02/04/16 vb/ks

Hays, Kan. - The Henan Art Troupe will perform ancient Chinese music and theatre on the Fort Hays State University campus on Feb. 10. Tickets are free but will be required for admission.

The performance is part of a long-standing cultural exchange program between Fort Hays State and its sister schools in Henan Province, which is China's sister state with Kansas. The performance is one of only four in the troupe's U.S. tour, including a performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., ahead of the FHSU performance.

The appearance by the Henan Art Troupe in Hays will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10, in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall.

The Hua Xia Ancient Music Group of Henan Museum is highly engaged in the preservation, research and exhibition of ancient Chinese music. Costumes, musical scores and instruments such as the bone flute and chime bells used in the performance are replicas of historical items, some unearthed from ancient Chinese graves.

The Henan Provincial Cultural Department of China has sponsored this special program for select performances in the United States. The event will feature some of the best and most traditional art forms of Chinese folk music, opera, acrobatics and Chinese folk art.

"It is doubtful that those in the audience will experience a Chinese performance more authentic or spectacular than this production from the Henan Art Troupe," said Vincent Bowhay, chair of FHSU's Special Events Committee.

The delegation is made up of 30 members traveling more than 6,000 miles at the special invitation of the Kennedy Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C. "Hays audiences can enjoy China without ever having to leave home," Bowhay said. "This has been offered to us as a special treat as part of the Encore Series."

Tickets are available at the door or at the Student Service Center in the Memorial Union. Admission is free. For more information, contact Bowhay at 785-628-4664.