Spirit Dance

By Sommer Mathis
Arizona Daily Wildcat
April 9, 1998

Arizona Daily Wildcat
"The Passage of Enlightenmen" incorporates traditional ribbon dance to draw on the metaphorical nature of thechoreography and performance work of Tzu-hua chen.

Modern dance is one of those mediums that lends itself to a selective audience. Most performances are frequented only by those who are somehow connected to the dance community, or are dancers themselves. But this weekend, even those who have never delved into that world may want to check out Tzu-hua Chen, or Mimi, as she's been nicknamed, as she showcases her choreography and dancing skills in her master of fine arts performance, "Passage of Enlightenment."

Mimi is one of those rare choreographers/dancers who has so many different styles of dance at her fingertips that her work can speak to almost anyone. Originally from China, she studied at the Taiwan Academy of National Arts before coming to Tucson and receiving a bachelor of fine arts degree in dance from the University of Arizona. She is well studied in modern, ballet and Chinese traditional dance, which makes for a unique result that is truly all Mimi - but you don't have to know her to understand her dancing.

"I try to pull together the community," Mimi said, "and try to make an understanding between two cultures."

"Passage of Enlightenment" promises to do just that, and includes pieces that focus on a breadth of ideas including Eastern philosophy, nature and human relationships.

Now a graduate student in the dance department, Mimi has taken her commitment to the local community far beyond the stage. She currently teaches Chinese traditional dance at the Tucson Chinese School, and has presented dances at "Tucson Meet Yourself" and for Chinese New Year celebrations at a local nursing home.

"I ask, how can I contribute to the community? That's my goal," she said.

Mimi's choreography has now been embraced by many people, as she has presented her work at the Tulsa Dance Festival and The American Dance College Festival in Wyoming. Last fall she won first place in the University of Arizona Student Showcase. Her performance this weekend represents years of study and creative drive.

"The Passage of Enlightenment," the title piece of the show, took Mimi a full year to choreograph, and will incorporate Oriental ribbon dance along with modern and ballet influenced movement. "It includes my feelings of nature," she said. "For example, fire, water and rainbows."

Many of the pieces in the show also include original music composed by doctoral students in the music program. Word on the street has it that the music for "Journey of the Spirit," composed by Thomas Woodson, is especially impressive.

Tzu-hua Chen's "Passage of Enlightenment" will be at the Gittings Dance Theatre, April 10 and 11 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $8, $5 for students and seniors. For advance tickets or more info., call 621-4698.