'Spring begins': Contemporary dance show based on China's solar terms

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Beijing may have just seen its first snow, but the promise of spring is not far away. Over at the city's LDTX theater, the spirit of the season is on full display. Performers there have staged a dance showcase featuring five stunningly choreographed original routines.

Li chun is one of China's 24 solar terms. The name literally translates to "Spring begins". It's a phrase that's rich in symbolism, signifying the start of good things and the release of accumulated knowledge. These themes were richly portrayed at Beijing's LDTX Theater.

A poster for dance showcase "Spring Festival". /Photo via Beijing Dance/LDTX

"There are two parts to our Li chun production, the first part was staged before the Spring Festival and this is the second part. It contains dances with different styles, with dancers showing their distinguished characteristics and opinions on society," said Willy Tsao, artistic director of Beijing Dance/LDTX.

There are five individual pieces in the show: "Tomb", "The Surface", "The Two Persons Inside", "Not!? Same!? Idea!?" and "The Name of this Piece Cannot Describe the Content of this Piece".

"Sometimes after watching a movie, painting or dance, you may feel a lot in your heart but cannot describe it with language. I think it feels a lot like contemporary dance," said Alexis Kam, choreographer and dancer of "The Name of this Piece Cannot Describe the Content of this Piece."

A photo of dancers performing on stage. /Beijing Dance/LDTX

This performance is part of LDTX's "solar terms" series, where every year LDTX provides a platform for dancers to showcase their choreography.

"This is my first time working as a choreographer here. I treasure this opportunity and will do my best to make full use of this platform to express myself," says choreographer and dancer Sun Mengyao.

LDTX is China's first officially registered private professional contemporary dance company. The name is an acronym for Lei Dong Tian Xia, which means “thunder rumbles the universe”.

A photo of dancers performing on stage. /Beijing Dance/LDTX

"Contemporary dance is about individuality and originality. Without the limit of language, we express the Zeitgeist through our body movements. It is also a way for international audiences to learn more about Chinese young people," said Willy Tsao.

The company has created an extensive repertoire of works and has performed at major events and festivals in more than 20 countries.