Contemporary dance fans set to see a world of works

Amidst the Wind is a celebration of "the most exhilarating dance excerpts from its productions of the past two decades".

Hong Kong spotlight

One of the highlights at this year's event will be a series of performances marking the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China.

Five choreographers from Hong Kong, including Helen Lai, Noel Pong and, Sang Jijia, have collaborated for Amidst the Wind, which will be performed by the Hong Kong City Contemporary Dance Company on July 26.

According to Tsao, who founded the dance company in 1979, Amidst the Wind is a celebration of "the most exhilarating dance excerpts from its productions of the past two decades".

From scenes in a living room filled with sorrow to a cinema full of laughter, the work draws inspiration from the classic Chinese novel, Dream of the Red Chamber, by Qing Dynasty writer Cao Xueqin and The Metamorphosis, a novel by Franz Kafka.

Meanwhile, a show titled Hong Kong Classics Restaged will see Hong Kong choreographers showcase their works, which are based on Chinese works including Mui Cheuk-yin's Awakening in a Dream and Yuri Ng's Boy Story.

Hong Kong New Wave, a show being staged on July 27, will feature works by dancer-choreographers from Hong Kong, including Lies in Waiting by Kelvin Mak and Folding Echoes by Joseph Lee.

"These dancer-choreographers from Hong Kong combine influences from both China and the West. And during the past 20 years, they have witnessed changes in the city and their voices are heard through their works," says Tsao.

Other performances will include Circle 2: The Flow, choreographed by Zi Wei and performed by Beijing Dance/LDTX; Cosmic Body choreographed by Ingri Fiskdal and performed by the Ingri Fiskdal Dance Company from Oslo, Norway and Sale choreographed by Eyal Dadon from Israel.