Ah-Lan Chinese Dance

龙年快乐！Happy Year of the Dragon!

aelegant — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:34:42 +0000

We are welcoming in the Year of the Dragon with a pair of great performances.

On New Year’s Day we had the first of our annual Chinese New Year performances at the Albany Community Center. It was a great success sharing Chinese culture with many of Albany’s youngest. Our youngest girls, our boys class, and the dancers who have joined us throughout the year were amazing in their debut performance.

Come encourage these new dancers and see the exciting dances we have prepared at tomorrow’s performance and parade. You’re also in for a special treat watching the amazing acrobatic feats of SF Circus members.

The performance starts at 10 AM. Come early to get a seat at this blockbuster annual event of the Albany Chinese community at Albany’s Twin Theater. Then join us at noon in parading up Solano Avenue and sharing the New Year spirit with Albany and Berkeley.

We always welcome new students. If the performances inspire you, join us for class.

Saturday 10/8 Ballet Class Canceled

aelegant — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 22:30:28 +0000

Due to conflicts with the teachers’ schedules all classes on Saturday October 8th have been postponed until January 15th, 2012.

Enjoy Fleet week.

We look forward to seeing everyone next Saturday, October 15th.

Saturday 7/30 Ballet Class Moved

aelegant — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 04:50:55 +0000

Due to important public hearings occurring at the Albany Community Center both ballet classes are going to be held in the Multipurpose room at Ocean View Elementary School (1000 Jackson Street). Both classes will occur there at there normal times. (Kid’s Class 2:00-3:00, the combined teen and adult class 3:00-4:30).

You may have heard that class was canceled. This is not true. It has been MOVED.

Glorious Chinese Gala performance

aelegant — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 06:17:00 +0000

Adult Class Performs "Thousand Hands" During Dress Rehearsal

On June 6th we came together for our year end Gala performance. The bustling audience got to watch the dancers show the Chinese and ballet dances they spent the year preparing. The show was highlighted by “Chuyao”, a dance performed by our director, Ah-lan, herself. Other highlights included the flashing swords of the teenage class, “Old Beijing” with the accompaniment of Ms. Sun Wei, and the guest performance of Xiaohong Weng and Jennings McGown, faculty of Circus Center of San Francisco.

Check back for more pictures soon.

Check out the coverage “Chinese Dance Pageant Packs Theater” by Charles Burress on El Cerrito Patch.

Introducing Three New Classes for Fall

aelegant — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:42:41 +0000

1) Wugong class on Mondays from 6:25pm to 7:25pm. This is in addition to Thursday night’s Wugong class.
Please note: 8 is the minimum age to take either Wugong class. Like the Thursday Wugong class, this class is also by instructor invitation. Students who take both Wugong classes will get a discount. In this class students will learn advanced Chinese dance technique. Wugong helps dancers with strength and flexibility and is fundamental to preparing the body for dance.

2) Chinese Dance Class for Exercise will be on Monday nights from 7:30pm to 8:30pm. This is a new class for adults who want to learn Chinese dance but prefer not to perform on stage. Ah-lan will teach dance styles from different regions of China. Popular Chinese songs will be use to accompany the dances, so you can enjoy beautiful Chinese music while you dance.

3) Boys’ Dance class on Saturday afternoons from 4:00pm to 5:00pm for ages 6-10. This class will focus on Chinese dance techniques and Wugong and learn different styles of Chinese Dance. This class will prepare for stage performances. Ah-lan and an assistant teacher will prepare the boys for a performance next June.

Learn About our other classes and class expectations on our classes page.

Looking for a summer class? Our Chinese dance classes are on break for the summer, but we still have summer ballet classes.

Summer Ballet Classes

aelegant — Sat, 21 May 2011 18:50:10 +0000

Please Note: Both Ballet Classes on Saturday July 30th, 2011 are moved to the multipurpose room at Ocean View Elementary School (1000 Jackson Street). They will be held at the same time as normal.

Take summer Ballet Classes with Alissa. With the longer format more techniques are taught and more individual attention given. The class will start with a basic floor warm-up, which will be followed by barre exercises and center combinations. It is a great way to improve your ballet and prepare for the fall Chinese dance classes.

Class Details

This is a Saturday class that runs June 18-August 20 with no class on July 2nd for Independence day.

Children’s Class (Ages 5-10): 2-3 PM
Teens & Adults (Ages 11 and up): 3-4:30

Take all 9 classes or select any 6. Class meets in rooms 1&2 of the Albany Community Center. For registration details check out page 3 of the Albany Activity Guide, pick it up at the Community Center or read it online.

Spring Gala 2011: Mark Your Calendars!

aelegant — Sun, 08 May 2011 18:22:50 +0000

Our grand spring gala is less than a month away. Mark your calendars for Sunday June 5th at 3pm.
Come see what we have been preparing this year. There will be gentle little lambs, flashing swords and a few other surprises. Jaws dropped in February for the acrobatics performed by Xiaohong Weng and Jennings McGown, faculty of the San francisco Circus Center. Prepare to once again be amazed, for they are guest performers in the gala. Ms. Sun Wei, a top ranked singer in China, will sing, and there will be more dancing than ever before.

Price: $15

Ticketing: If you know a performer contact them about securing you tickets. Otherwise email chineseartsprogram@yahoo.com for ticketing information.

Location: El Cerrito High School Theater
540 Ashbury Avenue, El Cerrito 94530

Spring Gala 2011 Poster

May 1st: We’re at the Albany Arts and Green Festival

aelegant — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:52:40 +0000

Manchurian Court Dance from 2010 Albany Arts and Green Festival

Maybe you saw us perform this year at Albany’s Lunar New Year Celebration, or even last year at Albany’s Arts and Green Festival, but this is your special chance to watch us outside under the sun. You’ll see a little lamb dance from Xinjiang, and a dance from Tibet. Additionally you can see a Classical Chinese dance, and a dance about the traditional art of paper cuttings.

We're going to be performing at 11:25, on May 1st, in Albany's Memorial Park in front of the Veteran's building. This is a free performance, open to audience members of all ages.

For more information about the Festival check out the city of Albany’s webpage.

Enjoyed the performance? Check out our upcoming performances and classes.

Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with Dance

aelegant — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 06:23:46 +0000

We are celebrating the Year of the Rabbit with two free performances.

This Thursday, Feb. 3rd find us between 3:30 and 5 performing in the Albany Community Center Chinese New Year Celebration.

Sunday, Feb. 6th come watch us dance in the Solano Avenue Association sponsored performance between 10 am and noon at the Albany Twin Theater. Then join us after for the Parade along Solano. For more information you can find the flyer here.

Register for the New Session!

aelegant — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:49:28 +0000

Dear All,

I hope you all had a great Holidays. It is the time to dance again.
The new Chinese dance session started this past week for both Thursday and Saturday classes. Please register ASAP. Please call to register : 510-524-9283.

Best wishes and Good Luck to you and your family for the coming 2011!

Ah-lan