Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company announces A Fifth Anniversary Tribute to the Life and Legacy of Nai-Ni Che

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, one of the nation’s leading contemporary dance ensembles, founded by Chinese-American choreographer Nai-Ni Chen and now led by Artistic Director Greta Campo and Executive Director Andy Chiang, announces a fifth anniversary tribute to the life of Nai-Ni Chen, set for Saturday, December 12, 2026 at 4PM at White Eagle Hall, 337 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302. General admission tickets are $100, with $30 tickets available for artists and collaborators. Tickets are available here.

Join the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company and Jersey City Theater Center for a special celebration honoring the life, artistry, and enduring legacy of visionary choreographer Nai-Ni Chen (1959–2021). This commemorative event features live performances of her iconic works Incense, Shadow Force, and Raindrops, a screening of the PBS documentary Unity: Choreographer Nai-Ni Chen Remembered, and heartfelt remembrances from dancers, collaborators, and friends. The afternoon will also celebrate her deep connections to Jersey City, her groundbreaking contributions to Asian American contemporary dance, and her commitment to inclusive arts education.

The celebration will pay special tribute to Nai-Ni's connections with Jersey City, including her work with New Jersey City University, Jersey City Theater Center and her commitment to bringing dance to students with disabilities at the A. Harry Moore School. These relationships exemplified her belief that dance is a universal language capable of connecting people across cultures, generations, and abilities.

This commemorative gathering will feature:

Live performances of Nai-Ni Chen's iconic works: Incense, Shadow Force, and Raindrops—three distinctive works that reveal the depth, originality, and expressive power of her choreography.

A special screening of Unity: Choreographer Nai-Ni Chen Remembered: A moving documentary produced for NJ PBS's State of the Arts, directed and produced by Eric Schultz, tracing Nai-Ni's extraordinary artistic journey and the legacy she left behind.

Personal stories and remembrances: Dancers, artistic collaborators, students, and friends will share memories of Nai-Ni as an artist, mentor, teacher, and friend, offering intimate glimpses into the remarkable woman behind the choreography.

More than a memorial, this afternoon is a celebration of the creative spirit that Nai-Ni Chen shared so generously with the world. Her work continues to inspire new generations of dancers and audiences, carrying forward her lifelong belief in the power of art to connect people across differences.

We invite everyone whose life has been touched by Nai-Ni Chen—whether through her performances, teaching, friendship, or artistic vision—to join us in celebrating a life devoted to dance, creativity, and humanity.

About Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company is a rare Asian American woman-led professional touring company with programs for educational settings, community organizations and mainstage venues. The Company's mission is to be a premier provider of innovative cultural experiences that reflect the inspiring hope and energy of the immigrant’s journey. It was founded with the vision that the journey of crossing cultures and adapting to a new home provides endless inspirations and opportunities for creative expressions that can enrich the human experience. Each one of the company’s works is aimed at increasing the visibility of the struggle, triumph, despair, and joy of this experience. The Company's productions provide authentic experiences and bring forth issues of identity, authenticity, and equality. The Company’s worldwide touring is represented by General Arts Touring, www.generalartstouring.com.

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