If you've ever seen the Chinese acrobats at work, you've probably
wondered how they can accomplish such amazing feats.
According to one fan, years of training make it all look easy.
"The Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats' success is built on Chi Kung, the
Asian philosophy of inner strength, a harmony between an athlete's
strength and impeccable balance and timing," said Dr. Charles Ku,
president of the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Dallas/Fort Worth.
"These acrobats are trained almost at birth to one day accomplish these
gravity defying feats."
For centuries, Chinese acrobats have entertained audiences with their
show-stopping juggling skills and balancing acts. Based in Taiwan, the
Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats are internationally known. Different
troupes have performed at amusement parks, Las Vegas and even the State
Fair of Texas.
But if you missed their show at Fair Park, there's another chance to
catch the tumbling act today.
The Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats kick off their U.S. tour today with
a performance at 2 p.m. in Richardson High School's auditorium at 1250
Belt Line Road in Richardson. Tickets are available at the door for $10
and $20.
The show is a benefit for the Sun Ray Chinese School, which is
celebrating its 20th anniversary in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Sun Ray is the first Chinese-language school in this area, said Dr. Ku,
a Lewisville dentist and one of the founders.
"The school was started when several parents got together and lamented
over how their children were losing their Chinese language skills," he
said.
"We were afraid they would soon lose their heritage. So we decided we
needed to start a class that would also serve as a support system for our
children. There weren't too many Asians living in this area 20 years ago,
and we felt they needed a stronger sense of community," he said.
The class took place in a private home, but as word spread, more
children began showing up for the weekend classes. "We finally moved into
a church in Carrollton; that was our first weekend school," Dr. Ku said.
Today, Sun Ray schools are in Carrollton, Plano and Arlington with a
combined enrollment of about 900. About 10 similar schools have also been
established in North Texas with a similar curriculum – Chinese language,
traditional dance and Kung Fu as well as offering coaching for students
who take advanced classes in math and English.
All the schools do very well, according to Dr. Ku, because of the high
value Asian parents place on education.
And, according to Dr. Ku, celebrating the school's 20th anniversary
with the acrobats is fitting as it brings awareness to this Chinese art
form.
"Our school's goal is to build harmony while educating about our
thousand-year traditions of art and history," Dr. Ku said.
"The stars of the Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats represent the best of
this revered tradition, mixing award-winning acrobatics, traditional
dance, spectacular costumes, and ancient and contemporary theatrical
techniques to present a show of breathtaking skill and spellbinding
beauty.
"Everyone loves seeing the human pyramid performed on a bicycle and the
artist who balances upside down on top of an incredible tower of stacked
chairs."
The acrobats will also kick off the area Lunar New Year celebration by
performing at the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce's celebration at 7 p.m.
Saturday at the Hotel Inter-Continental, 15201 Dallas Parkway in Addison.
It seems almost fitting that the acrobats usher in the Year of the
Monkey.
E-mail ewu@dallasnews.com
