Nazareth College Arts Center presents the National Acrobats of the People's Republic of China on November 16

ROCHESTER, NY (10/20/2014)(readMedia)-- Nazareth College Arts Center is pleased to present the National Acrobats of the People's Republic of China: Cirque Peking, on Sunday, November 16, 2014, at 7 p.m. in the Callahan Theater. Direct from Beijing, the company is one of the most acclaimed acrobatic troupes in China, and is known worldwide for its unique and spectacular stunts that seem to defy human anatomy, physics, and gravity.

The National Acrobats' 2011 performance at the Arts Center was sold-out, and received enthusiastic feedback from the audience.

Ticket holders may attend a free pre-performance lecture about the history and importance of acrobatics in China at 6 p.m. in the Peace Theater (room A14), located in the lower level of the Arts Center.

Visit http://artscenter.naz.edu/newsroom/media-resources for photos.

ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE

"Act after act stunned. Costumes were bright, sparkly and colorful, and the performers moved with almost impossible grace... The enthusiastic standing ovation at the end attests to the show's audience pleasing powers." -Centre Daily Times

"The night was filled with spectacular stunts... Contortionists bent and flexed their bodies in ways that seemed to defy the human anatomy, acrobats made leaps and tumbles that made one question the laws of physics, and many of the acrobats laughed in the face of gravity." -The Anchor

Direct from Beijing, the National Acrobats of the People's Republic of China - one of the country's most acclaimed acrobatic troupes - represents a 3,000 year-old Chinese tradition. Over the course of several generations, the troupe has created signature acts that combine ballet, tumbling, contortion, plate-spinning, juggling, and more - such as the renowned "Global Motorcycling" and "Aerial Bungee Tumblings" - that have delighted audiences worldwide, including a sold-out performance at the Nazareth College Arts Center in 2011!

Since its inception in 1951, the troupe has toured 500 cities in 70 countries, and created several full-length productions including Mirage, Pirates!, and Sun Birds that they have performed almost 4,000 times around the world. For its 2014 North American tour, the National Acrobats presents Cirque Peking, a brand new production that combines traditional and modern music; high-flying acrobatics and spectacular dance; vibrant costumes, colorful sets, and imaginative props; and incredible tricks such as "Chinese Poles in Shaolin Style" and "Diving through Moving Hoops."

Under the direction of Mr. Han Ning, director, and Mr. Zhong Li, associate director, the National Acrobats of the People's Republic of China have set themselves apart from thousands of acrobatic troupes around the world. More than 200 of the company's artists have won gold and silver awards at national and international competitions, and the troupe is so talented and innovative that the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil recruits from its training school.

The company's history is as intriguing as one of its performances. Founded during the Cold War by the Chinese government, the troupe was unwelcome in the United States until 1972, when President Richard M. Nixon invited the 72-person company to the White House. The invitation signaled a turning point in the relationship between China and the United States, and the company is credited, in part, with re-establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries at a critical time in history.

TICKETS

Tickets to the National Acrobats of China: Cirque Peking are $40-$70. For tickets, call – or visit – the Box Office: 585-389-2170; or order tickets online: artscenter.naz.edu.

Subscriptions to the Nazareth College Arts Center's 2014-2015 Season are still available through the Box Office; subscribers receive a 20% discount off single ticket prices and additional benefits when purchasing tickets to five or more different shows.

The Nazareth College Arts Center Box Office is located on campus, at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14618. Regular box office hours are Monday- Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 11 a.m. until curtain time on performance days.

SPONSOR INFORMATION

The Nazareth College Arts Center's 2014-2015 subscription series is sponsored by M&T Bank; Wendy's Restaurants of Rochester; and the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. The National Acrobats of China: Cirque Peking is sponsored by Josephine M. Perini.

ABOUT THE NAZARETH COLLEGE ARTS CENTER

Since 1967, the Nazareth College Arts Center has served as a venue and educational resource for students, educators, artists, and audiences of all ages to create, study, and experience the visual and performing arts. These cultural programs support the College's curriculum in music, art, and theatre arts, and provide area residents with opportunities to experience exceptional dance, international entertainment, family programming, music, musical theatre, and special events.

The Nazareth College Arts Center

• is a nonprofit institution.
• is the premier presenter of world-class dance, children's theatre, and international entertainment in Rochester.
• attracts approximately 70,000 adults and children annually.
• houses the Nazareth College departments of art, music, and theatre arts, which present exceptional theatre productions, musicals, recitals, and art exhibitions each year (events are open to the public), while preparing students for successful careers in fields such as art, music, and drama education; visual communication design; studio art; film; creative arts therapy; acting; musical theatre; dance; technical theatre and design; music performance; and music business.
• serves as a venue for auditions, art classes, music lessons, recitals, fundraisers, lectures, community theater productions, camps, workshops, and graduations.
• offers a School Performance Series, which serves thousands of area K-12 students/teachers each year.
• is the performance home of Rochester City Ballet and world-renowned Garth Fagan Dance, as well as the home of the Bach Children's Chorus.
• is the only area performing Arts Center located on a College campus.

For more information, visit artscenter.naz.edu.

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