The China Art Festival 2005, jointly sponsored by China's Ministry of Culture and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in the United States, debuts at the Kennedy Center on October 1, kicking off a month-long multi-course banquet of Chinese cultural delicacies.

Some 900 of China's best and brightest musicians, dancers, puppeteers, actors, directors, choreographers and acrobats will showcase the energy and creativity of contemporary Chinese culture in Washington, D.C.
 
Red Poppy, China's top female percussion band, will hold its first-ever performance at the Kennedy Center on October 6.

The band with 10 percussionists and one violinist will bring American audiences their 10 hit melodies, including The Ocean and Chinese Dragon, which are modern percussion pieces laced with distinctive traditional Chinese characteristics.

The band was formed in 2000 as the first professional ladies percussion band in China. It is also a 2005 "Golden Butterfly Awards", or the Chinese Grammy's, winner.
 
In addition, Teahouse, a classic play written by Chinese literary master Lao She, will be performed from October 27 to 29.

Teahouse, which has enticed generations of Chinese, explores the vicissitudes of modern Chinese society in one special place -- a small teahouse.

An excellent script, elite direction and talented performances have made Teahouse a "classic among classics" in China.

Since its debut in 1958, Teahouse has been included in the repertoire of the Beijing People's Art Theater, and has been performed more than 500 times.

An official with the theater said that besides Washington D.C., Teahouse will also be staged in Houston, Los Angeles, and New York.

The festival is expected to be the largest Chinese cultural event ever held in North America with the longest-schedule and the most acts. Both sides expect the festival to boost bilateral cultural exchanges and understanding.

(Xinhua News Agency, China.org.cn, September 30, 2005)