The Columbia Chronicle features ‘Guardians of the Earth and Sky,’ a performance that blended Asian American history with Chinese culture through dance.
Senior dance major Areli Ramirez was assistant producer for the performance, now in its third year. The production returns on July 19 to Ping Tom Park and on July 26 at Jackson Park.
“At Palmisano Park on Chicago’s South Side, the twinkling sound of wind chimes and cymbals carried through the breeze as dancers Irene Hsiao and Peter Wong performed before a crowd, inviting spectators to become part of the performance.
Columbia senior dance major Areli Ramirez served as assistant producer for ‘Guardians of the Earth and Sky,’ an interactive production inspired by the ancient Chinese philosophical text ‘Huainanzi.’
As Hsiao, the performance director, broke away from Wong, she placed the wind chimes she carried into the hands of the audience members.
‘It kind of feels like I’m stepping into the real world outside of the Dance Center,’ Ramirez said. ‘I’m outside. I’m working with other dancers who are from the Chicago community, and it opens me up to other people, too.’
Ramirez was working at the Dance Center on campus when producing director Roell Schmidt asked if she wanted to work on the performance this summer. Although it took some adjusting to the new role, Ramirez said that it was a good learning experience…”
