Facing East Dance & Music is holding the final two performances of HELD SO CLOSE…remembering the poets of Angel Island this weekend. It’s being held at the McKenna Theatre at San Francisco State University at 8:00 pm on Saturday (9/20) and 7:00 pm on Sunday (9/21). Prices are $22 general admission and $18 for students/seniors.
“Two years in the making, FEDM presents their third multimedia, dance and live music production exploring the emotions of Chinese immigrants held at Angel Island’s Immigration Station during 1910-1940. Choreography/Direction by Sue Li Jue, music composed by Jeff Chan, sets by Richard Jue, costumes by Colleen Quen, text by Lisa Wallgren Okuhn, video by Robert Yee, projections by Thomas Wong, sound by Ryan Drury and lighting by Cecily Chow.”
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Angel Island and its place in the history of the United States, please see my earlier report when I visited the Ellis Island of the West.
Here are some photos taken during the tech rehearsal this past Thursday and from performances on Friday and Sunday evening. The photos don’t do the performance any justice. You’ve got to see it in person!
So, if you’ve got Saturday and Sunday free this weekend, we hope that you’ll be able to come! I’ll be attending the Sunday showing, so if you come, be sure to come up and say hello!
Before we get to the photos, check out what Rita Felciano, dance critic for the San Francisco Bay Guardian had to say about one of Rae’s pieces:
“In the poignant “Iron Knot,” Frances Cachapero duets with the female warrior from Chinese mythology – danced by Rae Chang – she dreams of being. Wushu-trained Chang uses powerful sword thrusts, long lines, and grounded turns to hurl Cachapero (who gives one of the strongest performances of her career) into spastic outbursts of helpless rage. Colleen Quen’s generally excellent costumes – lean and black for Chang, white and rumpled for Cachapero – are particularly appropriate.”
tow.com 