Poster for Gaoyan Jingzi's 24 Solar Terms, 12 Kinds of Sound in Flowers. [Photo/chncpa.org]

The National Center for the Performing Arts saw the start of its dance festival on October 9 in Beijing. Ending on December 11, the event will feature 38 performances of 18 dances, including ballet, modern dances and dance dramas.

Many new works will premier during the festival. Chinese artist Shen Peiyi will tell a different story of four ancient Chinese beauties - Xi Shi, Wang Zhaojun, Diao Chan and Yang Yuhuan - in her new dance drama Shen Qing. Her other drama Fragrant Soul, along with four productions that were all from the students and instructors of The Central Academy of Drama, will be staged as well.

Dance drama My Heart, jointly created by Xu Fangyi, a modern dance performer from Taiwan, and Zhu Yan, chief dancer of the National Ballet Troupe, will meet audiences for the first time. A series of dances with strong traditional Chinese culture features will also find their way onto the stage. They include Jin Xing's Tango on Sea, Gaoyan Jingzi's 24 Solar Terms, 12 Kinds of Sound in Flowers, and dance drama Goddess of Mercy with One Thousands Hands directed by Zhang Jigang.

Young Chinese dancers, supported by a plan called "National Youth Dance Development" of the Chinese Dancers Association, will show their creations "Chinese Dream" during the festival.

The event also introduced groups of foreign artists and their works, including the Batsheva Dance Company's performance featuring Israeli contemporary dancer Ohad Naharin's 10 classic works on October 13-14, and American modern dance artist Paul Taylor's six outstanding works on November 19-20.