DancEnlight to Present ZEN LANDSCAPE, 3/22-23

DancEnlight, a professional not for profit modern dance company, is proud to present the 2014 world premiere of "Zen Landscape" in the Hartford, CT area. Performances are set for Saturday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 23 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hubbard Music Hall, Loomis Chaffee School, 4 Batchelder Road, Windsor, Conn.

Ticket Information: General Admission: Adult $25; Seniors $15; Students $10. Tickets are available online at www.dancenlight.org/tickets and at the door.

Creative Team: Artistic Director: Lorelei Chang; Guest Choreographer and Performer: Mai Nakanishi; Guest Musician: Joseph Getter; Lighting Designer: Karl Messerschmidt; Film Maker: Lorraine Young.

Over the years, Lorelei Chang has become increasingly captivated by the Japanese rock garden, Karesansui, or dry landscape. During her most recent visit, the distinctive gardens along with the Japanese culture, its people and their way of life inspired her to create an exciting new dance production.

While Lorelei was born and raised in China, she travels frequently to Japan and understands the intimate cultural relationship between the two countries. The "rock garden", though originating in China, was enhanced by Japan, which embraced its Zen nature and simplicity of design in harmony with the country's traditionally simple way of life. This principle is so infused in the Asian mind and soul, it is said that its painting, calligraphy, poetry, religion and meditation influence one another and thus are intertwined.

The concert starts with a brilliant film by Lorraine Young. The dancers will be accompanied by long-time collaborator Joseph Getter playing beautiful live music. DancEnlight is thrilled to have the Chinese-Japanese guest performer and choreographer Mai Nakanishi returning for another inspiring performance.

dancEnlight is a professional 501(c)(3) modern dance company that is currently in residence at Connecticut Concert Ballet in Manchester and Windsor, CT. dancEnlight is dedicated to fostering the arts through excellence in dance, education and artistic collaboration and performs in the U.S. and Japan under the direction of Lorelei Chang. Lorelei draws her inspiration from her Asian background and creates cross-cultural works in a tapestry of Eastern and Western culture. dancEnlight strives to enrich the community, enlighten audiences of all ages, and inspire cultural development, both locally and globally.

Lorelei Chang's choreography has been presented at the Beijing International Dance Festival in China, American Dance Festival, International Dance Festival in Hong Kong, and Dance Festival in India, International Arts & Ideas in New Haven, 5x5 Dance Festival in Hartford, Rebound Dance Festival in New Haven, and many other venues including Tokyo, Japan. Lorelei was honored to be invited to perform with her twin sister, Mai Nakanishi for the Grand Imperial Charity Banquet hosted by Indonesia's former president's wife in Tokyo on Oct 1st, 2011.

For more information on dancEnlight, visit www.dancenlight.org or call 860-558-6146. For more information on modern dance classes with Lorelei Chang, visit www.ctconcertballet.org. For more information on the work of Lorraine Young, visit www.l-young.com.

Pictured (side): Group in Garden. Photo by Zoe Macerollo.