Thread: Dancing for Chinese-American audience - anything to know?

I have an upcoming gig for a big Chinese birthday party, at a Chinese restaurant.

Has anyone worked with Chinese-American customers and know what they like? Music, colors, styles? Should I treat them like any other non-middle eastern audience, like Americans?

I know red is considered to be a lucky color and I may try to squeeze into a red costume, but my blue costume is better. Does anyone know if blue is an OK color in Chinese thinking? How about purple or pink?

I did a show once at a Chinese restaurant; it was a cultural night and most acts were Chinese dancers, so we stood out! We danced on a stage, by the way. When we performed I saw a lot of blank stares, so I was worried they didn't like it. But afterwards everyone said it was beautiful; old men tried to imitate the shoulder shimmies which was cute. They all were warm and welcoming--it was wonderful! I'm not sure if ALL Chinese-American audiences would be as distant during the performance, but I figured i'd mention it. Maybe they were just being a polite, quiet audience or maybe it was an off night.

As for blue, purple and pink I think all three should be fine. Here's a Wikipedia link about color in Chinese culture:
[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_in_Chinese_culture]Color in Chinese culture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

I found the same thing when our troupe danced at an Asian Expo event here. The audience was quiet. However, a number of people complimented us afterward.

I noticed when I was in Tokyo, too--at a show (not a bellydance show), where I wanted to cheer and holler, because I was so impressed, the rest of the audience was just clapping politely, so that's what I did.

So, perhaps if a generalization can be made, you might expect the audience response to be more muted than you're used to.

The only suggestion I have is that if you know how to use silk veil fans that it might go over well.. its always struck me as very similiar to certain styles of Chinese dance..giant fans as well.

I'm sure you will be appreciated for the good show you put on ;)

Hi! I'm Chinese-Canadian, but I am very westernized or called "white" in values. I am caught in between cultures as my in-laws are very traditional.

Anyway, I am always encouraged to wear red for any Chinese birthday banquet. Pink may be okay, but it has to be close to red like fuschia/hot pink. Blue and purple is fine for regular occasions, not birthdays. Black or white is for funerals so definitely avoid for birthdays.

Yes, red symbolizes luck for any special occasion.

How old is the birthday person? I can help you gauge what is appropriate then.

I've been told that she's turning 49.

Originally Posted by Nepenthe

I've been told that she's turning 49.

Hi Nepenthe,

That means she is turning 50 in the Chinese lunar calendar. I'm just wondering how westernized she is?

You can't go wrong with wearing red or even burgundy. I would recommend a one-piece dress as you don't want to look too sexy for her husband.

The birthday lady will want to look the prettiest and be the queen for the night. It's okay for her to look overdone.

Instrumental music would be more recommended. If you could find happier sounding music then that would be best.

Do you know the relation of the person to the birthday lady who hired you? A family member or friend?

Am I helping at all?

Recommend red (or reddish burgundy) in costume with touches of gold, if possible. If wearing a two piece, consider a vest or shrug to add elegance and beauty while seeming less bare. The Chinese seem to value classic and classy presentations.

If using props, remember that sword dancing and veil (and variations) dances are highly evolved in China so use only if you are excellent. If you are excellent, they will be very appreciative.

Just a musical thought ... The girl group "Twelve Girls Band" does a fabulous rendition of Shenaz Longa on traditional Chinese instruments. You might check them out. :)

Okay, turns out that it's a guy's birthday. Miscommunication! It's been a bit hard to communicate.

I asked about costume color, suggesting red - they asked for gold, I told them I could do red with gold accents (my red costume has all its beading in gold), they seemed happy. Thanks for the help folks.

And I think for props, I need to go with just veil and zills as they want me to come in dancing as a surprise, and that will be hard to do if I come in and put down my props and such.

just wanted to add: if you want to do sword / fans, etc, you can ask someone to take them inside and put it in near the area you'd be dancing.

I have done lots of surprise birthday parties where I asked the lady who hired me to take my sword inside. The audience had no clue what it was for. They may have had an idea that w=some thing was "up" :) but I doubt that they associated the sword with a belly dancer.

It could work out the same way in your case.

In summary:
Just finished the gig. A great, and friendly crowd.
I wore red and gold, and I had for a coverup, an actual Chinese robe. They liked that!
Swords are a no-no, at least with these people, on this birthday. Luckily the person greeting me knew this, saw my sword, and put it aside for me before anyone saw it. It was like she didn't even want me to bring it in. I was very quickly apologetic - "No, I won't use it - no problem!". I wonder if it's bad luck - something to do with cutting? maybe cutting off luck on a birthday? Who knows - at any rate, I didn't need my sword!

They are an enthusiastic crowd and very appreciative, though!

Not sure about the Chinese, but back in the day in Japan a Samurai would not enter a house of a friend with his sword, only his small dagger.