Students from Beijing’s Capital Normal University to performn at UB

Students from the colleges of Music and Fine Arts at Capital Normal University (CNU) in Beijing, China, will present “Dance of Youth: Charm of China,” a showcase of Chinese arts and culture, at 7 p.m. Sept. 17 in the Drama Theater in the Center for the Arts, North Campus.

The program features music and dance pieces in a variety of traditional and contemporary styles, including selections from the Peking Opera’s “The Battle of Mount Dingjun.”

“Dance of Youth: Charm of China” is presented in partnership with UB’s Confucius Institute. The event is free and open to the public.

“Capital Normal University has sent many touring groups to UB throughout the years of our partnership,” says Zhiqiang Liu, associate professor of economics and director of UB’s Confucius Institute. “The talented CNU students always present a fantastic performance for our Buffalo audience. It is one of the highlights of the Confucius Institute’s cultural programming.”

In addition to their performance at the CFA, the touring students will present two abbreviated programs of their show on Sept. 18 at City Honors School and Elmwood Franklin School.

Both schools have been designated as “Confucius Classrooms” affiliated with UB’s Confucius Institute, which makes them eligible for annual grant funding provided by Confucius Institute headquarters in China.

Now in its ninth year, the UB Confucius Institute supports China-related teaching, research and artistic production at UB, Chinese language instruction at UB and in local schools, and cultural events that foster a better understanding of Chinese traditions and contemporary culture in the community.

The performance by students from Capital Normal University is the first in a two-week series of events sponsored by the UB Confucius Institute leading up to “Confucius Institute Day” on Sept. 30.