The Pingtung Summer Dance Festival kicks off – kids join in for a wild group dance to beat the summer heat

▲ This year’s Pingtung Summer Dance Festival will host a Kids’ Group Dance PK Competition. (Photo provided by the Pingtung County Cultural Affairs Bureau)

Reported by Chen Ruizhong / Comprehensive report

Now in its eighth edition, the Pingtung Summer Dance Festival this year takes “Dance Freely, Dance Boldly” as its theme. From May to August, it features talent training programs for the performing arts, joint performances by top dance troupes, dance PK competitions, and a series of performances, allowing the public to embark on a dance and cultural journey.

The origin of the Summer Dance Festival dates back to post-Typhoon Morakot relief efforts, when cultural groups entered disaster-stricken areas to provide comfort through the arts. Evolving over time, it now holds significant social and therapeutic value. The 2015 “Dance Freely, Dance Boldly” series includes a variety of programs: on June 10, there’s “Disney Musical – Mickey’s Rockin’ Adventure,” which combines classic Disney music with popular dance styles to showcase the charm of stage performances. On June 20, the “2015 Timor Theatre Troupe” presents interpretations of Paiwan cultural imagery, along with other performances such as the Goose and Duck Children’s Theater’s “The Tiger, the Hunter, and the Wolf,” and the NSO National Symphony Orchestra’s “Little Yellow Dot” and “The Four Seasons.”

One of the festival’s key events, “New Thoughts in the Performing Arts – Talent Training Program,” invites professionals from performing arts and new media to give lectures, helping aspiring performers enhance their practical skills. During the summer break, a “Kids’ Group Dance PK Competition” will also be held, where children can relieve stress, get active, and ignite their passion for dance through free-form dance battles.

Disney Musical – Mickey’s Rockin’ Adventure
Performance times: 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM, June 10
Venue: Pingtung County Stadium
Ticket prices: NT$300–600

2015 Timor Theatre Troupe
Performance date: 7:30 PM, June 20
Venue: Pingtung County Art Museum
Ticket price: NT$100

Kids’ Group Dance PK Competition
Competition date: August 1
Venue: Pingtung County Art Museum