NCTC & San Francisco Asian Art Museum Presents GENDER MYSTIC, 4/21-24

NCTC in association with the San Francisco Asian Art Museum is proud to present Indonesian performing artist Didik Nini Thowok in GENDER MYSTIC. The benefit will be held in NCTC's Decker theatre with four performances April 21 - 24, 2011: Thursday - Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. All performances will take place at The New Conservatory Theatre Center, located at 25 Van Ness Ave. near Market St. in San Francisco, 94102. Tickets range from $28 - $38, and are available at the NCTC Box Office (415) 861-8972, or online at www.nctcsf.org.

Didik Nini Thowok uses masks and dance from different Asian traditions to embody different characters, moods, and contemporary ideas with comic strength. Didik is one of the few remaining Indonesian dancers who explores transgender culture and its historical connection with mystical practices in Indonesia. According to one scholar Didik "carries on a venerable tradition of Javanese female impersonation by a male dancer. His study of cross-gender performance throughout Asia and the world fuels his playful, modern performance, presented in solo mask dances that combine mysterious androgyny and comic sexual impersonation." (Laurie Margot Ross, Asian Theater Journal) Didik runs a dance studio in Yogyakarta, Indonesia that teaches many styles of dance including: Central Javanese, Sundanese, Cirebon mask dance, Balinese, and other original choreography.

On April 23, 2011 at 1pm, The Asian Art Museum will present Didik Nini Thowok in a lecture demonstration about Gender Mystic. Didik will give a short talk about his creative process and will perform one dance followed by audience Q&A. This event is free with museum admission. Visit http://www.asianart.org/bali/lectures.htm for more details.

Four performances only: April 21 - 24, 2011: Thursday - Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm at New Conservatory Theatre Center (Decker Theatre) located at 25 Van Ness Ave. at Market St. in San Francisco, 94102.

Tickets range from $28 - $38, and are available at NCTC's Box Office (415) 861 8972, or online at www.nctcsf.org.