Jasmine Performs at the Nelson-Atkins Lunar New Year Festival

This year, Jasmine delivered an exceptional performance at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s Lunar New Year celebration. Despite heavy snow, the team persevered to ensure the show went on. The event, held since 1996, celebrates Chinese culture and tradition. Jasmine’s thirty-seven dancers, nearly a quarter of all performers, presented ten dances over forty-five minutes. Jasmine hopes to share the beauty of Chinese culture, and bring everyone in the community together in celebration of the new year.

The first dance was "Galloping Ponies", a lively dance inspired by Mongolian folk dance and playful choreography that embodies the gallop of young horses. The next dance, called, "Han Dynasty Flute Dance" featured graceful movements with a flute as the prop.

Galloping Ponies

The following dances were "Elephant King's Journey" and "Only This Green". Next, a classical group dance, inspired by the elegance of Jiangnan and the waters of Suzhou is called, "Whispers of Water and Silk." The dancers used silk cloths and buckets to create grace and harmony within the dance.

Whispers of Water and Silk

The next dances were "Fleeting Light" and "Spring Budding", which were both beautiful and graceful dances. Following that, "The Red Umbrellas of Youth" involved red umbrellas that symbolize youth with vitality and hope. The final dance was called, "People by the Sea." This dance is inspired by the ocean, and it blends with Chinese dance, jazz, and hip-hop. The dancers shift between dynamic energy and quiet depth which captures the harmony of their movement.

The Red Umbrellas of Youth

People by the Sea

After all the dances concluded, the dancers came on stage again for a final bow. We are all very thankful for our director, instructors, and volunteers for making this annual Chinese New Year performance at the Nelson Museum happen!

Jasmine Director Jinsong along with Jasmine performers in the Atkins auditorium on stage

Youth leader team and volunteers leading the interactive segment

Interactive Ribbon Dance

Following our main performance at the Nelson, our Youth Leader team led an interactive ribbon dance. First, we demonstrated how to use the Chinese ribbons with a short dance, and then we invited participants of all ages to experience the joy of ribbon dancing on stage. This interactive segment helped strengthen the connection between performers and the community.

The event was a tremendous success for both the performers and the Jasmine group members. The Nelson-Atkins Lunar New Year Festival showcased many unique and remarkable performances, and the Jasmine Chinese Group (堪萨斯茉莉花舞蹈团) left a lasting impression on the audience and the stage!

~Photography by Lifang, Tuo Chen, XinQun Zheng