Pravaha Dance Festival 2026 - Day 1

Sàng Tsáu
A Taiwanese Ritual Dance
By Hsu Chen Wei Dance Company

The Hsu Chen Wei Dance Company was founded by choreographer Chen-Wei Hsu, whose work explores the relationship between the body, ritual and the cycles of life and death. Influenced by his upbringing in a family engaged in traditional Taiwanese funeral practices, Hsu’s choreography often draws from themes of spirituality, mortality and aesthetics, using the body as a vessel for emotional and symbolic expression. The company’s productions have toured across Europe and Asia and are known for their quiet intensity and choreographic precision. The company also engages in community-based projects, expanding dance into education and healing.
Sàng Tsáu is inspired by a Taoist ritual in Taiwan called ‘Sending off the Gods’. As part of this tradition, people offer food and incense to thank the gods for their protection and send them back to heaven before the New Year, as a way to let go of the past and welcome a fresh beginning. The dance does not directly copy the ritual but transforms its spirit into movement. Seven dancers represent seven deities, guiding the audience through five chapters—gathering, facing human struggles, cleansing, blessing and farewell. The audience is not only watching a performance but also sharing the feeling of a modern collective ritual.
An NCPA Presentation

Age Limit: 6+
Late entry will not be permitted.