Queens Theatre in the Park Presents Dynamic Korea: Dance & Song 9/19

Queens Theatre in the Park (QTP) presents Dynamic Korea: Dance & Song, a performance by Chae Hyang Soon Dance Company on Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 3pm at Queens Theatre in the Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing, NY. Tickets are $27 and are available at www.queenstheatre.org or by phone at 718-760-0064.

Chae Hyang Soon Dance Company brings the core traditions of Korean dance to brilliant life. Reflecting the contrasting rhythms of life in Korea, this remarkable company of dancers and musicians is alternately exuberant and meditative, gentle and thunderous. Their work symbolically reflects not only the bustling marketplaces of Korea, but the country's deep Buddhist roots. A thrilling performance, animated by flair, grace, rhythm and vitality.

Handed down from generation to generation, the movements of Dynamic Korea: Dance & Song reflect the essential rhythms of traditional Korean dance. The exuberant y?tt'ary?ngch'um (Taffy Peddler Dance) walks audiences through the bustling marketplaces of Korea, while meditative, deeply symbolic performances such as the hwahy?nmu (Lotus Dance) and sungmu (Monk's Dance) explore the country's deep Buddhist roots. From the gentle, gliding grace of the opening chaech'?nmu (Chos?n Court Dance) to the upbeat drumming and dancing of the changgoch'um (Hourglass Drum Dance), the dancers and musicians of the Chae Hyang Soon Dance Company are animated by the strength and energy of the Korean tradition.

ABOUT CHAE HYANG SOON DANCE COMPANY
Chae Hyang Soon Dance Company is committed to remaking the core traditions of Korean dance-ka, the song; mu, the movement; and ak, the music-and performing in ways that present the essence of Korean art.

Led by artistic director Chae Hyang Soon and composed of graduates from the College of Art at Choong-Ang University, Chae Hyang Soon Dance Company has performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and the Asia Pacific Peach Foundation as well as at events such as the tenth anniversary festival of the Seoul Olympics, the opening and closing performances of the Winter Universiade and Korea's presidential inauguration.

Chae Hyang Soon is a professional dancer who imparts her flair and vision to traditional Korean music and dance. She is an isuja (???) for Intangible Cultural Properties No. 27 (Sungmu dance) and No. 97 (Salp'uli dance), a title granted under the Republic of Korea's Cultural Properties Protection Act. The recipient is an artist who has met all requirements for qualification as a potential successor to the National Living Treasure for specific cultural properties. While directing Chae Hyang Soon Dance Company she also serves as the director of Chung-Ang Dance Company and Asian Dance Group as well as a professor of dance at Chung-Ang University. Chae Hyang Soon was awarded the grand prize from the 12th Ch?nju Taesasup Festival.

Sponsored by the American Express Cultural Heritage Series, Korea Society and MKTV and KNN.

The Korea Society is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) organization that is dedicated solely to the promotion of greater awareness, understanding and cooperation between the people of the United States and Korea.

Tickets are available:
* Online at www.queenstheatre.org.
* By phone at 718-760-0064, Tue-Sat, 12-6pm.
* In person at Queens Theatre in the Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing, NY.

* Subscriptions: Become a Theatre or Dance Subscriber by ordering tickets to all four Theatre Series events or all four Dance Series events and enjoy significant savings off the ticket price.
* Multi Show: Order any three or more shows and earn the multi show discount price. This discount is available for any show this season. There is no limit on the number of tickets you can purchase at this discount. If you are already a Theatre or Dance Subscriber or have purchased at least two shows this season, you have already earned this discount on additional ticket purchases.
* Groups: Contact group sales associate Barbara Matovu at 718-760-0064 x128 for groups of 15 or more.

Queens Theatre in the Park is located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing, NY.
By Subway: Take the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point stop. Exit and turn left after passing through turnstile, walk downstairs on the parking lot side and follow the theatre shuttle signs. Take free trolley to the Theatre. Trolley runs for one hour before and after all performances.
By Car: Take the Grand Central Parkway to exit 9E (from Manhattan) or 9P (from Long Island) and follow the signs for the Theatre. Free parking in adjacent lot.

About Queens Theatre in the Park
Queens Theatre in the Park is committed to presenting performing arts that provide audiences with the highest quality work. QTP also produces new plays, with a concentration on up-and-coming directors and playwrights. QTP has broadened the experience of its core audience to include works by under-recognized artists from around the world and works that tap into the diverse communities of Queens.

Queens Theatre in the Park is located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the New York State Pavilion designed for the 1964 World's Fair by Philip Johnson. The Pavilion was converted to a theatre in 1972 and was operated by various organizations until 1985. QTP was officially established in 1989 with the full support of the community and the Queens Borough President. After a $4 million renovation that brought full ADA compliance, the Theatre officially opened to the public in 1993 in a facility that allows it to stage productions equal to those of any Off-Broadway house in Manhattan in its 464-seat main stage theatre and its 99-seat Studio Theatre. What was then a small cabaret-style theater with an operating budget of under $500,000 has transformed itself into a major performing arts center with exhibition galleries with a projected operating budget of $3.5 million for FY10.

QTP became an independent nonprofit in 1997. It is a member of the Cultural Institutions Group receiving support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. The Theatre presents and produces 300 performances annually. QTP serves 100,000 people annually who reflect the rich demographics of its community population. Currently 75% of the Theatre's constituency is from Queens. In addition to its own season, QTP frequently provides its space for use by community arts organizations and local promoters.

QTP is soon to complete a $23 million physical transformation of the Theatre with funding provided by Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and The Council of the City of New York. This major capitalinvestment has added a 75-seat cabaret performance space with a full service cafe and kitchen facility; created a dramatic new 3,000 square foot lobby/reception area; provided new visitor amenities and improved the facility's accessibility. These improvements will transform Queens Theatre in the Park into a destination for the residents of the Borough and beyond.

Bank of America is the proud lead corporate partner for the new cabaret at Queens Theatre in the Park.

Theatre and Dance Programs are supported by The New York Community Trust.

Major Support for The Immigrant Voices Project is provided by The Greenwall Foundation and the Jerome Foundation.

The JP Morgan Chase Foundation provides funding for the Latino Cultural Festival & year-long Latin programming.

Funding for Dance Programming is provided by The Harkness Foundation for Dance, Jerome Robbins Foundation, and the Mertz Gilmore Foundation.

Additional Program Support provided by Bloomberg, the David Schwartz Foundation, RBC Wealth Management and the Shubert Foundation.

American Express is the presenting Sponsor of the American Express Cultural Heritage Series.

Con Edison is the official Sponsor of Queens Theatre in the Park's website: www.queenstheatre.org

Con Edison is the presenting Sponsor of the Immigrant Voices Project.

Queens Centeris the presenting Sponsor of the Kids' Corner.

Astoria Federal Savings is the presenting Sponsor of Celebrity Events.

Funding for the Onstage Program at JHS 185 and the Westbury Middle School is provided by the JP Morgan Chase Foundation.

Deutsche Bank has awarded a 2-year "Art & Enterprise" Stabilization grant to Queens Theatre in the Park.

Delta Air Lines is the official airline of Queens Theatre in the Park.

Time Warner Cable is an official media sponsor of Queens Theatre in the Park.

For more information, visit www.queenstheatre.org.