Diabolo, which originated in ancient China, has evolved into a captivating performance art form seen around the world today. The Diabolo Dance Theater is a Taiwanese performance troupe founded in 1986. On the evening of September 26, the troupe presented “Light of Life” at the Culture Center of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco (Milpitas). All 500 tickets were sold out, filling the venue to capacity. Organized and sponsored by the Overseas Community Affairs Council of the R.O.C. (Taiwan) and the Double Ten Celebration Committee of the Bay Area, the event brought together people from diverse communities and backgrounds.
Centered on its unique combination of diabolo and dance, the performance blended diabolo, music, dance, drumming, theater, and contemporary visual arts to showcase the creativity and vitality of contemporary Taiwanese performing arts to overseas audiences. “Light of Life” was inspired by Taiwan’s energy. An island nurtured by mountains, the sea, nature, and diverse cultures, Taiwan has a rich history and abundant sources of inspiration. Through language, dance, music, drumming, theater, and light and shadow, the performance transcended language barriers.
VIPs attending the event included Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco Director-General David Wu, Culture Center of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco (Milpitas) Director Wei-Zen Wang, Double Ten Celebration Committee of the Bay Area Chairperson Vivian Wang, Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano, Cupertino Mayor Kitty Moore, and many others.
Vivian Wang, chairperson of the Double Ten Celebration Committee of the Bay Area, said the event provided a valuable opportunity to bring the community together. She noted that the organizers presented a modern version of the traditional art of diabolo, incorporating a variety of performance elements. To make the experience more enjoyable for the audience, the organizers also thoughtfully prepared dinner bentos for every audience member, hoping that everyone could enjoy a satisfying meal and a fun-filled evening at the performance.
Diabolo performer Chihhan Chao, who grew up with the Diabolo Dance Theater, said the production focused not only on the technical aspects of diabolo, but also carefully considered performance elements such as lighting and costumes. While the diabolo tricks were not designed to be highly difficult, they were carefully selected to convey the atmosphere envisioned by the director. Chao said he was happy to join the Diabolo Dance Theater on the tour.
Diabolo Dance Theater Founder and Director Eddie Liu said he hoped the performance would introduce the troupe to audiences around the world. Unlike the traditional Chinese yo-yo performances typically seen, the production is lively and creative, and he hoped audiences would see more than just the performance itself, including the energy of Taiwan and the Diabolo Dance Theater.
The performance captivated the audience, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats. The production uses light to symbolize hope and the power to move forward, reflecting the Dance Theater’s forty-year history of artistic creation. Through “Light of Life,” the troupe hopes to convey not only its visual artistry and technical skills on stage, but also the vibrant and resilient spirit of the island of Taiwan. The event demonstrated the endless possibilities that can emerge from combining diabolo, dance, and singing in the performing arts.
