Watch Long Sleeve: Ancient Dance of Grace and Emotion for free

This program provides an overview of the historical development of Long Sleeve Dance, a dance form dating back to the 7th century B.C.E., a time known as the Spring-and-Autumn period in Chinese history. It introduces a handful of codified language of Long Sleeve Dance, where the sweeping, flowing sleeves serve as an extension of the dancer's emotions and intentions. Through centuries of refinement, this dance form developed a sophisticated vocabulary of gestures that can convey everything from joy to profound sorrow. Highlighted are the long sleeve dance performances titled "The Colors of Water" choreographed by WANG Yukun and MIAO Xiaolong, and "Zhao Jun Departs the Frontier" choreographed by JIANG Huaxuan. In "Zhao Jun Departs the Frontier," LIU Min, a nationally acclaimed dance master, employs the exquisite language of Long Sleeve to convey the conflicted emotions of ZHAO Jun (one of "The Four Beauties" known in Chinese History) as she leaves her homeland and lavish lifestyle for the grasslands of the remote north as part of a peace treaty. The dance tells an ancient story of loyalty, heroism, and self-sacrifice for the common good, demonstrating how this classical form can still speak powerfully to contemporary audiences.