Dancer Illustrates Customs of China

Speaking softly into a microphone and wearing a long, flowing, pale blue dress, Alice Lo began a slow, stately demonstration of a traditional Chinese dance Wednesday for students at St. Mel Catholic School.

But soon the show took off in another direction as Lo found her voice with each new character, and each new costume change brought more enthusiasm from the children.

Much to their surprise and delight, the dancer changed costumes on stage, explaining how each was made and what each prop symbolized in the dance.

As she demonstrated how Chinese dancers use fans, yards of silk ribbon and even chopsticks in their performances, the children seemed fascinated with her ability to contort her arms without disturbing the plates she held.

She showed them how to raise their arms above their heads, lower them behind their backs and bring them around to the front without dropping their own--imaginary--china plates.

Each costume change, each dance and each new prop helps give the students an idea of how people in China live, work and play, she said.

“For children, when they can see it visually, they somehow have a stronger impression of our culture than just words can do,” Lo said.

A native of Hong Kong, Lo has spent 10 years performing, primarily for children, with Performing Tree, an art education group.

Lo’s visit was part of the private school’s cultural arts program, in which students in kindergarten through sixth grade are taught lessons through music, storytelling and dance.

This year, at the request of many faculty members at the Woodland Hills school, the cultural arts group focused on multiculturalism, showing the children how people around the world live. Each month, the children are immersed in a different culture.

“We wanted the children to be aware of other cultures and to appreciate other people who may see things differently than they do,” said Cathy Sweeney, who, along with fellow parent Susan Butterfield, organized the events.