site-specific performance
have red ever green
New York China town's Columbus Park Pavillion was fenced off for a long period of time. In 1996 Tai Dang wrote a proposal to reopen the park's pavilion to create a dance theater performance project with a generous grant from Dancing In The Street and permission from NYC Park Tai Dang transform this space to a grand theatrical performance.
The park has a significant historical background:
Columbus Park, formerly known as Mulberry Bend Park, Five Points Park, and Paradise Park . During the 19th century, this was the most dangerous ghetto area of immigrant New York as portrayed in the book and film Gangs of New York. Back then, the park's site was part of the Five Points neighborhood, in the area known as Mulberry Bend, hence its alternative names. It was renamed Columbus Park in 1911. After Tai Dang successful performance many community organizations began to advocate for a safe and clean park that can adequately serve our kids, seniors and the general public in our community. In 2005 NYC mayor Micheal Bloomberg donate 1 million to remodel Columbus Park. Today, the park often serves as a gathering place for the local Chinese community, where "the neighborhood meets up here to play mahjong, perform traditional Chinese music... practice tai chi in the early mornings."
