Contemporary dance blends cultural influences on HACC's Live at Rose Lehrman stage Oct. 17

Sept. 26, 2012

HARRISBURG – Nai-Ni Chen Dance Co. and The Ahn Trio perform “Temptation of the Muses,” an energetic, original modern dance piece, at Live at Rose Lehrman at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012. The performance, with a post-show talkback with choreographer Chen and the performers, takes place in the Rose Lehrman Arts Center on the Harrisburg Campus of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College.

Inspired by a traditional Persian poem, “Temptation of the Muses” combines original poetry, music and dance choreography, blending traditional Asian and modern Western influences. "Like endlessly proliferating forces of cosmic energy," said the New York Times.

Dance company founder Nai-Ni Chen was born in Taiwan and performed as a traditional dancer in the Republic of China. She moved to the United States where she started her dance company in 1988. Her trademark style has included a wide-ranging repertory, from dances that originated thousands of years ago to highly abstract, modern works.

The Ahn Trio, a chamber ensemble of cello, violin and piano, offers its musical accompaniment as an integral part of the performance. Dancers move around the trio and trio members sometimes move while playing. The trio includes Angella, Maria and Lucia Ahn of Seoul, South Korea.

A talkback with Chen and the performers immediately follows the show.

Show tickets are $39 for adults and $19 for students. To order tickets, call 717-231-ROSE (7673) or go to www.LiveatRoseLehrman.org.

“Temptation of the Muses” is sponsored by the Lois Lehrman Grass Foundation,  The Hershey Company, and the Chinese Cultural and Arts Institute, with grant support from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Cultural Enrichment Fund and the Richmond Foundation. Media sponsors are WITF and abc27.