By Dara Clariza Evangelista
On July 10, 2025, the press conference for The Journey of a Legendary Landscape, also known as The Poetic Dance, officially launched the North American tour of the iconic Chinese dance drama. Held at the 777 Tower in Los Angeles, the event celebrated the fusion of classical Chinese art and modern performance, with the show set to tour Vancouver, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Houston from July 17 to August 10.
Presented by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group, the production draws inspiration from the ancient masterpiece A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains by Northern Song Dynasty prodigy Wang Ximeng. This monumental scroll painting, created when the artist was only 18, is revered in China as one of the country’s finest artistic achievements, yet it has never left the Palace Museum in Beijing. Now, through vibrant choreography, immersive stage design, and poetic narrative, this production brings that national treasure to life onstage.
The Los Angeles press conference, hosted by The Beverly Arts and CultraNation Live Media and co-organized by XAVVI, welcomed over 200 guests. Among them were public figures like former NBA star Norm Nixon, singer Grace Field, lawyer Kathy Hao, filmmaker Harrison Engle, and influencer Samira Kazemani. The event also brought together artists, creators, and members of the Asian American community.
Attendees were treated to a live demonstration of the “Green Waist” dance, a signature element of the show, alongside a hands-on dance experience and musical reinterpretations of the production’s theme song by Western musicians. The segment highlighted the spirit of East-West collaboration and received enthusiastic applause.
At its heart, The Journey of a Legendary Landscape is a lyrical tribute to Chinese heritage. Told through seven poetic chapters, the story follows a modern historian who travels back in time to witness Wang Ximeng’s creative process, revealing themes of legacy, craftsmanship, and the quiet power of devotion.
First premiered in 2021 at Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts, the production has already surpassed 700 sold-out shows and gained global attention after its standout moment in the 2022 Spring Festival Gala. Its design, rooted in the Song Dynasty’s refined aesthetics, melds costume, music, calligraphy, and visual storytelling into a seamless, contemporary performance.
More than a cultural export, the production invites audiences into a vision of harmony between nature and art, memory and movement, reminding us that some legacies are best passed on through beauty.
Tour Dates:
- Vancouver – Queen Elizabeth Theatre | July 17–18
- Seattle – McCaw Hall | July 25–26
- Los Angeles – Dolby Theatre | August 1–2
- Houston – Sarofim Hall at the Hobby Center | August 9–10
Tickets and details: https://cultranation.com
This feature was made possible with support from MDSUN, XAVVI, The Beverly Arts Foundation, and other cultural partners.
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