Vietnamese-Canadian John Huy Trần’s contemporary dance, GAIA – Chúng ta là một (GAIA – We are One), will be staged in HCM City next week. — Photo by Louis Wu  

HCM CITY — The contemporary dance, GAIA – Chúng Ta Là Một (Gaia – We are One), choreographed by Vietnamese-Canadian John Huy Trần, will be staged in HCM City next week.

GAIA – Chúng Ta Là Một features ballet and contemporary dances, including breakdance and popping.

The four acts of the 90-minute work include Vẻ Đẹp Tạo Hóa (Basic Beauty), Muông Thú Hoang Dã (Wild Animals), Trí Thông Minh Và Con Người (Human Intelligence) and Tất Cả Là Một (All in One).

Choreographer Huy said he had spent more than three years preparing the production.  

“I spent my own money on GAIA – Chúng Ta Là Một. I worked as a producer which helped me to improve also,” said Huy in an interview with the media. 

“We began rehearsing in August and have worked several hours a day,” said Huy, who plays a leading role in the dance.

Vietnamese-Canadian choreographer John Huy Trần. — Photo courtesy of the producer

GAIA – Chúng Ta Là Một features 15 Vietnamese and foreign dancers, mostly from the city-based Urban Dance Group owned by Huy.

Featured artists include Đào Phi Hải, Nguyễn Mạnh Quyền and Vũ Thị Hoàng Oanh, Sabra Johnson, Carlie Anderson and Alexa Sinclair.

“In GAIA – Chúng ta là một, we dance with beautiful music by the Canadian rock alternative band Amavi.  We wanted our dance and music to touch the heart of audiences,” dancer Tâm Nguyễn RedCat, a member of the Urban Dance Group, said.

The dance is a contemporary work, but audiences will be surprised by the “spirit” of the ballet, according to Huy.   

Huy invited the Amavi band to compose and play music for his latest dance, Gaia, after he took a holiday in Canada.

Amavi features lead female singer Biance Ambrosino, drummer Marty Bourdeau, guitarists Stefano Proietti and Massimo Del Tigli.

“I found their music to be suitable for my dance,” Huy said. 

Amavi will stage the show GAIA – Chúng ta là một in HCM City. 

“Through my work, we want to offer audiences a quality show of dances that require difficult techniques,” said the 34-year-old.  

GAIA – Chúng ta là một will be staged for six shows from November 28 to December 1 at Gbox Studio on 4 Bàu Cát 4 Street in Tân Bình District. Tickets are available at ticketbox.vn.— VNS