CELEBRATING THE SUMMER OLYMPICS AT THE PRE-SHOW

PRESENTATION OF CHINESE AMERICAN NIGHT

August 3 at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre

at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow at 6:00pm

It is not necessary to be in Beijing to enjoy the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics. You can enjoy the grandeur and majesty of China’s cultural heritage right here in Nassau County.

In celebration of the August opening of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, the Chinese Center on Long Island, Inc, with a partial grant from the Long Island Council of the Arts at Freeport has planned a spectacular pre show presentation prior to Nassau County’s Chinese American Night on Sunday, August 3 at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. This pre-show presentation and the following two hour cultural performance are open to the public at no charge. Bring your lawn chairs and snacks. This evening’s pre-show presentation will give the public a close and personal encounter with Chinese culture as though they were in Beijing themselves!

At the pre-show, on the lawn in front of the theatre, before “curtain time” from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, there will be fascinating demonstrations of different art forms which originated in China. The arts and crafts demonstrations with “hands on” audience participation include origami making, calligraphy and kite and fan painting and other crafts.

On the lawn, Chinese musicians will be playing melodies on their traditional instruments so that one can see and hear them at close range. A children’s chorus will recite Chinese nursery rhymes and folksongs which will also be taught to the attendees.

A very special guest will be Ai Ling Louie, the author of the children’s classic “Yeh Shen: A Cinderella Story from China” who will read her book to the pre-show audience. Children owning copies of her book are invited to bring them for her to autograph. Chinese story tellers will be reciting both folk tales and traditional Chinese Poetry.

Through out the pre-show “walking encyclopedias” dressed in gorgeous authentic traditional apparel will be available to answer your questions about Chinese art, music, history, food and customs. Make sure you bring your camera to have your photos taken with our experts.

The pre-show will be followed by Nassau County’s Chinese American Night’s two hour performance. As you enjoy the show, you can just imagine yourself at the opening ceremonies!

This year’s program will feature lion dancing by no less than five exuberant lions. The world famous Shao Lin Martial Arts Masters will amaze you with their breathtaking technique and skills. Graceful Chinese folk dancers will entrance you. A riveting performance by an authentic master performer will be “Changing Faces” which is rarely seen outside of China will be enjoyed by all. A new aspect of Chinese American performing arts will be the appearance of the Hsu-nami Rock Band which mingles the music of East and West in an exciting venue! Also, not to be forgotten is the world class Cao Bao An Chinese Orchestra whose credits include performances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. There will be other performers who will delight you with their talent. What a wonderful way to celebrate the opening of the Beijing Summer Olympics! We hope to see you all at Eisenhower Park that evening.

Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Parking Fields 6 & 6A. Free Admission. Open to non residents and residents. Directions: Enter the Park from Hempstead Turnpike and East Meadow Ave which is the south side of the park. Drive north on Park Blvd and enter Parking Fields 6 and 6A. Must bring lawn chairs. For further information: Please call Nassau County Department of Parks at 1 516 572 0252. No rain date.
 

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This event is sponsored by Nassau County Department of Recreation and Parks, Canon Camera, Chinese Center on Long Island, Chinese American Association of North Hempstead and AM1240-WGBB radio on Long Island. This project was made possible in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program, administered by the LI Arts Council at Freeport, NY.