Dance Australia was delighted to attend the October 14th launch of the documentary film Moonlight at Night - Taiwan’s Dance Pioneer Tsai Jui-yueh as part of the Taiwan Film Festival in Brisbane. The film celebrated Dr Tsai, a pioneer of dance in Taiwan since 1946, who was single-handedly responsible for the introduction of modern dance into Taiwan, and from the 1950s, dedicated herself to frequent international cultural exchanges, winning global acclaim for her efforts.
From 1971, Dr Tsai developed a strong friendship which initiated exciting cultural exchanges with Dr Elizabeth Cameron Dalman OAM, founder and then Artistic Director of Australian Dance Theatre (ADT) and now Artistic Director of the Mirramu Creative Arts Centre. Dr Tsai migrated to Australia in 1983, shortly after her son Roc Ta-peng Lei joined ADT and was later awarded an honorary doctorate by QUT in recognition of her services to dance. Dr Tsai passed away in 2005, but the strong contemporary dance links between Australia and Taiwan that were forged 50 years ago, remain today.
Pictured above: Dr Cheryl Stock (AM) remembering her early years as a dancer with ADT alongside Roc Ta-Peng Lei; VIPs and guests, including Qld Minister for the Arts Leanne Enoch (centre left).