Performers travel from Beijing to present Peking Opera at International Festival.

(Indianapolis) The main stage at the 2008 International Festival will feature performances of Peking Opera from the Beijing Theatre in Beijing, China.  The 32nd annual International Festival, brought to you by AAA Hoosier Motor Club, will be presented November 20 through 23 at the West Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.  Peking Opera performances are being hosted by the Nationalities Council of Indiana and three of its member organizations:  The Indiana Association of Chinese Americans, the Indianapolis Chinese Community Center, and the Eli Lilly Chinese Cultural Network.

Peking Opera, an art form that originated over 200 years ago, offers performances that traditionally combine music, vocal performance, mime, dance, and acrobatics.  The performers of Peking Opera typically work on sparse stages drawing the focus of the audience to their elaborate and colorful costumes. The performers combine speech, song, dance, and combat in movements that are symbolic and suggestive, rather than realistic.

At the 2008 International Festival, the Peking Opera performers from the Beijing Theatre Association are expected to present vignettes that will be movement-intensive with sword fights, acrobatics, and martial arts accompanied by traditional Chinese musical instruments.  The tradition of Peking Opera draws on a repertoire that is based on Chinese history, folklore, and even contemporary life issues.

The primary mission of the International Festival is to bring people together and encourage them to learn about other countries and cultures in an open and friendly setting.  The Nationalities Council works to accomplish that mission by presenting programs at the International Festival that support cross-cultural awareness, encourage appreciation for other cultures through dynamic ethnic performing arts, and present authentic performing arts not generally available in the central Indiana community.
 
The Peking Opera performances will be staged throughout the International Festival including the special school presentation hours for students and teachers that are set for Thursday, November 20 and Friday, November 21 between 10:00am to 2:00pm.  General public Peking Opera performances will be on the main stage of the International Festival on Friday evening, November 21 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm; Saturday, November 22 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm and 7:00pm to 8:00pm; and on Sunday, November 22 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm.

-END-