Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company Unveils 2025/26 Season Featuring New Works By Lawrence Jin and More

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company has unveiled unveil its 2026 season of performances, residencies, and community events, featuring world premieres by choreographers Lawrence Jin and Zhongmei Li, plus a vibrant lineup of traditional cultural performances. The season underscores the Company's mission to bridge cultural divides, honor diverse heritage, and elevate artistic voices seldom heard beyond immigrant communities.

The season opens with a showcase at the Midwest Arts XPO in Milwaukee, WI on September 15, 2025, followed by an extensive slate of performances across New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and beyond.

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

September 15, 2025 - Midwest Arts XPO, Milwaukee, WI

Introducing new audiences to the Company's blend of Chinese tradition and modern innovation at the Baird Center.

January 10-11, 2026 - AAPI Dance Festival, NYC

At the Ailey CitiGroup Theatre, produced in collaboration with the Asian American Arts Alliance, this edition includes a Rising Star Showcase at City Center Studio 4, spotlighting emerging Asian American choreographers.

January 18 - February 25, 2026 - Lunar New Year Celebration Tour

Celebrating the Year of the Horse, the Company presents two distinct productions:

Red Firecracker: The Legend of the Lunar New Year (Family Favorite)

• Jersey City Theatre Center, White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ (Jan 18)
• College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY - presented by Enrichment Through the Arts (Jan 26-27)
• Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts, Toms River, NJ (Feb 4-5)
• Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA (Feb 25)

Celebrating the Year of the Horse (World Premiere Program)

Featuring premieres by Lawrence Jin and Zhongmei Li, this program blends traditional symbolism and contemporary vision. Audiences will experience the powerful Lion Dance-a centuries-old ritual invoking good fortune and driving away evil spirits China HighlightsWikipedia-and the spectacular Dragon Dance, historically performed to summon rain, prosperity, and good luck-and associated with imperial authority, wisdom, and auspiciousness China HighlightsWikipediaChina Travel. The program also includes live music on authentic Chinese instruments and a lobby display of Lunar New Year cultural crafts, offering a multi-sensory immersion into Chinese traditions.

• Kupferberg Center for the Performing Arts, Queens, NY (Feb 1)
• Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture, Bronx, NY (Feb 7-8)
• New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, NJ (Feb 14-15)
• McLean Community Center, McLean, VA (Feb 18)

March 21, 2026 - Gerald Lynch Theatre, NYC

Returning to Manhattan for a special evening of repertory works and premieres.

May 15-16, 2026 - Ailey CitiGroup Theatre, NYC

The Company's Annual New York Season Concerts, featuring the premieres by Lawrence Jin, Zhongmei Li, and other guest artists, will conclude the season.