Ministry of Culture-Performance Venues & Architectural Heritage

Cloud Gate 2 (雲門2), a Cloud Gate Dance Theatre incubation program for young dancers and choreographers, will stage the US debut of "Beckoning (來)” on Oct. 7 and 8 at the New York City Center.

The playful and poetic piece was choreographed by Cheng Tsung-lung (鄭宗龍), who cites the traditional Taiwanese street-dancing procession of Eight Infernal Generals (八家將) as his top inspiration. The swaying, zigzagging parade formation of the exorcising deities is deftly worked into the dance of "Beckoning.”

Cheng, one of Taiwan's most-promising young choreographers, is also the current director of Cloud Gate 2. Unlike most junior companies, Cloud Gate 2 does not prepare dancers to join or perform Cloud Gate productions. Instead, it showcases talented young dancers in original works.

Some of the current members of Cloud Gate 2 include Paiwan dancer-choreographer Bulareyaung Pagarlava (布拉瑞揚) and Huang Yi (黃翊) of the dancing robot "KUKA” fame.

'Beckoning' will be performed at the New York City Center on Oct. 7 and 8 as part of the 2016 Fall for Dance program. Members of Cloud Gate 2 will also offer free pre-show dance lessons to ticketholders on Oct. 7.

‘Beckoning' (US Premiere)

• Date: Oct. 7 - 8, 2016
• Venue: New York City Center
• Address: 131 West 55th St. (Between 6th and 7th Avenue)
• Ticket: NYCityCenter.org