Although Westerners tend to associate acrobats with the circus, the only "animals" you're likely to see in this acrobatic performance are lions — lion dancers, that is.
And though the show features strong men and contortionists, the jugglers aren't clowns and, rather than their arms, they're likely to use their feet to hurl objects in the air.
Recently arriving from China, The Peking Acrobats will perform awe-inspiring feats of traditional Chinese acrobatics for audiences Friday night, at Sunset Center in Carmel.
This tour marks the 26th year that the troupe has toured North America. The Carmel performance will be one of the first as the artists embark upon the three-month tour in 80 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The Peking Acrobats were the first Chinese acrobat troupe to bring their art to North America, said Cynthia Dike-Hughes, co-producer of the company.
After traveling to China in 1985, Don Hughes and third-generation acrobat Ken Hai decided to put together a show they could bring back to the United States to introduce the Western world to the rich cultural heritage of China.
With Hughes as the presenter and Hai as director, they received government approval to bring the show to North America in 1986.
"They did it to foster cultural understanding," explained Dike-Hughes. "They thought that if people could understand each other's cultures, they'd be less likely to shoot each other. The idea is about breaking
Since their debut performance, the troupe has redefined public perception of Chinese acrobatics. With the festive pageantry of a Chinese carnival, they perform traditional acts from the more than 2,000-year-old history of the art form, including lion dancing, foot juggling, precision tumbling, plate spinning and hoop diving. Typical performances also feature elements of martial arts and traditional music.
Many of the props that the artists use are common household items, such as bowls, plates, glass cups, ropes, hats, umbrellas and rugs.
This is a reflection of the art's beginnings in China's peasantry during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.), when common people performed acrobatic stunts to amuse themselves in their off-time.
Dike-Hughes said that acrobatics became part of the court entertainment during the Han Dynasty, explaining, "It was also a way of showing power and organizational skills to other countries, (akin) to modern-day taunting. It was an ancient form of politics."
Despite its antiquated origins, the art of Chinese acrobatics continues to wow audiences today with feats of daring and skill as each generation of young performers adds new features to the millennia-old art form.
"Our show has been going for 26 years because we're always changing the performance," said Dike-Hughes. "Ken works with the performers to develop new acts, and make new twists on old acts."
In addition to the regular tour schedule, The Peking Acrobats have been featured in numerous television appearances, including ABC's "Wide World of Sports" and NBC's "Ring in the New Year Holiday Special."
They have also appeared on shows such as Nickelodeon's "Unfabulous," and "Ellen's Really Big Show," hosted by comedian and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres.
They even set the world record for the Human Chair Stack on Fox's "Guinness Book of World Records" primetime TV show, where they precariously balanced six people atop six chairs stacked 21 feet in the air.
"The performers really take great personal and national pride in bringing their art form to the U.S.," said Dike-Hughes. "Especially in these times, it's a very uplifting show. It gives you a feeling you can go out and do anything with your life because you see what these performers have done with their lives. That's the wonderful magic of this show."
Lily Dayton can be reached at montereybaylily@gmail.com. GO!
PERFORMANCE
·What: The Peking Acrobats
·Where: Sunset Center, San Carlos at Ninth Avenue, Carmel
·When: 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20
·Tickets: Start at $39; available at box office (620-2048) or online at www.sunsetcenter.org
·Information: www.sunsetcenter.org, 620-2048
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