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The Peking Acrobats

Mateel Community Center

, a troupe of China’s most gifted tumblers, contortionists, jugglers, cyclists, and gymnasts complemented by live musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments will bring their 2,000-year-old tradition of acrobatics to North America for an extensive tour of North America. ’ Gala 30th Anniversary North American Tour and Year of the Monkey Celebration, will begin in January 2016 and continue through April 2016.  will appear at The Mateel on Tuesday, January 26th, 2016. Doors open at 7:30pm.

Those who have seen  on their previous tours can be assured that they will see new, exciting acts and innovative twists on old favorites on this tour, celebrating thirty years of awesome entertainment in 2016, the Year of the Monkey! For their 30th Anniversary Tour,  will be pulling out all the stops, and marking this incredible milestone with their most memorable production to date. Featuring the acrobats performing their unique brand of artistry in beautiful costumes, with dazzling special effects, our hallmark live musicians expertly playing exotic traditional Chinese instruments, for ’ 30th Anniversary North American Tour, audiences should prepare for a very special entertainment experience, indeed!

Thrilled to celebrate their Gala 30th Anniversary touring North America under the auspices of IAI Presentations,  have played to sold-out houses and earned rave reviews during their previous twenty-nine headline Theatre Tours from 1986 through 2015. When  returned to Broadway in New York City, they made headlines, as they do everywhere they appear. Their sold-out three-week engagement in New York thrilled audiences of all ages. The reviews said it all, with virtually every word of these glowing articles quotable, here are a few highlights:

“The things these kids can do before breakfast…seem to push the envelope of human possibility. If daring and dexterity turn you on, this is a show that will probably twist you around in your seat…it’s amazing and exciting!”

~ Clive Barnes, New York Post

“Amazing! Zounds! The vocabulary of exclamation seeks expression as the medium of awed and surprised reaction to the wondrous feats of ! In their graceful efforts…these brightly costumed tumblers, acrobats, cyclists, jugglers and clever clowns provide 90 minutes of family fun that infuses springtime in New York with an extra measure of joy.”

~ Lawrence van Gelder, New York Times

“The physical feats of  seem almost…surreal, defying laws of body mechanics and physics. It’s like watching ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ LIVE, without camera tricks creating special effects. All the members of this troupe are amazing athletes with grace and charisma in addition to their razor-sharp precision…everything entertainment should be, uplifting, aweinspiring and an exploration of the full extent of human potential. When a show can fill you with the wonder of a 10 year-old, you know you have had a good time…that’s success!”

~ Angela Jones, Dance Insider

 have been the featured performers on numerous television shows and celebrity-studded TV Specials including appearances on THE WAYNE BRADY SHOW as well as NBC’s RING IN THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAY SPECIAL, NICKELODEON’S UNFABULOUS and ELLEN’S REALLY BIG SHOW, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.

 set the world record for the Human Chair Stack on Fox’s GUINNESS BOOK PRIMETIME where they astounded television audiences with their bravery and dexterity as they balanced six people precariously atop six chairs, 21 feet up in the air, without safety lines!  are also making the Hollywood scene on the silver screen as former company members were featured in director Steven Soderbergh’s hit film Ocean’s 11, playing with Hollywood’s elite such as Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, and George Clooney. Qin Shaobo, an alumnus of , appeared in that film’s two blockbuster sequels, Ocean’s 12, and Ocean’s 13. were also the featured performers at the star-studded Hollywood Premiere of Ocean’s 13.

 continue to be on the cutting edge of today’s technology. During their 25th Silver Anniversary Tour in 2011, Center City Film & Video filmed the Company in 3D format for NBC/Comcast Communications for their new 3D Channel. For this exclusive taping, a five-camera shoot was employed, and 3D TV audiences are treated to  experience in this exciting format updated with 21st Century technology.  were truly honored to appear in yet another groundbreaking entertainment media, and to be the first Acrobatic ensemble of their kind to do so. By presenting their ancient art form in the latest 3D technology,  elevate their craft to new heights, and imprint their unique and indelible stamp on the history of Chinese acrobatics for posterity to be inspired by, for many years to come. Here is another example of how  are furthering the ancient Acrobatic traditions begun by their ancestors, thousands of years ago.

 achieved another milestone as they made their debut at the Hollywood Bowl in the Fall of 2003. They performed as part of the Hollywood Bowl’s Fireworks Season Finale, where the company blended their unique brand of acrobatics with the majestic sound of the 100-piece Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, conducted by John Mauceri.

’ musicians played their traditional Chinese instruments with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra as the acrobats infused Bowl audiences with their powerful maneuvers in a multicultural, multi-media spectacular. Between the ‘fireworks’ on stage and the ‘fireworks’ in the air, audiences experienced theatrical alchemy at its finest!

Since their Hollywood Bowl debut,  have performed with many of the most prestigious Symphony Orchestras in North America today. These include the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Ravinia Festival Orchestra featuring members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.  return often to the Hollywood Bowl, where they perform with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra as Special Guest Artists.

 debuted their Symphony Concerts in Canada in 2011 with sold-out performances with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in Canada, expanding their reach to yet another concert going audience. In fact, their Symphony Concerts were so popular with Winnipeg audiences that  returned to perform with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra once again in 2014. Their Symphony Concerts engagements inevitably lead to many other such performances with Symphony Orchestras across North America and, in between their theatre tours,  continue to bring their unique artistry to completely new theatre audiences.

 have made their mark on many international stages as well. In February of 2005,  premiered in Italy where they astounded Italian audiences with their incredible talents while on their five-week, twelve-city tour that took them to Milan, Pisa, Bologna, Naples, and many other fascinating and exciting cities within Italy. The performers endeared themselves to the Italian audiences where they performed stellar shows to sold-out crowds. Their opening in Milan was a spectacular media event that was covered nationally by the Italian press. All of Italy knew that  had come to entertain the Italian people with their ancient artistry. Their reviews were filled with accolades attesting to these superb performances! In December of 2006,  returned to Europe for another six-week tour this time visiting the Netherlands, Belgium, and more cities in Italy. Sparked by their tremendous success during their 2005 tour of Italy, this second European tour took them to many exciting and fascinating locales, where they enjoyed sharing their ancient artistry with an ever-widening Europea audience. They visited Amsterdam and many Dutch cities within the Netherlands, as well as Bruges in Belgium, and several cities they had yet to visit in Italy. were so popular, that the show was booked again for yet another, third European tour that same year.

 returned to Italy and the Netherlands in October of 2007 and, on this tour, they performed for new audiences in those countries and, for the first time ever, audiences in Switzerland were able to witness their fascinating brand of artistry!

Their affinity for and popularity with European audiences does not end there, however, as in December of 2008,  returned to Europe, again, this time for their Fourth European Tour. In December of 2009, returned to Europe for their Fifth European Tour where they visited many cities in Holland and Belgium. In October 2012, they embarked on their Sixth European Tour, where they returned to the Netherlands and Belgium in November 2012 through January 2013.

In November 2014, their Seventh European Tour commenced, and this time,  debuted in Portugal, to the delight of Portuguese audiences, before returning once again to the Netherlands, for more successful concerts there. These triumphs continue for  as they share their incredible talents, abilities, and culture with ever-widening audiences, building their reputation as the finest Chinese acrobatic troupe in the world! The warmth and appreciation of the European people makes  feel right at home and the future holds many more such successful tours for , much to the delight of their growing numbers of European fans!

 ability to perform the astounding is rooted in centuries of Chinese history and folk art. Records of acrobatic acts at court can be found as early as the Ch’in Dynasty (221 B.C. - 207 B.C.). In fact, the name China is actually derived from the Ch’in Dynasty. According to Fu Qifeng, author of Chinese Acrobatics Through the Ages, acrobatics originated from the people’s daily lives, drawing from their experiences in work, war, and sacrificial rites. Acrobatics first became widespread among the common people during the Warring States Period in China (475 B.C. – 221 B.C.). In these ancient days, it was believed that practicing acrobatics could steal people’s will, increase their physical strength, and the accuracy of their movements. During the Han Dynasty (207 B.C. - 220 A.D.), acrobatics flourished, and were incorporated into court entertainments. It was at this time, according to historian Fu Qifeng, that Emperor Wu Di of the Han Dynasty presented the first grand acrobatic performances at the Imperial Court. This wide variety of juggling, tumbling, and magic acts came to be known as the “Hundred Entertainments.”

Heretofore, traditional Chinese court entertainments had been staid, dreary affairs, with a processional formality that bored the aristocracy and the Emperor. All that changed when the thrilling acrobatic amusements enjoyed by the common people were brought to the court!

The Emperor Wu Di invited a number of important foreign dignitaries to witness these performances, the first time in Chinese history acrobatic art was presented for diplomatic purposes. The foreign guests were so impressed by what they saw that they entered into military and trade alliances with the Han Emperor.

Continuing the tradition of Chinese acrobatics’ inspiring confidence and impressing one’s guests,  have also expanded their reach in the Corporate and Special Events milieu.

They have performed for such prestigious clients as…

In addition to these engagements, they have been featured at many exclusive private events at such prestigious venues as…

These private performances are a logical outgrowth of the tradition of Chinese acrobatics, which began centuries ago as entertainments designed to impress Heads of State and dignitaries in ancient times. So it is fitting that today,  are part of special events where they impress modern guests at prestigious state, corporate, and international galas.

In China today, professional acrobatic troupes have many outlets for displaying their talents. Some appear on Chinese television shows as the broadcast industry in China has expanded to include diverse programming. Some travel throughout China bringing their own unique costumes, stage props, and acrobatic styles to factories, villages, army units, remote areas, and frontier outposts. Still others have formed joint ventures with Theme Parks as an economically thriving China has fostered the growth of its own family entertainment industry, where they perform seasonally as part of the theme park’s entertainment, much like here in the West.

A performance by , therefore, brings with it the opportunity to experience the epitome of a rich and ancient folk art tradition carefully blended with 21st Century special effects to highlight the action on stage. As the Seattle Times reported: “Nearly everything  did last night was amazing - and stunning, and breathtaking and WOW!” and the Los Angeles Times stated: “ regularly passed from the seemingly impossible to the virtually unbelievable!”  have performed the world over for thirty years to standing ovations and packed houses the world over. Now, over 2,000 years of tradition, perfection, spectacle, and awesome entertainment comes to The Mateel - are you ready to be amazed?

 

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