East Meets West in Irvine

“Blossom” choreographed by Anthony Meh and Aman Yap. Copyright held by Malaysian Dua Space Dance Theatre and restaged by Radhanath Thialan, MFA candidate, UCI Dance Department.

The fourth annual “East Meets West” International Dance and Music Festival, this year celebrating global artistry in collaboration with regional and international partners, was held in October and featured UCI Dance, Southland Ballet Academy, classical Indian dance soloist Sukanya Kumar, Beijing Dance Academy, Yaya Dance Academy, international opera star Ke Luwa and junghu musician Zhang Shunxiang. The exchange included open master classes, seminars and workshops supported by Claire Trevor School of the Arts and concluded with two performances at Irvine Barclay Theatre. Initiated by Artistic Directors Lisa Naugle and Tong Wang of the UCI Dance Department and helped by Founding Chair Ruth Ding, the festival helped push towards more collaboration and uniting of cultures through the arts. OC Music & Dance was the presenting sponsor.