Celebrating a tradition that is thousands of years old, the Canton Commission for Culture Arts and Heritage’s Multicultural Committee will host the 2018 Chinese Spring Festival at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill on Saturday, March 17, 2018, starting at 7 p.m.
Joining the festivities providing main stage entertainment are choral performances by: the Michigan Chinese Choir, the Canton Philharmonic Choir, March Wind Choir, and the Choir of the Michigan Chinese Art Troupe. Budding voices from the Ann Hua Chinese School Children’s Chorus will surely delight those attending. This year, children from PCCLC will do a group recitation of “Enlightenment of Rhythm”; this work describes the rhyme of poetry in ancient China and is used to teach about writing children’s poems, couplets, and mastering the rhyme. This piece also promotes Chinese language learning and will be performed along with beautiful Chinese Classical background music. Audience members will also enjoy beautiful duets and small group performances by Yangtze Melody Group, Canton Philharmonic Men’s Chorus, and the Heart Melody Group. Additional main stage performances will include a dynamic Erhu solo by Wei Xiaodong and a Pipa solo by Angela Bolon. Pipa and Erhu are both ancient Chinese instruments, along with the Guzheng, which will be played by Troy Chinese Classic Music Guzheng Team. All of these instruments will give audience members a rare glimpse into China’s musical past.
This musical evening will include a special guest performance by Ms. Shuping Ma, a notable Opera singer in China and the U.S., who is a graduate of Sichuan Music College in China and was a vocal professor at Xinhai Music College in Guangzhou. Shuping Ma has performed at the Detroit Opera House, and throughout China and the U.S. and is the director for three area Chinese Choirs. Ms. Shuping Ma will perform “Vissi d’arte” from Puccini’s Tosca.
The art of traditional Chinese folk and classical dances will be shared by Ann Hua Little Angels, Shihui Dance Group, Anna Ballet & Dance, Ann Hua Adult Dance Team, students of PCCLC “Little Apple”, Hua-Ching, Northville Dance, Ann Hua Waist Drum Team, students of MNCCS Tibet Folk Dance, Canton Summit Dance Team, and Inner-action Dance’s China Doll and Blooming Teams. In addition, the Marshall Arts Chinese Kongfu group from MNCCS will perform, along with a special Chen Taiji Spear performance by Mr. Djuini Zen.
Event-goers can also enjoy a free reception starting at 6 p.m. Displays from three area Chinese schools (PCCLC, MNCCS, and Ann-Hua of Ann Arbor) will be available for all to enjoy in the Village Theater lobby. This year’s theme of the history of Chinese clothing will be featured not only in static displays, but also on live models who will be donning clothing and costumes from various regions and time periods throughout Chinese history as they mingle with audience members during the reception. Photo opportunities will also be available with a majestic Lion head, a strolling Panda, and some lovely photo backdrops. Tickets to this special Chinese celebration are just $5 per person (Main Stage. Reserved Seating). All patrons will require a ticket to attend this special performance, including children held on laps.
Tickets can be purchased, and printed at home or held in will call, anytime online at www.cantonvillagetheater.org - at no extra charge. The Box Office is open weekdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. weekdays. Tickets can also be ordered by calling 734/394-5300 x3, with a Visa or MasterCard weekdays between the hours of 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. If tickets are available, they can also be purchased 1 hour prior to Program Time.
The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, located at 50400 Cherry Hill Road, Canton, MI 48187, is a regional center for the arts that offers the magic of live theatre, soul-stirring music, the thrill of the dance, and the enjoyment of fine art exhibitions and events, in addition to providing a home for several cultural organizations and community groups.
For more information on the 2018 Chinese Spring Festival or other performances scheduled at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, visit www.CantonVillageTheater.org or call 734/394-5300.