SunnyU presents cultural dance, martial arts showcase
For Ming-Yan Davis, a well-spent Saturday morning means putting on a pair of leg warmers, dropping her iPod in her bag, and directing rehearsals for the Saturday adult ballet class at SunnyU Culture and Education Center in Buffalo Grove.
It's time for the Chinese performing art program's annual showcase, and Davis isn't the only instructor upping demands on the dancers. At this point in the season, both dancers and instructors feel the increasing pressure to achieve the perfect performance, as SunnyU's showcase attracts a growing audience of all ethnicities, ages, and backgrounds each year.
This year's showcase will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Lake Zurich Performing Arts Center, 300 Church St., Lake Zurich.
SunnyU, a nonprofit talent development center mainly focused on Chinese performing arts, offers a variety of dance classes and welcomes dancers of all ages, with no previous training necessary to enroll in the program.
This year's repertoire includes not only Chinese classical and folk dances, but also ballet and Latin dance, featuring a medley of performances from Chicago Chinese Performing Arts ensemble, Soaring Eagle Kung Fu, Vaida Dance Group, and FengHua Chinese School.
"Students and instructors have been working very hard to get ready for the show," said Jennie Dai, founder and owner of SunnyU. "For instance, this past weekend our studio was open from 9:30 in the morning to 10 at night."
With extensive preparation (some numbers boast yearlong rehearsals), vibrant costumes manufactured and shipped from China, and original music, audiences can expect a stunning performance.
One of the most anticipated additions to this year's showcase is new artistic director Hao Lu, who studied Chinese classical dance in the prestigious Shanghai Theater Academy and has since enjoyed a decorated career as both a dancer and director.
"With his young age (and expertise), he brings a refreshing style and music," Dai said.
"The choreography is totally different (than the showcase of previous years) and is easier to learn for the newer members," said Yi Hong, a seasoned student at SunnyU.
According to Hong, Lu "removed some folk dance elements and added more classical material."
Based off Lu's previous work at SunnyU, these new artistic interpretations are expected to bring a distinctive energy to the program.
As SunnyU's program develops, its influence on the community's cultural education expands, too. The performing arts group has participated in the Tianjing International Children's festival, the Shanghai International Children's Festival, won various competitions, and guest-performed at Disney world.
So, when the curtain rises on Nov. 15, the audience should expect a unique blend of culture so characteristic of SunnyU, embellished with twists to traditional pieces.
"We hope the audience will really enjoy our more refreshing style this year," Dai said.
Tickets to the SunnyU Culture and Education Center Annual Showcase are $12-$30. For ticket information, call Daxing Li at (847) 756-0655; Xiaorong Cygan, (847) 815-1200; Yanwei Hu, (847) 544-6489; Vivian Wang, (847) 821-8208; Judy Tang, (847) 209-5987; or Faye Kung, (847) 529-5942. For details, visit www.sunnyu.org.