(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)February 19, 2002

(Mahwah) — The Peking Acrobats, a troupe of 26 of China’s most gifted tumblers, contortionists, jugglers, bicyclists, gymnasts and live musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments will bring their 2,000 year-old tradition of acrobatics to North America for an extensive 50-city tour. They will perform in the Sharp Theater at Ramapo College of New Jersey Saturday, March 17 at 1 and 4:30 p.m.

Daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs, treacherous wire walking, trick cycling, powerful precision tumbling and gymnastics showcase tremendous skill and ability and produce all the excitement and festive pageantry of a Chinese carnival. The Peking Acrobats played to sold-out houses and earned rave reviews and standing ovations during their previous tours from 1986 through 2001. A review in the Los Angeles Times stated, “The Peking Acrobats regularly passed from the seemingly impossible to the virtually unbelievable.”

A performance by the Peking Acrobats presents the opportunity to view the epitome of a rich and ancient folk art tradition in addition to the pageantry and spectacle of a Chinese circus. The ability to perform the astounding is rooted in centuries of Chinese history and folk art. Records of acrobatic acts can be found as early as the Ch’in Dynasty (225-207 B.C.). Acrobatics originated from the people’s daily life, drawing from their experiences in work, war and sacrificial rites. During the Warring States Period, acrobatics became widespread and during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.) acrobatics flourished and the wide variety of juggling, tumbling and magic acts came to be known as the “Hundred Entertainments.” It was during this time that Emperor Wu Di presented the first grand acrobatic performance at the Imperial Court.

Today, professional acrobatic troupes travel throughout China bringing their own unique costumes, stage props and acrobatic styles to factories, villages, army units, remote areas and frontier outposts. The Chinese acrobatic tradition just gets stronger due to the continued innovation of the artists and the endless enthusiasm from the public.

The Sharp Theater is located in the Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts on the Ramapo College campus. Tickets are: $18 general admission; $15 seniors; $10 students with a valid I.D.. For ticket information, please call (201) 684-7844.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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