The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company will celebrate the 2025 Lunar New Year of the Snake with performances at four distinguished venues: Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark, Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture in the Bronx, and Proctor’s Theatre in Schenectady, NY. This year’s celebration brings ancient traditions and contemporary artistry to diverse communities, sharing the themes of wisdom, transformation, and resilience embodied by the Year of the Snake.

The Lunar New Year Celebration program blends ancient Chinese traditions with contemporary movement, celebrating themes of harmony and renewal. Opening with “Lion in the City,” a fusion of traditional Lion Dance and hip-hop, the piece symbolizes peace and cultural collaboration. A duet inspired by the Legend of the White Snake highlights empowerment, especially for women, while “Tiger and Water Lilies” contrasts strength and beauty, blending contemporary ballet with Asian dance forms. “Unfolding,” a collaboration of Nai-Ni Chen with a Korean Janggu performer in the early 2000s, explores life’s continuous change, echoing the I-Ching’s philosophy of transformation and reflecting on the symbolism of the Snake. The evening culminates in “Dragon Festival,” where the dragon—symbolizing prosperity and balance—descends from the heavens, blessing the community with good fortune for the coming year. The Snake, revered in Chinese culture for its agility and wisdom, reminds us to embrace personal growth and adaptability, making this celebration a reflection on transformation, unity, and cultural heritage.

The Company will premiere a new dance for the Year of the Snake with a collaboration using the music, Dances of the Golden Snake. The new dance will be created by Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company’s Director of Traditional Dance and Preservation, Ying Shi. The dance is based on one of the most featured festive music played during Chinese festivals, including the Beijing Olympics. This is a vibrant, upbeat dance that expresses people’s passion for gathering and the joy they wish to share with the world. The choreographer uses a variety of props and dance steps and props from the Han people of central China to bring a big smile to everyone’s face.

Featured Dances

Lion in the City: A fusion of traditional Lion Dance and hip-hop, symbolizing peace and cultural collaboration. Created in 2022 by New Jersey choreographer PeiJu Chien-Pott and legendary Hip-Hop pioneers Rokafella and Kwikstep, this piece celebrates the intersection of tradition and modernity, bringing communities together through innovative artistic expression.

Tiger and Water Lilies: Blending contemporary ballet and Asian dance, this piece draws inspiration from the rich artistic and cultural traditions of Southeastern Asia. The dance highlights the region’s emphasis on the harmony between humanity and nature, with movements symbolizing the coexistence of strength and delicacy, much like the tiger and the water lilies themselves. By incorporating elements reflective of Southeast Asian storytelling and artistic aesthetics, this performance celebrates the cultural depth and vibrancy of the region.

Dragon Festival: Celebrating the vibrancy and symbolism of the traditional Dragon Dance. In Chinese culture, the dragon is a revered symbol of strength, prosperity, and good fortune. It is believed to control water, rain, and the seas, making it essential for agricultural success. During Chinese New Year, the Dragon Dance is performed to usher in blessings, drive away evil spirits, and bring harmony to the community. This dance, with its bold movements and vivid colors, embodies the collective hopes for a year of abundance and joy.

Dances of the Golden Snake: A vibrant premiere choreographed by Ying Shi, showcasing festive elements and traditional props from China’s Han culture. This dance draws inspiration from the iconic Chinese music piece “Crazy Dance of the Golden Snake,” a lively composition known for its dynamic rhythms and celebratory tone. Often played during festive occasions, the music evokes a sense of joy and unity, perfectly complementing the dance’s vibrant choreography. Using traditional Chinese dance techniques and innovative movements, this piece brings the energy and passion of Lunar New Year celebrations to life.

Snake Duet: Inspired by the Legend of the White Snake, this dance explores themes of empowerment, sisterhood, and resilience. The Legend of the White Snake tells the story of a magical White Snake and her companion, the Green Snake, who descend to the human world in pursuit of love and freedom. Despite facing societal rejection and oppression, the two embody solidarity and strength, making this piece a poignant reflection on identity and transformation.

Unfolding: Exploring shared Chinese and Korean heritage through the philosophy of the I-Ching. The I-Ching, also known as the Book of Changes, is one of the oldest Chinese classics, providing guidance on harmony, transformation, and the cyclical nature of life. This dance reflects the dynamic interplay of opposites, inspired by the I-Ching’s core concept of change as the only constant. It artfully embodies the universal themes of balance and adaptability, encouraging a deep connection with the rhythms of nature and humanity.

Venue Information

Kupferberg Center for the Arts: January 25 & 26, 2025, at 3:00 PM | 53-49 Reeves Ave, Flushing, NY | Tickets: $20 (no fees); purchase online at kupferbergcenter.org/lny-tickets or by phone at (718) 793-8080.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC): February 1, 2025, at 7:30 PM | 1 Center St, Newark, NJ | Tickets: Visit njpac.org for details.

Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture: February 16, 2025, at 3:00 PM | 450 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY | Tickets: Available at hostoscenter.org.

Proctor’s Theatre: February 6, 2025, at 8:00 PM | 432 State Street, Schenectady, NY | Tickets: Visit proctors.org for details.