PREVIEW: Asian Arts New York Brings a Journey of Love and Hope to the Capital Region
11/29 @ The Arts Center of the Capital Region
“Our goal is to show that art transcends boundaries and connects people. This production celebrates the universal values of courage, generosity, and compassion.”
Asian Arts New York presents a “Journey of Love and Hope – A Peking Opera Musical” this Saturday, November 29 at the Arts Center of the Capital Region. Wei Qin, president and founder, sat down with me to discuss this exciting new production and her journey with Asian Arts New York.
After immigrating to the U.S from China and raising her family, Wei felt moved to share her passion for Asian art and culture with the broader community. Since its recent founding, she has earned funding from the state for the organization, as well as several personal accolades for her work preserving cultural heritage. In its short tenure, the organization has run various programs and community events to engage the community, including Tai Chi and Chinese painting classes, art exhibits celebrating Asian art, fundraisers, and more. While much of the current programming primarily features Eastern Asian culture, as that is the background of many of those involved in the organization, Wei aspires to reach wider audiences and celebrate the vast beauty of the region.
Fittingly, their upcoming Peking Opera Musical celebrates the “blending of the East and West” in a cross-cultural exploration of “compassion, struggle, love, and hope.” With elements of Peking Opera mixed with Italian Opera, Tibetan dancers, Eastern Folk music, and live accompaniment, the show mirrors the organization’s desire to break boundaries in its performance.
“Our goal is to show that art transcends boundaries and connects people,” Wei says. “This production celebrates the universal values of courage, generosity, and compassion.”
Aptly named Journey of Love and Hope, this original musical follows the story of a young girl who sets out on a mission to help the less fortunate. Wei describes it as “a story of how motivation with real action can change the world.” She explains to me the emphasis on joy and fun while also delving into this meaningful story exploring grief and a universal struggle.
Wei notes that this exciting, and simultaneously thought provoking, show is the perfect family outing for the holiday season. Gleaming with a smile, Wei tells me, “At the end of the day, we hope the audience has a good time. There’s singing, dancing, dialogue in English, drama, frustration, happiness – it is a musical after all!”
Wei also explained how important the active role that members of the community played in the making of the opera. She saw that so many local, talented arts were being “caged within their own community” and unable to reach the broader public. Through the wide-reaching cultural components of this show, and the commitment Wei has made to diversify the organization’s reach, this goal of outreach to a wider community is becoming a reality.
In an increasingly divisive political landscape, there seems to be a crucial need for this type of cross-cultural celebration. “The whole meaning of bringing love, hope, and harmony with the backdrop of the blended styles and diverse cast,” Wei says, “...it’s a project I believe that – in this slightly controversial time we live in – it brings meaning to people.”
This production shows a commitment to sharing Asian culture and art with the region, promoting the notion that our cultural differences enrich our lives and widen our perspectives, not divide us. So, if you’ve never heard of “Peking Opera”, or are unfamiliar with Tibetan dance, let this be a reminder to step out of your bubble and immerse yourself in the global community that lives and thrives just mere miles away.
Saturday, November 29 at 5:30pm
The Arts Center of the Capital Region
Tickets start at $25 for students and children, $30 for seniors, and $35 for general admission. Available for purchase at https://asianartsny.org/events and in person before the performance.
To donate to Asian Arts New York in their ongoing efforts to share culture and tradition with the community, visit https://asianartsny.org/donation.
