On September 28th, the second day of the Arts & Culture Festival in Middletown, New York, was welcomed with a variety of exciting activities starting from 12 noon. The festival showcased a range of cultural performances and brought together people from different ethnic backgrounds to celebrate the beauty of diverse traditional cultures.
The event was organized by the Asian American Alliance Community Orange County, in collaboration with the Middletown city government and the Northern Sky Academy. Janet Xiong, the chairperson of the Asian American Alliance Community Orange County, mentioned that the planning team worked diligently for four months to make the event a success, with support from the local government, community organizations, and sponsors. She described it as a festival that connects cultures, inspires creativity, and unites people.
The atmosphere at the festival was lively, with attendees dressed in traditional attire from various cultures, enjoying a wide array of cuisines, visiting workshops, and appreciating a diverse range of artistic and musical performances. Over ten performing groups took the stage one after another, presenting carefully prepared programs that showcased the diversity and brilliance of different cultural traditions.
Students from the Northern Sky Academy’s Dance Department performed dances such as “The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl” and “Capturing the Beauty of Nature,” elegantly interpreting Eastern traditional stories and the beauty of nature through graceful dance movements.
Students from the Northern Arts School performed excerpts from the classical ballet “Sleeping Beauty” and a modern style piece “Heart of a Warrior,” demonstrating a fusion of strength and beauty.
The Warwick Center for the Performing Arts presented several ballet pieces, including the classic comedic ballet “Coppélia.” The story revolves around a young man who mistakenly falls in love with a mechanical doll named “Coppélia,” leading to humorous misunderstandings, making it one of the three French ballet classics.
Another ballet piece, “The Awakening of Flora,” centered around mythology, depicts the awakening of the goddess of spring, symbolizing the rejuvenation of nature and showcasing vitality.
The performance by the Folklórica dance group of “The Dance of the Little Old Men” showcased traditional customs from Michoacán, Mexico. Dancers wore exaggerated old-age masks, dressed in ethnic attire, mimicking the shuffling dance of the elderly before suddenly bursting into lively steps, symbolizing the wisdom and vitality of the elders.
The Songfa Ensemble presented musical pieces “Ode to Udumbara Flowers” and “Ode to Hibiscus,” with “Udumbara Flowers” originating from ancient Sanskrit, meaning “auspicious flowers from heaven,” symbolizing rarity and good fortune.
The powerful and rhythmic performance by the Northern Drum Corps captured the audience’s enthusiasm, earning hearty applause.
Congressman Pat Ryan of the 18th District of New York specially presented a congressional commendation to the organizers, recognizing the efforts of the Arts & Culture Festival and its participating teams. He expressed that this vibrant celebration showcased deep traditions, exquisite arts, and rich cultural heritage, further bonding the community together.
Mayor Joseph M. DeStefano of Middletown praised the event, describing it as a day filled with beautiful scenery, delicious food, and outstanding artistic performances at the campus of the Northern Sky Academy.