Cloud Gate Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Revival of classic Legacy, new creation WAVES, open-air performances, world tour and special exhibition lined up for the significant year for Cloud Gate Dance Theatre. 

Legacy by LIN Hwai-min, photo by LIU Chen-hsiang

Founded in 1973, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year. The company will be performing two seasons at home in Taiwan: A revival of Founder LIN Hwai-min's 1978 classic Legacy kicks off in April at the National Theatre Taipei and embarks on a nationwide tour until June. The revival brought back live accompaniment by Ju Percussion Group. This will be the first time the two companies share the stage for Legacy since 2003. All tickets for the six-city tour are sold out. National Theater and Cloud Gate jointly announces an April 29^th live broadcast of the performance at Liberty Plaza for all to join.

｜Related reading: Cloud Gate joined by Ju Percussion Group to mark 50^th anniversary

WAVES by CHENG Tsung-lung, photo by LEE Chia-yeh

For the 50^th anniversary, Artistic Director CHENG Tsung-lung develops new creation WAVES, scheduled for world premiere in October through November in Taipei, Taichung and Kaoshiung. CHENG invites Japanese digital artist Daito MANABE in collaboration, together exploring boundaries of human body and artificial intelligence.

Immediately following the premiere of WAVES, the company will be back in Europe with 13 Tongues and Lunar Halo. Cities to include London, Madrid, Barcelona, Cannes, Canary Islands and Ludwigshafen. More details to come in May.

｜ Related reading: Taiwan's Cloud Gate dance troupe to launch new show  'WAVES' in October

photo by LEE Chia-yeh

Cloud Gate's highly anticipated annual open-air performances is back to two cities this July in Taipei and Taichung. The event, dubbed by international media as "the largest dance show on earth" has drawn more than 50,000 audiences each year since its first edition in 1996. Many Taiwanese grew up watching Cloud Gate dance under the stars, forming a family ritual to attend the outdoor performances each year with family and friends. Dates and repertoire for this year's open-air shows are to be announced shortly.

｜Related reading: In Taiwan a Troupe Passes the Torch