A group of young Taiwanese living in America founded the performance group “Islanders,” which focuses on integrating Taiwanese culture with music, dance, and multimedia to captivate friends who love Taiwanese culture! From July 12th to 13th, Islanders were invited by the New York modern dance troupe Gibney to collaborate with Taiwanese dancer Hsiao Chieh-heng to produce a special program. Led by Hsiung Chieh and Hsiao Yu-wei, they showcased the heyday of Taiwan’s disco era in Manhattan.
With the theme “Lend Me Your Hand,” Islanders presented a selection of classic hits from the 60s to the 90s such as “Dream Wake Up,” “Taiwan Mambo,” and “Applause Rings.” Co-creator Hsiung Chieh is skilled at blending modern dance, ballet, Chinese dance, folk dance, ballroom dance, and street dance, while partner Hsiao Yu-wei’s violin performances incorporate Taiwanese folk music and pop tunes.
For their performance in Manhattan, Islanders welcomed new member Taiwanese drummer Chen Hsuan-wen, along with core members Chi Yi-hsuan, Chang Yu-ning, Tseng Kuei-fang, and Kuo Ping-hsien, to present an artistic feast that blends Taiwanese music with modern dance. The audience can look forward to experiencing the diversity and fusion of Taiwanese culture and feel the creativity and passion of Taiwanese artists overseas.
The performances by Islanders at the Gibney Theater on July 12th and 13th were made possible through an invitation from choreographer and dancer Hsiao Chieh-heng’s initiative, “Wán Play.” During her tenure at Gibney, Hsiao Chieh-heng founded “Wán Play” to enhance the identity recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) female artists, creating a diverse and equitable creative space.
Both performances start at 7:30 PM with doors opening at 7:00 PM. Islanders will have a warm-up performance, and attendees can enjoy Taiwanese snacks and karaoke on-site. Participants are encouraged to dress in outfits reminiscent of Taiwanese golden hits to showcase themselves! The performance space is at Gibney Dance Theater Studio, located at 53A Chamber St, Manhattan, New York. Those interested in attending the show, please remember to scan the QR code to register in advance.