Dancers from Nanjing Song & Dance Troupe perform "Flowers Flourish" on Oct. 11, 2019, in Houston, Texas, the United States. (Xinhua/Chengyue Lao)

With award-winning dancers from China and Houston, the dance show featured various kinds of Chinese folk dances, showing audiences the vast country of China offers in culture, tradition, history, and varying lifestyles of multiple ethnic minorities.

HOUSTON, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- The 14th "Splendid China" dance show was staged Friday night in Houston, the fourth largest city of the United States, welcomed by hundreds of local Chinese and American audiences.

Organized by local dancing troupe Dance of Asian America (DAA), this year's "Splendid China" invited dancers of China's Nanjing Song and Dance Troupe to perform at Houston's famous Miller Outdoor Theatre.

With award-winning dancers from China and Houston, the dance show featured various kinds of Chinese folk dances, showing audiences the vast country of China offers in culture, tradition, history, and varying lifestyles of multiple ethnic minorities.

Lin Daqing, head of the Nanjing delegation, told Xinhua there were 12 young dancers from Nanjing Song and Dance Troupe in the show. "We have prepared seven dances, some of them were specially choreographed for the event."

Mitsi Shen, artistic director of DAA, said that for 14 years, "Splendid China" has been highly recognized by the renowned Miller Outdoor Theatre as well as audiences from diverse ethnic groups in Houston.

"Some parents from different ethnic groups told me after the show that they wanted to bring their children to DAA to learn Chinese dance," she said.

Established in 2001, DAA aims at promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of China through authentic Chinese dance. In doing so, DAA sustains traditions, builds international ties, educates Houstonians in cross-cultural understanding, and fosters new generations of professional artists, according to the organizers. ■