As a man, Jin Xing was a colonel in the PLA, now as a woman she is a mother, a world-class ballerina, an actress, and China’s most famous dancer. I sat down with this cultural icon for a chat in the lobby of the Royal Hotel to discuss her latest performance coming to Beijing’s Poly Theater on May 14 and 15.

Shanghai Tango is a program of ten pieces representing various stages of her life and choreography between 1991 and 2000. In the title piece, the “tango” is figurative. Jin explains, “It’s a dance between a man and a woman. Beijing is like a Chinese man, the decision maker, rough and political. Shanghai is like a Chinese woman, delicate, seductive, calculating, and sexy.” Other pieces featured are “Steps,” “Dance02,” “Red Wine,” “Four Happiness,” “Half Dream,” “Island,” “Black and Red,” “Senses of Colors,” and her solo, “No Way Out," all choreographed by Jin.

Modern dance is one of the newest forms of performing arts to become accepted in China. Jin articulates the status of Chinese modern dance. She states, “The dance education has changed, but the choreography and performance have not changed from the traditional style which, lacking creativity, can be hard for the choreographer.” She thinks that many Chinese audiences hesitate to see modern dance because most of the theater audiences have been lost to a “commercial” way of thinking. Jin finds this cultural phenomenon frustrating and she believes it is hard to match a “true audience” with an artist. The reason, she claims, for the mismatch comes from theater-goers who have been given free tickets from their employers, filling theaters with people who lack a passion for the arts, and don’t know how to appreciate it. Jin insists, “At my shows there should be no free tickets. I would rather have a nearly empty theater than an audience who doesn’t appreciate what I do. A true audience gives respect and the artist must teach this respect.” As a poor journalist and passionate theater reviewer, I hope I can still get a free ticket!

“In China,” says Jin, “there is a gap between the growth of art and culture and the growth of the economy.” Jin Xing wishes to close the gap through raising awareness and appreciation of art, theater, music, and dance. She likens watching dance to listening to a symphony, one must “use imagination to follow the music.”

The story behind the legendary dancer is as fascinating as her performances. Jin Xing started her career at the age of 9 when she was invited to join the prestigious PLA dancing troupe. She eventually reached the rank of colonel. After leaving the military, she won a series of dance competitions in China. As she began to travel, she caught the attention of an international audience as well. She went to New York and spent four years studying modern dance under dance celebrities like Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham. In 1991, she received the American Dance Festival award for best choreographer. She later traveled and performed for three years in Europe. At age 26, Jin returned to China where she underwent her controversial surgery and as a result her left leg was temporarily paralyzed. She headed the Beijing Modern Dance Company as artistic director between 1995 and 1998.

After her recovery, Jin moved to Shanghai to start her own dance company which is the first independently owned and non-government funded dance company in China. Because the environment for modern dance in China is hard, she has also survived by acting in movies, TV, stage and writing. The documentary, "Colonel Jin Xing: A Unique Destiny" and her memoir, "Shanghai Tango," both describe her life as she struggles to become the dancer and woman she is today.

She now lives in Shanghai with her husband and three adopted children.

Event details:

May 14-15 7:30

Poly Theatre

RMB80-680

6417-7845

www.piao.com.cn