Performance Review: Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company’s Lunar New Year of the Snake

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company’s Lunar New Year of the Snake

In a dazzling display of local artistic excellence, the Fort Lee-based Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company's 2025 Lunar New Year celebration at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center showcases the incredible depth of Chinese-American talent flourishing in the New Jersey and New York metropolitan area. This 36-year-old company, a crown jewel of New Jersey's cultural landscape, demonstrates why our region has become a powerhouse for multicultural performing arts.

Executive Director Andy Cheung, who has been instrumental in bringing these celebrations to all five boroughs of New York City and New Jersey for three decades, continues to elevate the company's artistic vision. Under his leadership, this Year of the Wood Snake celebration perfectly captures the transformative spirit of our vibrant Chinese-American community, proving that world-class cultural performances don't require a trip across the Hudson to Manhattan.

The program's centerpiece, "Dance of the Golden Snake," choreographed by the brilliant Ying Shi, exemplifies the sophistication of Chinese-American artistry in our region. Shi's choreography, set to the iconic "Crazy Dance of the Golden Snake," demonstrates how local artists are keeping traditional Chinese culture alive while adding contemporary flair. The dancers' masterful manipulation of traditional props – a hallmark of Chinese dance that sets it apart from Western traditions – showcases the rigorous training and dedication prevalent in our local dance community.

One cannot help but be moved by the company's interpretation of "The Legend of the White Snake," one of China's four classical literary masterpieces. This piece particularly resonates with the Chinese-American experience, telling the story of transformation and the fight for recognition – themes that echo throughout our diverse metropolitan community. The dancers bring this centuries-old tale to life with a sensitivity and power that speaks to both traditional and contemporary audiences.

The technical prowess of the dancers shines brilliantly in "Ninja Under the Umbrella," where Ying Shi's innovative choreography transforms ordinary umbrellas into tools of artistic expression. The performers execute complex jumps and turns with remarkable precision, their movements so swift and clean they seem to defy physics. This piece perfectly demonstrates how our region's dancers can take traditional elements and elevate them to new heights of artistic achievement.

Perhaps most heartening is the performance of "Dai Flowers" by the young dancers from FA Dance Academy of Livingston, NJ. These twelve talented performers, representing the next generation of Chinese-American artists, display remarkable discipline and grace. Their performance, characterized by intricate footwork and harmonious coordination, proves that our local dance schools are nurturing world-class talent right here in New Jersey.

The company's diverse roster, including artists from Canada, Philippines, and Taiwan who have chosen to make our metropolitan area their home, reflects the cultural richness of our region. Yet it's their collective dedication to celebrating Chinese cultural heritage that creates such powerful performances. These dancers demonstrate how our area has become a magnet for international talent while maintaining strong connections to traditional Chinese arts.

In bringing these ancient traditions to life through dragons, lions, acrobatics, and ribbons, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company proves that the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area is not just a cultural melting pot, but a place where artistic traditions can evolve and flourish. The company's annual Lunar New Year performance has become more than just a celebration – it's a testament to the exceptional Chinese-American artistic community that calls our region home.

As we enter the Year of the Wood Snake, symbolizing transformation and renewal, this performance reminds us how fortunate we are to have such extraordinary talent in our own backyard. The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company continues to demonstrate that when it comes to world-class Chinese cultural performances, audiences need look no further than Fort Lee, New Jersey. This celebration of the Lunar New Year doesn't just honor traditions – it showcases the bright future of Chinese-American performing arts in our metropolitan area.