A Triple Bill gathers international choreographers William Forsythe, Sita Ostheimer, and Hung Tsai-Hsi, reshaping the boundaries of the body and launching CCDC’s brand-new ‘The Connected Stage’ series
[vc_row enable_arrows_animation="no"][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image="50445" img_size="large" alignment="center"][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text](Hong Kong, 20th Nov 2025) City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) launches its new stage series “The Connect Stage” with the new production A Triple Bill, featuring renowned international choreographers: contemporary dance master William Forsythe, two rising stars Sita Ostheimer and Hung Tsai-Hsi. Through three different works, the program showcases the diversity of contemporary dance. A Triple Bill will take place from December 12-14, at Freespace’s The Box, WestK. Tickets are now available at URBTIX, art-mate, and Damai. Classics re-voiced, the contemporary amplified A Triple Bill comprises three deifferent works that illuminate contemporary dance’s multifaceted appeal through divergent choreographic and musical languages, building a world-class stage experience. William Forsythe’s seminal quartet N.N.N.N. is performed by four next-generation male dancers—like a mind refracted into four perspectives. Through continuous oscillation and mutual pull, their bodies generate palpable musicality. The dancer's audible breath score binds them as a tightly linked entity; their limbs becoming singular voices, each tuned and in counterpoint to the others, as they enter into a complex, intense state of music making. The work allows audiences to “hear the dance and see the music,” and to sense the body’s resonant echo in space. This iconic work has toured the world for over two decades. Restaged by Cyril Baldy and Georg Reischl with CCDC’s male dancers, it makes its Asia debut this December. As Cyril notes, the piece is not rigid about form, so it amplifies each dancer’s individuality. Same steps, different bodies, entirely new expressions. Award-winning German choreographer Sita Ostheimer collaborates with seven CCDC female dancers on the new work LUNA. The moon—mysterious and profound—has long been personified through female archetypes, from Greek mythologies to Chinese lore. LUNA challenges these conventions. Through a collective of seven women, it reframes a force far beyond the narrowly “feminine”: nourishing yet incisive, serene yet transformative.
“Jumping Frames 2025: Time Machine” — Takes you on a time-travelling journey of screen and dance. From 16mm film to digital, over 100 films spark a vibrant dialogue between performance and moving image, choreography and media
[vc_row enable_arrows_animation="no"][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image="50373" img_size="large" alignment="center"][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]After two years hiatus, Jumping Frames 2025, presented by the City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) returns with a new theme “Time Machine” this year, featuring screenings, lecture performance, and workshops, where movement transcends time through shifting media. The festival will take place from November 13 to 23, 2025, at the Eaton Hong Kong and Broadway Cinematheque. Tickets are now available at the Broadway Cinematheque website, its box office, and through art-mate. The past is the future - a century-spanning journey through dance on screen The opening films – “Jumping Frames Time Machine” transport the audience to the festival’s own genesis. Through 4 dance films from 2004 – Alienation, Ambiguity, dancescape@margin@beijing, and 10 Nights Rehearsal Note - curator Elysa WENDI revisited the inaugural impulse of the festival, returning to the early dance film experiments and re-experiencing the cityscape of Hong Kong, capturing the dancers across two decades with their movements echoing through time. EXPANDED SPACE: Sometimes I See the Future by CHOY Ka Fai, co-produced by tanzhaus nrw follows. The lecture performance explores the worlds of cosplay and digital entertainment, discussing the notions of telepresence in the age of extreme self, and the possibility of future bodies through virtual avatars. This adaptation is supported by the Eaton Hong Kong Residency in collaboration with Jumping Frames, incorporating a virtual and philosophical aspect to this year's festival. Expanding International Art House Cinema Landscape Spectrums: International Art House Showcase continues the dialogues with International film festivals, including Ann Arbor Film Festival of USA, POOL – MOVEMENT ART FILM Festival Berlin of Germany, Fiver Dance Film Festival of Spain, and Arkipel Jakarta International Documentary Experimental Film Festival of Indonesia, and more. LIGHT CONE of France will be screening a selection of 16mm films. Curators of the four festivals will also appear at the screening, engaging direct
Karen Cheung Appointed Acting Executive Director Following Christopher Ng’s Resignation
[vc_row enable_arrows_animation="no"][vc_column width="1/4"][vc_single_image image="48041" img_size="medium"][vc_column_text]Photo by FUNG Wai-sun[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"][vc_column_text]Mr. Christopher NG resigned as Executive Director on May 28, 2025. The Board of Directors sincerely thanks him for his dedication and leadership to the Company and wishes him the best with his future ventures.Meanwhile, the Board has appointed Ms. Karen CHEUNG, the Company's Festival and Programme Director, as Acting Executive Director to lead the Company moving forward until a suitable successor is identified. With years of experience in the dance field, Karen has served in various positions at the Company, fostering regional and international collaborative networks. She also previously held the position of Head of Dance, Performing Arts at the West Kowloon Cultural District and returned to the CCDC in 2023. All members of the Company welcome Karen’s appointment and will join hands to stride forward with renewed vitality, presenting more soul-stirring works for our audiences.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row enable_arrows_animation="no"][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row enable_arrows_animation="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] Media EnquiriesKevin CHEUNGProgramme Manager3170 9923/ 6355 0273kevin@ccdc.com.hk [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
New Artistic Director Sang Jijia Choreographs Season Opener Mr Blank 2.0 An Interdisciplinary Variation on Fragmentation, Identity, and Truth
[vc_row enable_arrows_animation="no"][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row enable_arrows_animation="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text](Hong Kong,14 April 2025) City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) has unveiled its programme for the 2025/26 season, with newly appointed Artistic Director Sang Jijia leading the creative vision both on stage and behind the scenes. Building on CCDC’s rich legacy, Sang ushers in a new era of expansive and diverse dance landscapes. Under the season theme Impetus, CCDC launches the Exquisite Brilliance series, connecting with international choreographers, and introduces a new rhythm of “local × global” through revamped editions of the City Contemporary Dance Festival and Jumping Frames – Hong Kong International Movement-image Festival. The season begins with Sang’s new creation Mr Blank 2.0, which reinvents the iconic figure through a new visual language and cast, prompting reflection on our hyper-digitalised world. Mr Blank 2.0 will premiere at the Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre, from 2 to 4 May 2025. Tickets are now available at URBTIX. From Character to Choreography: Piecing Together a Personal Truth Back in 2018, Sang Jijia was inspired by novelist Paul Auster’s character Mr. Blank, creating the original Mr. Blank, a work that invited audiences to observe dancers from above as they grappled with fragmented memories in a quest to protect a vanishing self. The work was restaged in 2020 amidst pandemic-induced uncertainties, and in 2021, it was reimagined as a dance-on-film project. Now, with Mr Blank 2.0, Sang repositions the character in a sealed chamber—an environment shaped by the omnipresence of big data and surveillance. Within this enclosed space, Mr. Blank is both an observer and the observed. Combining choreography with performative texts, music and video, the piece meditates once again on the act of piecing together and reclaiming a personal reality in a hyper-connected world. A Sealed Stage with Hidden Cameras Mr Blank 2.0 is set inside an enclosed chamber-like stage. Three sides of the stage are solid walls,
City Contemporary Dance Company Unveils 2025-26 Season “Impetus” Showcasing the Energy and Emotion of Hong Kong Contemporary Dance on Local and Global Stages
[vc_row enable_arrows_animation="no"][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image="46746" img_size="large" alignment="center"][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text](Hong Kong, 21 March 2025) City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) proudly launches its 46th season under the theme Impetus, led by newly appointed Artistic Director Sang Jijia. Embracing innovation and expanding artistic horizons, CCDC introduces new series, fresh rhythms, four stage productions, and an extensive international tour. Drawing inspiration from real-life experiences, the new season presents a rich and diverse programme that integrates excellence in dance, multicultural influences, and interdisciplinary creativity. Main Stage × ’The Connected Stage’ Series – Four Productions of Bold New Creations This May, the season kicks off with Mr Blank 2.0 Inspired by a novel, the first dance adaptation premiered in 2018. Now, after years of global turbulence, the production returns in a reimagined form. Choreographed by Artistic Director Sang Jijia, the piece features a new cast of CCDC dancers, breathing fresh energy into the enigmatic “Mr Blank”. In August, the spotlight shifts to young audiences with International Arts Carnival 2025: My Arena: Dance of Triumph, an exhilarating dance theatre production. This family-friendly performance tells an inspiring story of athletes overcoming setbacks and finding the true essence of competition. Is the gold medal the ultimate reward? Associate Artistic Director Dominic Wong takes the helm as choreographer, leading audiences into the world of sportsmanship, resilience, and personal growth. December marks the debut of CCDC’s brand-new Exquisite Brilliance series with A Triple Bill, a production featuring three internationally acclaimed choreographers from different cities. Each artist brings their distinctive style, resulting in a captivating fusion of cultural perspectives and movement languages. This triple-bill programme offers audiences a dynamic and immersive experience, pushing the boundaries of contemporary dance expression. The season culminates in INterstices, an original work choreographed by Artistic Director Sang Jijia, set to premiere next year as the grand finale of Impetus. Exploring the interwoven dimensions of time, space,
Renowned Choreographer Helen Lai and Dance Artist Chou Shu-yi Present “Certain Movements and Shadows” – a Cross-Generational Masterpiece Blending Light, Imagery and Live Musical Performance
[vc_row enable_arrows_animation="no"][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row enable_arrows_animation="no"][vc_column][vc_single_image image="45189" img_size="full"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row enable_arrows_animation="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text](Hong Kong, 6th January 2025) – As the dance season An Ardent °Fall draws to a close, City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) will present the grand finale Certain Movements and Shadows this February. Jointly choreographed by renowned choreographer Helen Lai and dance artist Chou Shu-yi, and supported by an exceptional production team, this contemporary dance piece explores the relationship between poetry and the human body, creating a work that resonates with the spirit of our times. The performance will be staged at Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre from 15–16 and 21–23 February 2025. Tickets are now available on art-mate and URBTIX. A collaboration that transcends generations and regions; a pursuit through the secret realms where shadows whisper and light dances
Sang Jijia Named New Artistic Director of CCDC
[vc_row enable_arrows_animation="no"][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image="44861" img_size="full" alignment="center"][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text](Hong Kong, Friday, 22 November 2024) The Board of Directors of City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Sang Jijia as the fifth Artistic Director. He will commence his term officially on 1 January 2025. Born in Xiahe, Gansu, Mr Sang Jijia studied dance at Minzu University of China. In 1998, he received the Asian Cultural Council Scholarship to study in the US. Last year, he was awarded the Honorary Fellowship by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. In 1999, he joined City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) as a full-time dancer. Later in 2002, he was selected by the ‘Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative’ to study choreography under William Forsythe in Germany. During his time in Germany, he joined the Ballet Frankfurt and Forsythe Company as Assistant Choreographer and Dancer, respectively. He returned to China in 2006 and has choreographed for CCDC, BeijingDance/LDTX and Guangdong Modern Dance Company. He has also been commissioned by renowned dance companies around the world, including Ballet Frankfurt (Germany), Spellbound Contemporary Ballet (Italy), Carte Blanche (Norway) and GöteborgsOperans Danskompani (Sweden). Since 2015, he has been appointed as the Resident Choreographer for CCDC. Sang Jijia's works focus on the present and resonate deeply with the audience. His stage aesthetics integrate various art forms, including multimedia, visual arts, architecture, and live sound effects, constructing tension-filled images infused with profound ideas. He created many award-winning dance pieces, including Re-mark (the 22nd Hong Kong Dance Awards for ‘Outstanding Medium Venue Production’), Meeting In-between Time (the 24th Hong Kong Dance Awards for ‘Outstanding Alternative Space Production’), and Stream of Dust (the 25th Hong Kong Dance Awards for ‘Outstanding Choreography’ and ‘Outstanding Medium Venue Production’). In 2024, he was presented the ‘Distinguished Achievement Award’ by the 25th Hong Kong Dance Awards
Obituary: Ms Ronly KONG, Manager (Outreach Affairs) of City Contemporary Dance Company
[vc_row enable_arrows_animation="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text](updated: Saturday, 5 October 2024, at HKT 14:08)[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image="44438" img_size="medium" alignment="center"][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text](Hong Kong, Friday, 4 October 2024) It is with profound sadness that City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) announces the passing of Ms Ronly Kong, Manager (Outreach Affairs), on the night of Thursday, 3 October 2024 at the age of 59 after a battle with cancer. Ronly served CCDC for over 32 years, joined CCDC in 1992 as a professional contemporary dancer and dance instructor. Growing alongside the Company, Ronly witnessed the development of dance industry and became a pioneer in establishing school dance education projects. Actively leading the team in promoting school-based dance programmes, youth dancer trainings, and professional training works, Ronly consistently coordinated and led CCDC Junior (primary and secondary school groups) and the “WuDaoQingNian – Podium Dance Performance” projects. Besides skills training, she also cultivated students’ appreciation abilities and understanding of creative concepts. The works of “WuDaoQingNian” had been performed in exchange performances in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Taiwan and Bangkok, during which deep bonds were formed with many students. To provide and promote high-quality dance teaching programmes, Ronly recently focused on professional development work. In the “Sik Sik Yuen Dance Education Research Pilot Scheme”, Ronly designed and wrote a series of creative dance curriculum based on the learning focus of the physical education subject. This curriculum led PE teachers to master the basic concepts of creative teaching, lesson planning, teaching methodology and assessment methods, implementing and practicing in schools. Through the curriculum, students could learn about their bodies, develop problem-solving skills and experience relaxation, and achieve physical and mental well-being. During her secondary school years, Ronly studied Chinese dance under the guidance of Ms Fang Yunqing. In 1989, she obtained a Higher Diploma in Modern Dance from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and received the Hong Kong
The 45th Dance Season Opening Performance Ode to Joy Evolving— Pursues Happiness in a Programmed Realm. Exquisite Dancing Bodies Meeting Fervent Classic Tunes in a Tug-of-War Between Autonomy and Manipulation
[vc_row enable_arrows_animation="no"][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image="41893" img_size="large" alignment="center"][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text](Hong Kong, 6th May 2024) Last month, City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) unveiled the theme of the latest dance season ‘An Ardent °Fall’, along with an array of season-exclusive and anniversary productions. As the prelude to the dance season, Ode to Joy Evolving will guide the audience through the distinctive contemporary dance vocabulary of intermediate generation choreographer Justyne Li to enter a programmed realm in pursuit of happiness. The production will be performed at the Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre from 10 to 12 May 2024. Tickets are now available at URBTIX, CCDC website and art-mate; advance booking of CCDC Dance Season 2024/25 is also available on CCDC website and art-mate until 9 May 2024 with discounts of up to 25%. Classical Music ‘Ode to Joy’ Weaving an Impassioned Dance Space to Echo Our City Today After the debut of the short work Ode to Joy in 2021, Director and Choreographer Justyne Li has refined the work to express completely different meanings on stage. Li explains, ‘This performance is about transformation. The past few years brought significant changes to the world, which has changed people. I then expanded on these imaginations.’ Interlacing the dance work is the fourth movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, ‘Ode to Joy’. The score begins with a soft, tranquil piece of music, before gradually ascending to the majestic chorus at the end. The lyrics were taken from a poem about happiness and fraternity, written by German poet Schiller in 1785. Despite Beethoven’s harsh living conditions, ranging from deafness to financial difficulties, he managed to compose this inspiring piece of music, firmly conveying his pursuits for peace, freedom, and happiness. Aspects of classical times cast light on those of the contemporary era: the annual happiness rankings published around the world differ and fluctuate from time to time.
Unveiling CCDC’s Latest Dance Season ‘An Ardent °Fall’ and 45th Anniversary Events A Tribute to Local and Overseas Autumnal Dance Works Enjoy up to 25% Discount on Advance Booking
[vc_row enable_arrows_animation="no"][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image="41355" img_size="large" alignment="center"][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text](Hong Kong, 26th March 2024) Stepping into the 45th bountiful year, City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) announces this season’s theme: ‘An Ardent °Fall’ – a dance scenery of autumnal cultivation and harvest. To celebrate CCDC’s anniversary, two outdoor performances, four stage productions, and a series of overseas events – all revolving around fall, will be launched. The line-up is akin to extracting nutrients from the harvests in the past 45 years, irrigating the dance company’s future creations and productions, while spreading contemporary dance art like seeds to an ever-wider audience base. Advance booking of CCDC Dance Season 2024/25 is now available on CCDC website and art-mate till 9th May 2024 with discounts of up to 25% and a one-year free membership. Four Stage Performances – Harvest the Past, Sow for the Future Dance Season ‘An Ardent °Fall’ will be kicked off by Ode to Joy Evolving in May. Choreographer Justyne Li has reshaped her short work Ode to Joy created several years ago with her distinctive contemporary vocabulary, dividing her body into two extreme mental states. Against the backdrop of a warm autumn, Justyne Li captivates the audience through dance as she navigates a programmed realm in another dimension of time and space. The work looks into the inextricable connections between human autonomy and the ever-evolving technology. Showing in July is As If Snowing by Artist in Residence Qiao Yang, which is the fruit of her autobiographic solo dance Almost 55, after five years of nurturing. The new work is tailor-made for Yang by resident choreographer Sang Jijia. The two will join forces with guest dancers Luo Fan and Kelvin Mak, along with the creative team, including dramaturg Janice Poon, costume designer Taurus Wah, and video designer Adrian Yeung. Amid a vast rice field, they behold the reaping with