American Institute in Taiwan

Battery Dance Company of New York will perform and hold dance workshops in Taiwan from October 26 to 31, 2006.  Their Taiwan tour is being hosted by the American Institute in Taiwan's Public Affairs Section. 

The internationally acclaimed Battery Dance Company is a modern dance troupe heralded for its seamless mix of both classical and contemporary styles.  The Company's founder, American choreographer and former Fulbright scholar Jonathan Hollander, has lived in Asia and brings an Asian flavor and inspiration to his Western artistic sensibilities.

Battery Dance Company's welcoming attitude has also provided an open door for some of Taiwan's best dancers.  Several dancers of the renowned Cloud Gate Dance Theatre have graced the Company's roster in New York.

Battery Dance Company's Taiwan debut will be part of this year's Taipei Arts Festival.  The Company will hold a gala public performance, Changing Winds from New York, at the Metropolitan Hall on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.  Admission to the performance is free.  For tickets, please contact:

The Metropolitan Hall 25, Ba-de Road, Sec. 3, Taipei Tel: 2577-5931 ext. 266 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

While they are in Taiwan, members of the Battery Dance Company will conduct master classes for students and dancers in Taipei, Ilan, and Taichung.  For more information about these programs, please contact Teresa Huang at 2723-3959, ext. 214, or e-mail:  taipei@mail.ait.org.tw.

The American Institute in Taiwan's Public Affairs Section wishes to acknowledge the co-sponsorship and generous support of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Taipei City Government, the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Citigroup, the Grand Hyatt Taipei,  and Deloitte & Touche, Taiwan, in making Battery Dance Company's visit possible.    

Battery Dance Company was founded in 1976 by Jonathan Hollander and his wife Noelle Braynard.  The group performs on the world's stages, teaches, presents, and advocates for the field of dance.  Battery Dance Company has represented the United States overseas and has developed cultural exchange programs in the realm of dance and the performing arts.  Battery Dance has built partnerships with dance artists, musicians, arts managers, arts institutions, government agencies, schools and other dance companies in 16 countries to foster cultural outreach and mutual understanding.  The company is now drawing to a close its Asian performance and teaching tour of six stops, including Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and Taiwan.

Note to Reporters:  Please call AIT Public Affairs Section 2162-2037 or send an e-mail to media@mail.ait.org.tw for high-resolution photos of Battery Dance Company or interviews with the group.