The Emma S. Clark Memorial Library in Setauket will host a Lunar New Year celebration featuring “Silk Road Reverie: A Journey in Dance and Rhythm” on Saturday, Feb. 7, inviting Suffolk County residents to explore the history and cultural exchange of the ancient Silk Road through dance and live percussion.
The program begins at 2 p.m. in the Vincent R. O’Leary Community Room. It explores the history of one of the world’s major trade routes, connecting some 40 countries and highlighting an exchange of dances and percussion instruments.
Cultural costumes and live percussion accompany the performance by dancer Wendi Weng, and the audience is invited to dance at the conclusion of the program. The hourlong event is geared toward adults, teens and tweens.
“What is unique about these dances is that they reflect my personal journey, featuring dances that have spread along the Silk Road, represented by China, Persia, Turkey and Egypt," Weng said. "Musician Chris (Howard) performs and introduces the Silk Road percussion instrument, the Daf, and explains its fusion and evolution as it spread across different countries and regions.”
As a cultural educator, Weng developed “Silk Road Reverie” in conjunction with Howard to bring history to life. According to Weng, a native of Fuzhou in southern China, “Music and dance are among the best ways to celebrate the new year, providing the community with a platform to learn about world cultures.”
In 2006, she founded a world dance school in China to teach and perform. After moving to New York in 2015, she began performing in community venues with various artists. In addition to “Silk Road Reverie,” which engages the audience, she also teaches dance workshops.
“I was born into a family with traditional Chinese opera artistry; my grandfather was a local opera performer, and I was immersed in that environment from a young age. What I find most meaningful about dance is the process of self-awareness and self-exploration. Through it, I connect with the world and build friendships,” Weng said.
Suffolk County residents can register through the library’s website.