PALAO SHOW
PALAO AT A GLANCE
A BLEND OF
Contemporary dance with Cham cultural touch
Experimental Cham music mixing ethnic instruments, electro, vocals and reinvented instruments from Cham daily ware
DURATION
Approximately 60 minutes
LOCATION
Dong Hiep Park, Nguyen Phuc Chu St., Minh An Ward, Hoi An Ancient Town.
PALAO THE ART OF LETTING GO
When a large ship is about to leave shore, when young adults leave homes on a quest to find their fate, when sending a being off on a new course, Cham people “palao”. Here and now, Palao is a collective of artistic souls pouring themselves into an intense heart-wrenching creation process on-going for months. On the stage of Palao, the children of mixed ethnicities who shared the same ancestors, but once inflicted damages beyond words against one another, now breathe the same air, laugh and cry the same tears together. Conversing in languages of contemporary dance and music, they acknowledge history from both sides, both cultural values, and differences. Here, they let go of conflicts and traumas. Dancing to music in Palao spirit, they free the past and let the future set sails. The sails that carry new hopes for Cham, and the greater humanity.
CHAM CULTURE ON A CONTEMPORARY TAKE
Staying away from literal depiction of the ancient Champa’s reminiscence, the creators of Palao boldly give traditional cultural materials a contemporary spin. Minimal elements from essence of Cham life were manifested into stunning visuals of stark contrast and writhing motion. The colors of earth and fire rest in terracotta pottery. Streams of vast white silk metaphorically stand for purifying water, oceans and universes. Heart-throbbing sounds of Cham ceremonial instruments were elevated and shown in a new light. Palao, all in all, is a proud step to re-present the beauty of Cham culture and arts onto the world’s contemporary stage.
POETRY OF MOVEMENT AND EMOTIONS
As its essence a contemporary dance, Palao is poetry written in vigorous body movements, weighed with profound pain, immense grief, yet soaring high with positive emotions. Untold stories of Champa’s past, philosophy of destruction, rebirth and otherworldly lives are splashed onto pure white canvas with much sensuality. Masterminded by some choreographers whose focus drilling on characters’ edges, Palao is drenched with intense emotions in its every stroke. A wild journey for the senses that bounds to deliver cathartic stage experiences.
EXPERIMENTAL CHAM MUSIC BREAKING GROUNDS
Breaking away from monotonous melancholic rendition of Cham melodies in Vietnam in the recent past, Palao’s audacious musicians give the sounds of history a twist. The mix of traditional Ghineng, Paranung, Saranai, etc. and daily-ware-reinvented instruments, along with electro and powerful vocals, altogether create a compelling, refreshing and yet distinct Cham ambience. At truest sense, Palao’s musical experimentation expresses the playful venturing Cham spirit, like ocean’s call to voyagers. A spirit of breaking free. Of letting go.
Including: Entrance ticket to the show
Excluding: Transfer and other expenses not mentioned
NOTE
- Guests need to arrange own transportation to and from the theatre