Royal Ballet of Cambodia Performs at Harris Center Tonight

Renowned for its exquisite hand gestures and sumptuous costumes, the Royal Ballet of Cambodia almost ceased to exist under repressive rule of the Khmer Rouge, who eliminated the majority of master dancers and musicians. Fortunately, those dedicated to this cultural ritual worked tirelessly to bring it back to its former splendor. Harris Center for the Arts reaps the results of this hard work as the Stars of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia come to Folsom for the very first time.

Praised by the New York Times as "Extraordinary and mysterious," the Khmer Classical Dance, which it is also known as, has been closely associated with the Khmer court for over one thousand years. Performances would traditionally accompany royal ceremonies and observances such as coronations, marriages, funerals or Khmer holidays.

The Royal Ballet of Cambodia: STARS OF THE ROYAL BALLET OF CAMBODIA perform tonight, October 23, 2014 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are priced at $25-$45; Premium $55; Students with ID $12. Tickets are available online at www.harriscenter.net or from the Harris Center Ticket Office at 916-608-6888 from 10 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time. Parking is included in the price of the ticket. Harris Center is located on the west side of Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom, CA, facing East Bidwell Street.

Infused with a sacred and symbolic role, the dance embodies the traditional values of refinement, respect and spirituality. The San Francisco Chronicle refers to it as "Timeless."

Its repertory perpetuates the legends associated with the origins of the Khmer people. Consequently, Cambodians have long esteemed this tradition as the emblem of Khmer culture. Four distinct character types exist in the classical repertory: Neang the woman, Neayrong the man, Yeak the giant, and Sva the monkey. Each possesses distinctive colors, costumes, makeup and masks. The gestures and poses, mastered by the dancers only after years of intensive training, evoke the gamut of human emotions, from fear and rage to love and joy. An orchestra accompanies the dance, and a female chorus provides a running commentary on the plot, highlighting the emotions mimed by the dancers, who were considered the kings' messengers to the gods and to the ancestors.

This performance is choreographed by Her Royal Highness Princess Norodom Buppha Devi, who was born on January 8, 1943 as daughter to His Royal Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia, and her mother Néak Phat Kanhol. HRH Princess Buppha Devi began her studies at the age of six at the Sothearos Primary School and at the same time, began her classical dance training at the school of dance of the Royal Palace. The Princess gave her first professional performance at the age of eight in honor of the King of Laos. She immediately became recognized as a distinguished artist and performed until 1970 at which point she accompanied her father the King to China. As a dancer, the Princess performed for distinguished dignitaries from France, China, the United States, Indonesia, Korea, Burma, the Soviet Union and many others.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Princess trained young dancers on the Cambodian / Thai border. Following the elections of 1993, the King and the Royal Government of Cambodia bestowed on the Princess the role of Advisor in charge of the fine arts, in particular classical court dance. From 1999-2004, HRH Princess Buppha Devi served as Cambodia's Minister of Culture and Fine Arts. HRH Norodom Buppha Devi continues to choreograph, adding works to the classical repertory of the Royal Ballet. She has been instrumental in nurturing a new generation of gifted artists in close collaboration with her colleagues who survived the tumultuous period of the Khmer Rouge. The Royal Ballet that tours internationally today does so under her vigilant leadership and guidance.

GREAT SHOWS. UP CLOSE. IN FOLSOM!

The Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College is a $50 million facility built with a combination of state, regional, local and private funds. Harris Center has three intimate theaters, an art gallery, a recording studio, elegant teaching spaces, plenty of safe parking and all the other amenities of a state-of-the-art performing arts venue. The Harris Center presents touring artists from around the world; partners with the best regional arts organizations, and supports productions by FLC students and faculty.

The Harris Center for the Arts (formerly Three Stages) is named to honor Brice Harris, Chancellor Emeritus of the Los Rios Community College District, for his many contributions to the capital region, including the vision and leadership he provided in opening this regional arts center.

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