The Vietnamese Performing Arts Group's Second Visit to Vietnam

All Photographs by Eric McAllister Unless Otherwise Noted

Saturday December 10, 2005 - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Well technically fourteen (14) of us arrived at Ho Chi Minh City International Airport with a few minutes to spare on Friday December 9th. But before we saw a single claimed bag, it was already December 10th. Within a few days, we would become a group of sixteen (16) and we knew of four other friends and NDC supporters who were on vacation in Vietnam that we would meet up with later. The Ho Chi Minh City Ballet was kind enough to arrange to have their bus pick us up at the airport and delivered us to our first hotel, the Khach San Cuu Kim Son, which we had picked because it was not far from the airport.

The next morning, we put all of our luggage and costumes back on the bus and moved to our second hotel, Khach San Huong Sen, in District 1 not far from the river. Conveniently located, we were close enough to walk to all of our workshops, rehearsals, and performances.
Our first day was spent adjusting our internal clocks to the time change. District 1 is the location of many traditional sites and landmarks sought out on a tourist's first visit to old Saigon. For those of us on our second visit, seeing some familiar sites helped us get our sense of direction back. For others, it was about experiencing Vietnam for the first time. Of course, a visit to Ben Thanh Market was in order, were we could begin to find additional costumes, props, and the necessary gifts for our family and friends back home. Danny and Tiffany started making arrangements for new and custom dance outfits. The day was lovely and a few of us went to the river to take in the sight of passing boats.
We had learned of a public dance and music performance that would be staged in front of the Metropolitan Theatre. Unfortunately, it rained that evening as we had dinner and it appeared that the event would be canceled. A few of us happened to pass by just as they decided to "go on with the show." It was a fine ending for our first full day in Vietnam and gave a few of us the chance to see some of the dancers we would be meeting and working with over the next few days.

Sunday December 11, 2005 - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

On our second day, it was time to get busy and get down to business. We headed out of District 1 and saw a little of the surrounding area. Our friend and NDC supporter Kim, who was on vacation in Vietnam at the same time, arranged for us to visit one of the city's orphanages. As you can see, you couldn't help but fall for the babies, but there was more in store for us. Both NDC and Kim brought along candy and treats to give to the orphans. It seems a bit of a cliche, but it gave us a chance to interact with most of them individually and gave them time to warm up. And like children all around the world, they were more than happy to accept.
In time, we gathered the group together and provided them with an impromptu preview of some of the dance pieces we would perform later in the week. It was an extremely hot, humid day, but everyone managed to have some fun and the audience was enthusiastic. As always, the kids loved attempting to emulate the dances they had just seen, teasing each other and having fun with the material, and posing for the camera.
At the end of the afternoon, we gathered for everyone to take group pictures and to say our goodbyes. It's difficult to leave, but it helps knowing you brought a little and shared a little that they wouldn't have received otherwise.

Monday December 12, 2005 - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

For Tiffany and Danny, today would partially be another day of work. There was workshop and rehearsal planning to be done. There were costumes and props to be secured or purchased. There were custom costume designs to be checked up on. And our performance was less than three days away.
That left the rest of us free to experience a little of Vietnam on our own or in small groups. One group took a day trip tour down to see part of the Mekong delta area and sample the local foods. Some of us visited some of the local temples and pagodas. There was a quick tour of a lacquer production area so we could learn how these intricate works of art are made. And in the afternoon a different group took a trip to see the infamous Cu Chi tunnels from the war.

Tueday December 13, 2005 - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Today was the big day—the first real work day, that is. We were scheduled to meet with the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Company. Together, Nguyen Dance Company and the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Company would take turns presenting our dance works, styles, and knowledge in the spirit of exchange.
The HCMC Ballet Company was kind enough to send their bus again to pick us up, but as it turned out we could have walked once we learned where the studio was. When we arrived, they had a big banner across the studio welcoming us as fellow performers to Vietnam. The studio was small, packed with people between the two groups, and obviously a place were serious dance work and rehearsal occured.
First the HCMC Ballet Company treated NDC to a presentation of their core dance repertoir. It was well rounded, showing pieces based in traditional and native influences, ballet, and even a modern piece. Next, NDC treated the HCMC Ballet Company to an integrated dance workshop. Danny Nguyen led the workshop, warming up the dancers together to make sure we all had an opportunity to become familiar with one another in this cramped, hot space and to get a sense of everyone's abilities. Once we were all dripping with sweat, Danny and the NDC dancers as demonstrative participants taught them a few segments from dances that NDC would perform in a few days in HCMC.
The mood was exhilarating and it seemed that NDC brought a gift not frequently shared: the chance to try completely new dance movements and styles and to experience the freedom to try matching dance to a wide variety of music. It is during sessions like this that there is no doubt that everyone in both groups truly loves dance. Their faces light up and there is a willingness, almost a compulsion, to share thoughts and opinions even through the verbal challenge.
After the workshop, Danny, Connie Portero, and Tobey Kaplan shared some small gifts and information about Peralta Colleges back in the United States. The HCMC Ballet Company let NDC use the studio to rehearse and prepare for our upcoming, shared show.

But there was some apprehension building already. The HCMC Ballet Company had been charged with securing benches for our dance piece The Aftermath in the upcoming show. We had elected not to bring our three benches with us for the obvious reasons: they are heavy, would incur excess luggage fees, and would need to be hauled around or stored when we didn't need them. We had worked through the Vietnamese Consulate in the U.S., but it became quickly apparent that the company did not understand the serious need and specific requirements for the benches. They needed to be very smooth since we slide across them. They needed to be very sturdy since we have up to six dancers standing on one of them during the piece. And, most of all, we need to be able to secure them to the floor (e.g. with tape) since we do a good amount of spinning, rolling, and jumping off of them. A picture of our bench is here, but you get the idea.

Standing against the wall outside the studio were several rough, unfinished planks of wood less than half the thickness required that were to become our benches. Mind you, the performance is now only two nights away and as we were preparing to leave they were cutting the boards to size. We managed to convince them that one of the benches had to be doubled up, but began to steel ourselves for what would not be a great experience. Worst of all, we would not see these benches until the actual day of our evening performance.

All or nothing, baby. All or nothing.
Also that afternoon, one of our dancers was mugged as a local whizzed by on a motorbike snatching his wallet as he was putting it away. It only took a second, but the damage was done. Suddenly many of us realized while there are things with a sense of familiarity to comfort us, there are others equally as familiar but much less comforting.

So we did what any reasonable people would do. We went back and relaxed in whatever way we could. Dinner. A cocktail. Window shopping. It all helps. And it all reminds us that with the good and exciting, comes the bad.

Wednesday December 14, 2005 - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

So the theme for our visit to Vietnam had been set. Today we were scheduled to meet with yet another group: the Bong Sen Dance Company. Last year, just prior to returning home, Danny was able to meet with the Bong Sen Dance Company informally and observe one of their rehearsals. We had exchanged e-mails and phone calls all year in hopes of meeting up again when NDC came to Vietnam in 2005. It was nice to see some familiar faces and made the initial meeting and introduction of the two companies easier and—best of all—quicker.

Together, the Bong Sen Dance Company and the Nguyen Dance Company would take turns presenting dance works, styles, and knowledge in the spirit of exchange. The Bong Sen Dance Company's rehearsal space is much larger and since it is on the second floor has windows that really light the place up. A few trees on the street and neighboring buildings keep the sun from beating directly on the space, so though it was warm, it didn't feel quite as hot.
Like yesterday, the Bong Sen Dance Company presented a few of their signature pieces for NDC. The Bong Sen Dance Company is a slightly larger group and is able to construct dance works with many dancers. Just the HCMC Ballet Company, the Bong Sen Dance Company takes its work seriously too.
Danny was in his element now. He lead the combined group in a warm-up session and then taught them, as with the HCMC Ballet Company, portions of his own works that would be performed tomorrow.

Our Searchlight Films friends, Ashley James and Kathryn Golden were with us too. They were working on their own project: a documentary about Danny's escape from Vietnam in the early 1980's, his eventual return trips to Vietnam, and the experience and impact of sharing his art with the people he grew up with. If you are not familiar with their body of work, check out www.searchlightfilms.org to learn more about Searchlight Films. They are incredibly gifted and an asset to the arts community.
After the joint session, NDC presented a few of their pieces. Prior to coming, we learned that a we would not be allowed to perform a few of our newest dance works. Essentially, the problem was that they had not been reviewed and approved by the proper authorities and there wasn't enought time to do that right before the show. We had always had the pieces in our proposal, but were unable to submit video of them until just before we left for Vietnam. As we were leaving, we learned that these pieces would, in fact, be cut. This shortened our overall show and made some remaining pieces—such as The Aftermath with the benches—even more important.
But it didn't shorten our spirit. Since this workshop was informal, we took the opportunity and presented some of the new pieces to the Bong Sen Dance Company. It wasn't the same as performing the for a broad audience, but it felt good to get it out in front of someone in Vietnam since we had worked so hard to prepare all of our performance material.

You win some. You lose some. But this one—it felt like a win.
The Bong Sen Dance Company loaned us their rehearsal space for the rest of the afternoon. We only had one day before our performance, so we need all the rehearsal time we could muster. Unfortunately, we still would not be able to practice with the benches yet. So we spent a few more minutes with our friends and then rehearsed until we dropped.

NDC would like to offer up special thanks to our hosts, the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Company and the Bong Sen Dance Company. They were more than gracious and made it much, much easier for us to prepare for our public performance. Also, our special thanks to our old friend Vinh. Vinh helped a few of us get around in 2004 on our first trip to Vietnam. He was no less helpful in 2005. During today's performance he helped us get more batteries, get more digital camera memory cards, snacks (delicious snacks), and even gave a few of us a quick ride on the motorbike. But his interaction with and advice to the group is what we trust and value most. We love you, Vinh! Never change!
Click on either of these simlar photographs to see the enlarged view. The first (left) is the Saigon River as seen from the roof of the Khach San Huong Sen at night. The second (right) is of the same section of the Saigon River as seen from the roof of the Khach San Bong Sen in daylight.

Thursday December 15, 2005 - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

The big day was finally here! NDC's debut in Vietnam was just a few hours away. Would everything come off without a hitch? Today we would see our benches for the first time. The success of an 18 minute dance—the finale of our show—depends on them. Some of us have a cold or flu. Our photographer, yours truly, is sick in bed. A few others aren't feeling well.
Well since I was sick, I didn't capture any pictures of this day or the major event! Fortunately, we've been able to borrow some pictures from others in the group (as noted) and capture a few screen shots from the video taping of the performance. My personal thanks to all for pitching in to make this story complete.
Photograph by Mark Steenrod
The Metropolitan Theatre in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City is a jewel. It is beautiful inside and out and kept in good condition. Above, Mark Steenrod took this beautiful picture showing the interior of the theatre as NDC works through a warm-up session the stage. Below, Emily Mizuno handed her camera to a bystander and captured the excitement as (from left to right) she, Nan Busse, and Peggy De Coursey prepare for the performance. Our shopping for new costumes has reinvigorated everyone.
Photograph by Emily Mizuno
We don't have images of all the dances we performed yet, but we will add them below as we do get them. Hopefully, this will give you a sense of the production we provided to the Vietnamese at the Metropolitan Theatre.

Transitions, their signature Modern dance piece, was what NDC decided to kick off the program with. Of course some of the dance piece order was driven by allowing enough time for costume changes and rest between numbers, but this piece was specifically selected to go first due to its stark contrast to traditional Vietnamese dance. It had the added benefit of getting the entire dance company out in front of the audience immediately. The colors of our stunning new costumes gave this piece an additional surreal effect with the contrast against the very dark background.
Photographs Captured from Searchlight Films' Video
To Have and To Hold is a butoh-inspired duet that Danny Nguyen and Tiffany Barbarash perform in minimalist costume. With it's haunting background music and austere stage, it is a visually compelling piece that captures and keeps your attention.
Photographs Captured from Searchlight Films' Video
The Aftermath concluded NDC's show at the Metropolitan Theatre in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). The Aftermath is a commemerative piece dedicated to the victims of the 9/11 attack in New York City. It is haunting and sorrowful, but reflects back on life and itneractions that once were.
Photographs Captured from Searchlight Films' Video
Oh, and the benches. The benches. The benches would have to do. No sliding—or a painful splinter might be the result.
Photograph by Mark Steenrod
So what happened then? Let's say this was a learning experience in the same same, but different category. It's never the same to replace something you are familiar with and have adapted to over months (years) with its claimed facsimile. During the rehearsal and performance, everyone had to curb and simulate movements that involved sliding across the bench. As you can see, the legs were installed closer to the end of the plank, so everyone had to adjust their sense and understanding of where the balance points were. Because the planks were thinner, they bowed more easily creating movement when the dancers had grown to expect none. And of course they were lighter, so different applied force made them behave differently.

All in all, the dancers were resilient and showed fortitude delivering a brilliant performance anyway. They are to be commended for their ability, professionalism, and the beauty and messages they convey.
Photograph by Mark Steenrod

Sunday December 18, 2005 - Nha Trang

Originally, we were going to perform in the city of Nha Trang, farther up the Vietnamese coastline. But some regional or district agreements couldn't be ironed out, so instead the group was welcomed to visit Nha Trang even though we would not perform. Nonetheless, we used this opportunity to absorb more of the Vietnamese culture. While it rained. And rained ...

Check back soon for more additions to this journal of our trip.