NFCC Artist Series presents THE PEKING ACROBATS Feb. 23

China’s most gifted tumblers, contortionists, jugglers, cyclists, gymnasts and musicians perform at NFCC

MADISON, FL – In THE PEKING ACROBATS, a troupe of China's most gifted tumblers, contortionists, jugglers, cyclists and gymnasts, complemented by live musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments, will bring their 2,000-year-old tradition of acrobatics to North Florida Community College’s Van H. Priest Auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. This spectacular show is the season finale of the 2016-2017 NFCC Artist Series season.

THE PEKING ACROBATS will amaze with daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs; trick cycling; a kaleidoscope of magnificent movement; powerful precision tumbling, somersaulting and gymnastics; amazing displays of contortion, flexibility and control; incredible balancing feats showcasing tremendous skill and ability; live musicians skillfully playing exotic traditional Chinese instruments; and high-tech special effects. The show’s excitement and festive pageantry create an atmosphere like that of a Chinese Carnival. As the Seattle Times has reported: "Nearly everything the Peking Acrobats did last night was amazing - and stunning, and breathtaking and WOW!" and the Los Angeles Times stated: "The Peking Acrobats regularly passed from the seemingly impossible to the virtually unbelievable!" Dance Insider has said: “It’s like watching ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ LIVE! When a show can fill you with the wonder of a 10 year-old, you know you have had a good time...that’s success!”

Because of the unusual and difficult nature of the feats involved, high honor is conferred upon those skilled enough to become acrobats; an acrobat can be considered the Chinese equivalent of an American opera star. Only the best acrobats find themselves members of an elite world-touring troupe such as THE PEKING ACROBATS. For centuries, dating back to the Ch'in Dynasty (221 B.C. - 207 B.C.), Chinese acrobats have continued to perfect an evolving folk art form. Each new movement or action takes many years to practice and perfect, and tradition demands that each generation of acrobats add their own improvements and embellishments to their acts.

THE PEKING ACROBATS have built a tremendous reputation over the last 30 years, performing not only on the world stage, but also on many popular television shows, including NICKELODEON’S UNFABULOUS, and ELLEN’S REALLY BIG SHOW, hosted by daytime talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres. They have performed with world-famous Symphony Orchestras including the San Francisco Symphony, the Atlanta Symphony, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the San Diego Symphony, and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. They have been featured in star-studded feature films, including Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s 11. Their incredible popularity and longevity as a performing entity is a testament to the awesome power of their performances.

THE PEKING ACROBATS have performed the world over for thirty years to standing ovations and packed houses, including such far-reaching corners of the globe as Australia, Europe, throughout the Americas, Israel, Africa, and numerous Asian countries. Now, over 2,000 years of tradition, perfection, spectacle, and awesome entertainment comes to the NFCC campus in Madison – are you ready?

Tickets for the Feb. 23 performance of THE PEKING ACROBATS are on sale now in the NFCC College Advancement office or by calling 850-973-1653. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended; limited tickets may be available at the door. For more information, visit www.nfc.edu or call 850-973-1653.

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