Asian culture takes the spotlight in the second annual Spring Performing Arts Festival taking place on Saturday, June 8, 2019 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Southampton Cultural Center (SCC) in Southampton Village, NY. Part workshop, part theater and part culinary experience, the Spring Performing Arts Festival presents a slice of culture from a variety of Asian cultures including those based in China, the Philippines and India. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children and students under 21 years old.
The Spring Performing Arts Festival opens with visual workshops for children from 3 to 5 p.m. which include introductions to Chinese Sugar Art, Indian Henna Painting and Chinese Kung Fu. The Asian Guqin, a seven-string plucked instrument from the zither family, will be performed to create peaceful Mountain music. Colorful Philippine textiles will be on display as part of the festival to demonstrate the textile arts.
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A musician holds a Guqin. Courtesy Douglas Elliman.
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At 5 p.m., live performances take over the Avram Theater at SCC. The evening opens with a Chinese Lion Dance followed by Philippine dances, Tea Art, Kong Fu and Guqin music. The finale will be unique Chinese Face Changing.
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Chinese Dragon Dancers. Photo courtesy Douglas Elliman.
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Philippine Dances present the most distinctive component of this year’s festival. Colorful costumes and ornaments enhance the dancer’s appearance whose bell anklets and rhythmic steps provide the sole accompaniment to punctuate their movements.
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Philipine Artists perform. Photo courtesy Douglas Elliman.
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Another highlight is the Chinese Face Changer, a major crowd pleaser in Asia, Europe and the United States, according to the Asian Cultural Alliance. It's also a source of intense fascination for both children and adults. Known as “Bian Lian” in Chinese, "face changing" was initially an important aspect of the Chinese Sichuan Opera, where the performers used performative techniques on stage to change characters and dramatically transformed passage into a special art with stunning skills.
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Face Changing will be performed at the Spring Performing Arts Festival at Southampton Cultural Center on June 8, 2019. Photo courtesy Douglas Elliman.
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The festival will end with a “Taste of Asia” food reception from 6 to 7 p.m. Attendants can mingle with the performers while enjoying Asian fare. A cooking demonstration on Philippine cuisine will also take place, sponsored by the Philippine Consulate.
The Spring Performing Arts Festival is presented by the Asian Cultural Alliance. The organization was founded to promote the performing arts and culture as a means of expressing tolerance, respect and benevolence toward all nationalities that exist in our area. The group recognizes that language differences can create cultural barriers which can be broken down and create unity through the visual and performing arts.
Major sponsors of the festival are Douglas Elliman Real Estate Corporation and Citizen Bank.
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Dancers perform. Photo courtesy Douglas Elliman.
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BASIC FACTS: Spring Performing Arts Festival takes place on Saturday, June 8, 2019 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Southampton Cultural Center, 25 Pond Lane, Southampton, NY. 11968. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children and students under 21 years old. Click here to purchase online. Tickets are also available at the door. www.scc-arts.org.
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