ROOT — 舞·乐 Brings Dance, Music, and Community Together for AAPI Heritage Month

On May 10, 2026, Quadrant International Art Association (QIAA) presented ROOT — 舞·乐, an AAPI Heritage Month Live Arts Edition at Gibney 280 Theater in New York City. Produced by QIAA in collaboration with Echoes of China Ensemble and featuring performances by the New York City Chinese Dance Company (NYCCDC), the evening brought together nearly 100 audience members and more than 20 artists for a program centered around culture, memory, and artistic connection.

The title *ROOT* was chosen to reflect ideas of heritage, resilience, belonging, and growth. For many artists and audience members alike, the evening became more than a performance — it was a shared space to reconnect with cultural traditions while experiencing them in a contemporary setting.

The program featured over 15 works spanning Chinese classical dance, ethnic folk dance, live traditional music, and collaborative dance-and-music performances. Throughout the evening, audiences experienced a wide range of styles and emotions, from the lyrical and reflective atmosphere of Butterfly Lovers and Cai Wei to the festive energy of Blooming Flowers and Horse Racing. Several works were performed with live musical accompaniment, creating a close dialogue between dancers and musicians on stage.

A particularly meaningful part of the evening was the diversity of artists involved. While some performers came from professional training backgrounds, others began their dance journeys with little or no previous experience before joining NYCCDC. Over time, they developed not only as performers, but also as members of a growing artistic community brought together through a shared passion for Chinese dance, music, and cultural exchange.

As an organization, QIAA continues to explore ways to make cultural and performing arts more accessible and community-centered. ROOT reflected that mission by creating an environment where audiences could experience traditional art forms in a welcoming and approachable way — not as distant history, but as living practices that continue to evolve through new generations of artists.

We are deeply grateful to every artist, volunteer, collaborator, and audience member who shared this evening with us. Your energy, encouragement, and support continue to help independent artists and cultural organizations grow within New York City’s performing arts community.

We look forward to continuing this work and creating more opportunities for cultural exchange, collaboration, and live performance in the future.

View the event recap here