, Mixed Race, and LatinX,” she points out.

Nearly a year in the making, VANTAGE features the soaring artistry of four top choreographers, each one depicting their cultural heritage, including Wang, representing Chinese/Taiwanese Americans, Christian Burns, European Caucasian/mixed race (HAPA), Winifred Harris, African Americans, and Alejandro Perez, LatinX. “They’re not only gifted artists, but they believe deeply in our overarching vision for VANTAGE, having either experienced racial injustice, or known somebody who has,” she added. “I love that they’re optimistic about their lives, their communities, and the future!”

VANTAGE was conceived during the pandemic when Wang, who was born in Michigan to Taiwanese and Chinese parents, became alarmed by the dramatic upswing in Xenophic slurs, assaults and hate crimes on individuals of Asian descent. “Most Asian Americans are encouraged to remain silent about such incidents, myself included. But as hatred and violent behavior spread during the pandemic, I became frightened for my children’s future,” explains Wang, a former dancer at the renowned Cloudgate Dance Theater of Taiwan.

She says a pivotal moment occurred when a neighbor visiting Napa with his family was “flipped off” by a white couple for no reason. “I was shocked, especially given the area,” she said. “Here we were locked down, no way to travel to another country, and social injustices were occurring all over. I needed to do something, so I reached out to my network encouraging people to share their stories and report any issues to authorities. And that was the start of VANTAGE.”

Wang, who’s innovative artform combines modern dance, ballet, Chinese martial arts (wushu) and Tai Chi, says VANTAGE is a joyful labor of love. “It’s only when we share our stories, and advocate for change peacefully, can we end the cycle of silence and injustice,” concluded Wang, who studied at the famous Beijing Ballet Academy and has performed/choreographed worldwide.

She added that each dance performance will be followed by a moderated panel discussion with all four cultures represented by their respective choreographers, along with several special guests. “There will also be a Q&A session for the audience and information about advocacy groups in hopes of building a significant grassroots coalition through the arts.”

Discounted Tickets available Here.

[ID: Montage photo of ZiRu Dance/Sharon Kung & Fabiana Santiago. Header text says Vantage , presented by ZiRu Dance. Centered underneath the images reads the dates and times of performances. Left side reads choreography by Philein Wang, Christian Burns, Winifred Harris, Alejandro Perez. Right side reads ODC Theater address]

VANTAGE, a highly anticipated, high energy cross-cultural celebration through dance, diversity, and positive dialog debuts at the OCD Theater in San Francisco, California, April 7 – 10. Presented by ZiRu Dance — a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) non-profit dance company founded by Philein Wang — VANTAGE was created as a catalyst for social justice, inclusion, and community.

An acclaimed dancer choreographer, Wang, Artistic Director at ZiRu Dance, describes VANTAGE as sitting at the intersection of movement, technology, cultural identity and most importantly — social justice. “VANTAGE is a vibrant collaborative effort from four distinct cultural vantage points, including Asian American, African American, Mixed Race, and LatinX,” she points out.

Nearly a year in the making, VANTAGE features the soaring artistry of four top choreographers, each one depicting their cultural heritage, including Wang, representing Chinese/Taiwanese Americans, Christian Burns, European Caucasian/mixed race (HAPA), Winifred Harris, African Americans, and Alejandro Perez, LatinX. “They’re not only gifted artists, but they believe deeply in our overarching vision for VANTAGE, having either experienced racial injustice, or known somebody who has,” she added. “I love that they’re optimistic about their lives, their communities, and the future!”

VANTAGE was conceived during the pandemic when Wang, who was born in Michigan to Taiwanese and Chinese parents, became alarmed by the dramatic upswing in Xenophic slurs, assaults and hate crimes on individuals of Asian descent. “Most Asian Americans are encouraged to remain silent about such incidents, myself included. But as hatred and violent behavior spread during the pandemic, I became frightened for my children’s future,” explains Wang, a former dancer at the renowned Cloudgate Dance Theater of Taiwan.

She says a pivotal moment occurred when a neighbor visiting Napa with his family was “flipped off” by a white couple for no reason. “I was shocked, especially given the area,” she said. “Here we were locked down, no way to travel to another country, and social injustices were occurring all over. I needed to do something, so I reached out to my network encouraging people to share their stories and report any issues to authorities. And that was the start of VANTAGE.”

Wang, who’s innovative artform combines modern dance, ballet, Chinese martial arts (wushu) and Tai Chi, says VANTAGE is a joyful labor of love. “It’s only when we share our stories, and advocate for change peacefully, can we end the cycle of silence and injustice,” concluded Wang, who studied at the famous Beijing Ballet Academy and has performed/choreographed worldwide.

She added that each dance performance will be followed by a moderated panel discussion with all four cultures represented by their respective choreographers, along with several special guests. “There will also be a Q&A session for the audience and information about advocacy groups in hopes of building a significant grassroots coalition through the arts.”

Discounted Tickets available Here.

[ID: Montage photo of ZiRu Dance/Sharon Kung & Fabiana Santiago. Header text says Vantage , presented by ZiRu Dance. Centered underneath the images reads the dates and times of performances. Left side reads choreography by Philein Wang, Christian Burns, Winifred Harris, Alejandro Perez. Right side reads ODC Theater address]

VANTAGE, a highly anticipated, high energy cross-cultural celebration through dance, diversity, and positive dialog debuts at the OCD Theater in San Francisco, California, April 7 – 10. Presented by ZiRu Dance — a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) non-profit dance company founded by Philein Wang — VANTAGE was created as a catalyst for social justice, inclusion, and community.

An acclaimed dancer choreographer, Wang, Artistic Director at ZiRu Dance, describes VANTAGE as sitting at the intersection of movement, technology, cultural identity and most importantly — social justice. “VANTAGE is a vibrant collaborative effort from four distinct cultural vantage points, including Asian American, African American, Mixed Race, and LatinX,” she points out.

Nearly a year in the making, VANTAGE features the soaring artistry of four top choreographers, each one depicting their cultural heritage, including Wang, representing Chinese/Taiwanese Americans, Christian Burns, European Caucasian/mixed race (HAPA), Winifred Harris, African Americans, and Alejandro Perez, LatinX. “They’re not only gifted artists, but they believe deeply in our overarching vision for VANTAGE, having either experienced racial injustice, or known somebody who has,” she added. “I love that they’re optimistic about their lives, their communities, and the future!”

VANTAGE was conceived during the pandemic when Wang, who was born in Michigan to Taiwanese and Chinese parents, became alarmed by the dramatic upswing in Xenophic slurs, assaults and hate crimes on individuals of Asian descent. “Most Asian Americans are encouraged to remain silent about such incidents, myself included. But as hatred and violent behavior spread during the pandemic, I became frightened for my children’s future,” explains Wang, a former dancer at the renowned Cloudgate Dance Theater of Taiwan.

She says a pivotal moment occurred when a neighbor visiting Napa with his family was “flipped off” by a white couple for no reason. “I was shocked, especially given the area,” she said. “Here we were locked down, no way to travel to another country, and social injustices were occurring all over. I needed to do something, so I reached out to my network encouraging people to share their stories and report any issues to authorities. And that was the start of VANTAGE.”

Wang, who’s innovative artform combines modern dance, ballet, Chinese martial arts (wushu) and Tai Chi, says VANTAGE is a joyful labor of love. “It’s only when we share our stories, and advocate for change peacefully, can we end the cycle of silence and injustice,” concluded Wang, who studied at the famous Beijing Ballet Academy and has performed/choreographed worldwide.

She added that each dance performance will be followed by a moderated panel discussion with all four cultures represented by their respective choreographers, along with several special guests. “There will also be a Q&A session for the audience and information about advocacy groups in hopes of building a significant grassroots coalition through the arts.”

Discounted Tickets available Here.

[ID: Montage photo of ZiRu Dance/Sharon Kung & Fabiana Santiago. Header text says Vantage , presented by ZiRu Dance. Centered underneath the images reads the dates and times of performances. Left side reads choreography by Philein Wang, Christian Burns, Winifred Harris, Alejandro Perez. Right side reads ODC Theater address]

Smuin Contemporary Ballet wraps up its 28th season with the vibrant program, Dance Series 2: P.S. Forever Smuin, featuring four diverse ballets from established dancemakers and rising choreographic voices, with performances in San Francisco, Mountain View, and Carmel. Audiences will be delighted by the return of acclaimed dancemaker Val Caniparoli’s playful Confessions, an inventive work that weaves a captivating narrative set to a compelling soundtrack by American contemporary classical composer Nico Muhly and Faroese singer/songwriter Teitur. Also on the bill is Amy Seiwert’s Renaissance, a powerful dance loosely inspired by the 385-mile “Women’s Wall” protest in India to create awareness of gender equality, set to an empowering a cappella soundtrack by Oakland’s Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble. Smuin artists Tessa Barbour and Brennan Wall will also expand their creations presented in the 2021 Choreography Showcase and in last spring’s “Smuin al Fresco” program, premiering these new works on the company’s mainstage. This program will also be offered as a virtual on-demand streaming option beginning in late May and running for several weeks.

“Unearthed” is a dance and music production that excavates the stories of forgotten voices in the Hindu epic, Ramayana. Bringing forth diverse perspectives, we examine these stories in a modern context, relating them to current social and political themes. Using the idiom of Indian Contemporary dance movement, music and narration, “Unearthed” brings together a cast of South Asian artists,  directed by Amit Patel & Ishika Seth.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet wraps up its 28th season with the vibrant program, Dance Series 2: P.S. Forever Smuin, featuring four diverse ballets from established dancemakers and rising choreographic voices, with performances in San Francisco, Mountain View, and Carmel. Audiences will be delighted by the return of acclaimed dancemaker Val Caniparoli’s playful Confessions, an inventive work that weaves a captivating narrative set to a compelling soundtrack by American contemporary classical composer Nico Muhly and Faroese singer/songwriter Teitur. Also on the bill is Amy Seiwert’s Renaissance, a powerful dance loosely inspired by the 385-mile “Women’s Wall” protest in India to create awareness of gender equality, set to an empowering a cappella soundtrack by Oakland’s Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble. Smuin artists Tessa Barbour and Brennan Wall will also expand their creations presented in the 2021 Choreography Showcase and in last spring’s “Smuin al Fresco” program, premiering these new works on the company’s mainstage. This program will also be offered as a virtual on-demand streaming option beginning in late May and running for several weeks.