Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The internationally acclaimed Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26, in W.M. Turner Auditorium as the final event on the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts' 2007-2008 University Series.

Nai-Ni Chen, the company's founder, artistic director and choreographer, was born in Taiwan and trained in traditional Chinese and modern dance. Her choreography, which is often inspired by Chinese folk rituals and ceremonies, the poetic motion of the Chinese paintbrush and the phenomena of nature, combines the elegant splendor of Asian art with the dynamic freedom of American modern dance.

The Nacogdoches performance includes seven dances, some of which employ one to five dancers and others that involve the entire 10-member company.

"The Legend of Double Spear Warrior, Lu Wen-Long," a solo dance from the Chinese Kunque Opera, features a young, powerful general carrying double spears and dressed in platform shoes and headdress of bird feathers.

"River of Dreams," a duet performed by Lindsay Parker and Qiao Zeng, was inspired by the image of the Black Dragon River flowing beneath the White Mountain in northeast China. In the dance, a fisherman paddles down the river while the spirit of water accompanies him on his long journey into eternity.

The entire company will close the concert with "Festival," a dance that depicts the summertime Chinese Dragon Boat Festival and employs colorful ribbons.

The bright colors, beautiful movements and a fusion of two diverse dance styles will make the performance an enjoyable evening for the entire family, said Sylvia Bierschenk, director of Arts Information at SFA.

Prior to the concert, Elizabeth Rhodes, SFA professor of dance, will give a 7 p.m. informative talk in Griffith Gallery, across the hall from Turner Auditorium. The audience is invited back to the gallery after the performance for a reception honoring the event's corporate sponsor, Regions Bank of Nacogdoches. The Griffith Fine Arts Building is located at 2222 Alumni Drive.

Tickets to the concert range from $35 to $17.50, with discounts available for seniors, students and youth. For tickets or more information, please visit www.sfasu.edu/finearts or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.