Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company To Perform RED FIRECRACKERS At Hostos Community College

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, the renowned international touring dance company founded by Chinese American choreographer Nai-Ni Chen, and now led by Artistic Director Greta Campo and Executive Director Andy Chiang, announced today that they will perform at Hostos Community College on February 8, 2026 at 3PM, 450 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY, 10451. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased here.

Nai-Ni Chen will perform "Red Firecrackers," a special program is dedicated to celebrating the Chinese immigrant culture and promises a captivating display of cultural richness, artistic excellence, and a profound narrative that explores the origins of one of the most important holidays in the world: The Chinese Lunar New Year.

"Red Firecrackers," a creation by the late choreographer Nai-Ni Chen, delves into the rich tapestry of Chinese New Year traditions. The performance narrates the ancient tale of villagers uniting to combat the Nian, an eternal monster that descends upon the earth annually. Through a dazzling array of props, vibrant costumes, mesmerizing music, acrobatics, and lively dance, the top-notch performers of the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company bring to life the story of courage, ingenuity, and the intrinsic value of community.

The production is not only a feast for the senses but also serves as an insightful exploration of the historical roots of Chinese Lunar New Year customs. "Red Firecrackers" underscores the significance of coming together to face challenges and celebrates the spirit of the Lunar New Year. It prepares the community for a celebration of the Lunar New Year of their own.

Hostos Center "Red Firecrackers" Program

1. Lion in the City

Choreography: Peiju Chien-Pott, Hip Hop Legends Kwikstep and Rokafella

Music: DJ KS360/Kwikstep

Costume: Peiju Chien-Pott, Rokafella, Javier Valencia of SoHarlem

Dancers: Sarah Botero, Lorenzo Guerrini, Caleb Baker

This exhilarating work brings a modern edge to the traditional Chinese New Year celebration. Commissioned by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), this unique version develops a dialogue between contemporary/Chinese movement and Hip-Hop, celebrating the pioneering spirit of collaboration. The Lion Dance itself is a prayer for peace and harmony on earth, symbolized by a child playing freely with a ferocious beast.

2. Dai Duet (Peacocks Under the Moonlight)

Choreography: Nai-Ni Chen

Music: Dai Minority Folk Music

Dancers: Yuchin "Kiki" Tseng, Madeleine Lee

Inspired by the grace and beauty of the Hua Yao Dai ethnic tradition, this duet portrays two young women like blooming flowers by a quiet riverside. Set to the gentle melody of "Flowing River," the dancers embody softness, elegance, and youthful purity. Their movements ripple like water, revealing a serene world where the river flows lightly and the girls blossom with delicate charm and tenderness.

3. Student Performance

Performers: Students from the Nai-Ni Chen Youth Program / FA Dance Academy

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company is committed to passing down the art of Chinese dance to the next generation. This special performance features students from the Company's youth program, showcasing their dedication, discipline, and the vibrant future of this cultural art form.

4. Mountain Rain in the Tea Garden

Choreography: Nai-Ni Chen

Music: Taiwanese Folk Tune: Peach Flower Crossing the River

Dancers: Yuchin "Kiki" Tseng, Madeleine Lee, Madelyn Sarver, Sarah Botero, Kathryn Taylor

Taiwan is well-known for its tea culture and the beauty of the tea plantations. Tea gardens in the high mountains grow the best tea in this region. In this dance, girls working in the tea plantation catch the moment of spring rain to pick up their umbrellas and play cheerfully in the rain. This dance was originally created at the request of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau for the Taiwan Pavilion to be showcased during the New York Times Travel Show.

5. Music

Performers: Guest Artists / Chinese Music Ensemble of New York

A musical interlude featuring traditional Chinese instruments. The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company frequently collaborates with the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York to introduce the authentic sound of Chinese music to diverse audiences. Instruments such as the Pipa (lute), Erhu (two-string fiddle), or Dizi (bamboo flute) are often featured to evoke the atmosphere of the season.

6. Mongolian Harvest

Choreography: Lawrence Jin

Music: Chinese Traditional

Dancers: Lorenzo Guerrini, Caleb Baker, Sarah Botero, Yuchin "Kiki" Tseng, Kathryn Taylor, Madeleine Lee, Madelyn Sarver, Esteban Santamaria

Commissioned by NJPAC, this dynamic work captures the essence of the nomadic Mongolian way of life. Known for its powerful footwork and expressive upper-body movements, the dance celebrates the generous spirit of the Mongolian people and their respect for the great prairie. Inspired by the joyful Naadam Festival, the piece portrays aspects of herders' daily activities including cooking, hunting, and traditions.

7. Carousel

Choreography: Nai-Ni Chen

Dancers: Esteban Santamaria, Caleb Baker, Candace Jarvis, Yuchin "Kiki" Tseng, Kathryn Taylor, Madeleine Lee, Madelyn Sarver

Inspired by the dual imagery of playful, dreamlike carousels and the majestic elegance of real horses, this buoyant piece is one of Nai-Ni Chen's most celebrated abstract works. It explores the flow of energy and the dynamics reminiscent of the brush strokes used in Chinese ink painting, melding childlike wonder with the nobility and pride of equestrian movement-a perfect tribute for the Year of the Horse.

8. Music: Chinese Traditional

9. Student Performance

Performers: Students from the Nai-Ni Chen Youth Program / FA Dance Academy

10. Festival (Dragon Dance)

Choreography: Nai-Ni Chen

Dancers: Yuchin "Kiki" Tseng, Madeleine Lee, Madelyn Sarver, Lorenzo Guerrini, Sarah Botero, Caleb Baker, Kathryn Taylor, Esteban Santamaria, Yao Zhing Zhang