10th Anniversary of Normalization

Battery Dance Company to perform and hold workshops in Ho Chi Minh City (May 19-22) and Hanoi (May 23-24)

(This is part of a series of cultural exchange to celebrate 10 years of U.S.-Vietnam relations)

May 18, 2005

Battery Dance Company from New York City, USA, will perform and hold dance workshops in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi from May 19 to May 24. Their tour in Vietnam is arranged and supported by the U.S. Embassy-Hanoi and Vietnam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB). It is part of a series of cultural exchange in 2005 to celebrate ten years of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Vietnam.

In HCMC, from May 19 to May 22, the American dance group will hold a presentation on "International Collaborations in the Arts" at the HCMC College of Culture and Arts, teach modern dance classes and perform at the HCMC Ballet and Symphony Orchestra, teach Ballet Master Class and Hip-Hop Class at the HCMC Dance School, teach Modern Dance Master Class at the HCMC Theatrical Company, and perform at the HCMC Opera House.

In Hanoi, on May 23 and 24, they will hold workshops on ballet, contemporary dance and hip-hop/urban dance with VNOB dancers and dancers from Together Higher group. A gala performance will be held at the Hanoi Opera House on May 24.

Tickets to performances in both HCMC and Hanoi will be distributed by invitation.

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 U.S. 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.

NOTE TO REPORTERS: If you want to interview the group, please register with Mr. Ngo Quoc Bao, U.S. Embassy Cultural Assistant at 04-831-4580 and come to the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet, #11, Alley 59, Nui Truc Street, Hanoi at 12:00 noon, May 23. Photos of the group are available at the U.S. Embassy website http://vietnam.usembassy.gov.