UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan’s 13 Tongues, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at The Granada Theatre.
In 13 Tongues, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan brings the sights and sounds of Taiwan’s legendary night markets to life in all their human and spiritual dimensions.
Mixing traditional storytelling with futuristic imagery and shifting between folk, classical and electronic music sources, 13 Tongues delivers an experience of innovative contemporary dance.
Drawing on childhood memories of a famous street performer from 1980s Taipei, artistic director Cheng Tsung-lung and the Cloud Gate dancers weave a tapestry of ancient and modern images set to a range of musical idioms.
Due to the nature of this event, late seating will not be permitted.
As a child in the 1980s Tsung-lung would contribute to the family business by helping his father sell slippers on the streets of Bangka/Wanhua, the oldest district of Taipei.
Bangka was known for its vibrantly diverse and bustling street scene that embraced religious and secular life, rich and poor, work and play, and legal and illegal activities.
The young Tsung-lung was transfixed by his mother’s accounts of the legendary 1960s street artist and storyteller known as “13 Tongues” who had adopted Bangka for his informal stage.
It was said that “13 Tongues” could conjure up all the Bangka characters – high and low born, sacred and profane, men and women – in the most vivid, dramatic and fluently imaginative narratives.
Three decades on, Tsung-lung’s fascination for “13 Tongues” became his inspiration as he transformed his childhood memories into dance.
Cloud Gate is the name of the oldest known dance company in China. In 1973, choreographer Lin Hwai-min adopted the classical name, and founded the first contemporary dance company in the greater Chinese-speaking community.
In 2020, Tsung-lung became the company’s artistic director, combining his creative works with traditional roots and perspectives from the digital and globalized world. In 2023, Cloud Gate celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Cloud Gate dancers receive training in meditation; Qi Gong, an ancient breathing exercise; internal martial arts; modern dance and ballet.
The Cloud Gate performance is presented in association with UCSB Department of Theater and Dance. Dance series sponsors are Margo Cohen-Feinberg, Barbara Stupay, and Sheila Wald.
Tickets are $48.50-$108.50; $20 for UCSB students with current student ID.
For tickets or more information, call UCSB Arts & Lectures, 805-893-3535; buy online at www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu; or contact The Granada Theatre, 805-899-2222.