New Yorkers trade the Big Apple for Shanghai at incredible, immersive, arts festival

No plane ticket required. They left Manhattan behind to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and flavors of Shanghai for Shanghai Day at the Lincoln Center, part of the fourth annual Summer for the City event series on Saturday.

Over the course of more than 10 events, New York audiences experienced a multifaceted portrait of Shanghai's contemporary culture — where traditional aesthetics intersect with modern innovation.

Tens of thousands of people attended the all-day event in the heart of New York City, co-organized by the venerable Lincoln Center and the Center for the China Shanghai International Arts Festival.

Street dance battles took place alongside a sizzling jazz concert led by trumpeter Li Xiaochuan, while a family friendly performance introduced children to the Chinese zodiac through music.

Visitors from diverse backgrounds were treated to a wide array of attractions such as a Shanghai artisan market with handmade crafts and interactive demonstrations, and a fantastic screening of the classic animated film, The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven.

"It's July and it's hot, and in July in Shanghai, it's really hot, so you get a true sense of both Shanghai culture and Shanghai weather," Bill Einreinhofer, winner of three Emmy Awards who has also done documentaries about Shanghai, told China Daily at the event.

The day concluded with a large concert inspired by the global gaming sensation Arknights, which showcased Shanghai's fusion of heritage and contemporary digital culture.

In the evening there was a silent disco with DJ Dada (Li Haoyan) who took the crowd on a musical journey with the erhu and pipa dance blending with electronic bass and guzheng samples mixed into psychedelic rhythms.

Andrew Cap, a content creator who has studied and lived in Shanghai, explained the similarities between the places.

"I think there's a lot of similarity between New York and Shanghai," Cap told China Daily. "The multiculturalism, the international feel. Shanghai, because of its history, because of its more international feel, it's a great first step for people to see China because it's a little bit more relatable.

"For someone that's never been to Asia, you are a little bit intimidated. Shanghai doesn't feel intimidating. There are parts of it that feel like Europe, there are parts of it that feel very international, very modern. I think it's a great place to go to experience China for the first time."

Later on, a stunning performance of Lady White Snake was presented by the renowned Shanghai Grand Theatre as part of the cultural program in New York.

The cast enthralled the audience with their elegant performance, which runs until July 27 in the David H. Koch Theater. It transforms the story about a thousand-year-old snake's metamorphosis and discipline to attain human form into a modern rendition about the human psyche.

Rooted in the timeless Chinese folk legend, The Tale of the White Snake, the contemporary production reimagines the centuries-old story through a blend of ballet, Chinese classical dance and modern movement.

Acclaimed ballet star Tan Yuanyuan, artistic director of Lady White Snake and former principal dancer with San Francisco Ballet, told China Daily that the production emerged from an extended process of artistic experimentation and reimagining of tradition.

Tan believes dance serves as a bridge between cultures. As a Chinese dancer working in the US, she introduces Chinese elements through her performances and sees dance as a universal language that brings people together.

"This version is the premiere international in the US," Tan told China Daily. "For me, dancing is a bridge to a lot of places. Dance brings joy to people.

"When you are very tired or you're very frustrated or happy, you can go to the theater, just watch a live show and you know that moment, you're happy or maybe you feel touched," she added. "That's why I think this is very important. It's a bridge to your heart."

Shanghai Grand Theatre prides itself on being a key platform for promoting Shanghai's cultural presence on the global stage.

It has taken a significant step from "bringing in" to "going out" with this international performance with deep cultural roots and innovation, Zhang Xiaoding, general manager of the theatre, told China Daily.

"In the past, we've had deep collaborations with many artistic groups and artists from Europe and the US, but White Snake marks our first time presenting an original work based on a traditional Chinese story to international audiences. Through this contemporary interpretation, we hope to showcase the creative direction of Chinese performing arts, Zhang said.

For the lead dancers of White Snake, the Shanghai Day performance in New York marked not only a milestone in their artistic careers but also a chance to fulfill their cultural mission as Chinese performers.

The cast has strong international backgrounds: Liu Sirui, who plays White Snake, is a principal dancer at Cincinnati Ballet, while Sun Jiayong, who plays Xu Xian, is a former principal dancer with Bejart Ballet Lausanne in Switzerland.

"We are Chinese dancers and teachers, and we carried the mission of telling China's stories and sharing the spirit of Chinese culture," Su Hailu, who plays the role of Fa Hai, said in an interview with China Daily. "Integrating traditional Chinese dance with ballet in a complete narrative is a deeply meaningful endeavor."

Wang Nianci, who plays Xiao Qing, told China Daily: "We hope American audiences can feel the beauty of Chinese culture when blended with Western art. White Snake is a truly successful example of international collaboration."

Shanghai Day also gave attendees the chance to hear the unique sounds of virtuoso trumpeter Li Xiaochuan, a composer and educator who played "Shanghai Jazz."

"Shanghai jazz has a very unique character," Li said. "The city itself is a place where Eastern and Western cultures meet, and jazz already had fertile ground here back in the 1920s and 30s.

"On one hand, it carries the elegance and romance of old Shanghai; on the other hand, since the late 1990s, generations of young musicians have continuously infused it with fresh energy and a spirit of experimentation. I place a strong emphasis on the imagery and philosophy of Eastern culture, and I explore how jazz can be used to express those ideas.

Li added: "Whenever I perform abroad and people hear how we integrate Chinese instruments or folk melodies into modern jazz, they're always amazed to discover how limitless jazz can be. That's how I understand the spirit of Shanghai jazz: embracing diversity and innovation while staying rooted in tradition."

Chinese game Arknights used its concert to showcase the fashion, creativity and youthful energy associated with Shanghai to a New York audience.

The popular mobile game, developed in Shanghai, launched in 2019 and has attracted over 100 million players worldwide, combining strategic gameplay, strong visual style and deep storytelling.

The live performance celebrated the game's music by effortlessly blending orchestral music, traditional Chinese instruments, rock and dance with large-screen visuals and animation from the game.

It all created an immersive experience on stage and demonstrated how Arknights connects global audiences through music, art and storytelling with a distinct voice from modern Shanghai.

In addition to the musical performances, audiences were able to engage with a variety of interactive exhibits throughout the day that highlighted traditional Chinese craftsmanship and local culture from Shanghai.

Activities included demonstrations of silk brocade weaving, calligraphy, seal carving and hands-on experiences with Wunijing cotton textile techniques.

Visitors also explored the making of enamel jewelry presented by Lao Feng Xiang and sampled vegetarian pastries inspired by Longhua Temple traditions.

This part of the event also featured traditional Chinese knot buttons, handwoven fabrics and contemporary interpretations of opera-style makeup.

A curated selection of cultural products from Shanghai's Xuhui district was also on display, offering a glimpse into the city's blend of heritage and modern design.

Saundra Barnes, a professor who taught at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou four decades ago, was clear about what makes Shanghai truly special — she believes it's the warmth of the people, the culture and their incredible food.

"My connection with Shanghai was 41 years ago, before there was a direct flight to Guangzhou," Barnes told China Daily. "I had to fly into Shanghai. So, I was there for a few days, and mind you it was a few of the most fabulous days in my life. Shanghai people, they are very home oriented. Very warm, very gentle, very giving, and the food is exquisite."

Contact the writers at mingmeili@chinadailyusa.com