Artists perform lion dance at a Chinese Arts Week at Lincoln Center in New York, the United States, on July 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)
NEW YORK, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Densely drumbeat-paced movements of lion dancers and hip-hop rhythms converged at a Chinese Arts Week at New York's Lincoln Center, showcasing the cultural vitality and diversity of contemporary China.
The street dance show stood out in the festival celebration Thursday evening with its kung fu elements. It followed a lion dance and a vibrant Yingge folk dance, forming a sequence that traces traditional Chinese culture.
Running from July 22 to 26, contemporary music performances and film screenings were also part of the Chinese Arts Week, which offered New Yorkers a glimpse of both China's cultural heritage and its evolving creative scene.
Meanwhile, the charming performances multiplied the vibe and fun during Lincoln Center's 2026 Summer for the City festival that runs through early August.
"The Yingge performance was striking, and the Chinese street dance was equally exciting," said Andrew Cap, a member of the audience.
Called by some the "Chinese warrior dance," southern China's Yingge folk dance is known for merging martial arts, dramatic facial makeups, and energetic stick-clashing choreography.
The blend of traditional and contemporary elements is so impressive, Cap said.
A content creator known for sharing stories about Chinese culture, Cap said his first visit to China at the age of 19 was a life-changing experience.
People-to-people exchanges between the United States and China, particularly among younger generations, are both meaningful and necessary, he stated.
For Deepa Liegel of the Jose Limon Dance Foundation, her travels in China have helped her discover cultural connections that transcend geographical boundaries.
"The two cultures are oceans apart but still share common ground," she said.
"Chinese dancers once learned a dance form that originated in the United States. Today, we are bringing a Chinese interpretation of it to Lincoln Center," Xia Rui, head of the Chinese street dance troupe, told Xinhua.
"Our kung fu street dance fuses breakdancing with elements of Chinese martial arts and operas, creating a contemporary expression of Chinese culture and youth," Xia said, adding, "Our language of movement is global, while the soul is Chinese."
Chinese Arts Week was co-organized by the China International Culture Association.
Ma Xiaoxiao, deputy consul general of China in New York, said the wide range of performances and styles marks a blend of the rich heritage of Chinese civilization with the vitality and innovation of contemporary China.
"Together, these performances offer different windows into China -- its traditions, its modern energy and the creativity of its people," he said. "Through music, dance and shared experiences, we hope American friends will discover a China that is authentic, diverse and full of life."
On the Lincoln Center stage, Ma's remarks were also echoed by performances from Hanggai, an ensemble of eight folk-rockers from China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, as well as Taiga, a Chinese electronic music duo known for integrating ethnic nomadic heritage into its music. ■
An artist performs Yingge folk dance at a Chinese Arts Week at Lincoln Center in New York, the United States, on July 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)
Artists perform a contemporary dance at a Chinese Arts Week at Lincoln Center in New York, the United States, on July 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)
Artists perform a contemporary dance at a Chinese Arts Week at Lincoln Center in New York, the United States, on July 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)