(Posted June 22, 2010)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Juniata College is trying a bold new idea by scheduling one of its Juniata Presents concerts in the summer as the Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats bring their brand of traditional tumbling, juggling and general amazement to campus at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 29 in Rosenberger Auditorium in Oller Hall on the Juniata campus.

For tickets and information about the Juniata College Presents series, please call (814) 641-JTIX (5849) or visit www.juniatapresents.com. General admission tickets for single performances start at $12.

The awe-inspiring acts of acrobatics used by the Golden Dragon troupe date back more than 2,000 years to the traditional leisure activities of Chinese workers. Over centuries, such acrobatic routines as the human pagoda, rope-walking and the "dancing horse" were perfected and taught to traveling ensembles of entertainers. Although the ruling class of China felt that acrobatics were unsuitable as entertainment, the dazzling troupes remained popular throughout China, performing mostly at open-air festivals and regional celebrations.

The Golden Dragon Acrobats, a 20-member group, mix acrobatics, traditional dance, theatrical presentations and spectacular costumes into a single show. The group has performed in 65 countries across five continents, including such venues as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and Caesar's Palace in Atlantic City, N.J.

The artistic director of the group is Danny Chang, who has been performing since age10, beginning with an acrobatic troupe formed by the Chang Family Acrobatic School of Taipei. He has received Distinguished Skill in Performance Awards from the Republic of China's Ministry of Education and was awarded the Medal for International Faith and Goodwill by the Republic of China's Coordination Council for North American Affairs.

The choreographer and costume designer is Angela Chang. She earned a degree in Chinese folk dance from the Chinese Cultural College of Taipei and worked as coordinator of cultural programming for the Taiwan Television Corporation.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.