Dancers in Chinatown celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Melody Wu, a teacher at the Bridgeport-based DanDance Art Academy, gave her dancers a smiling thumbs-up as they finished a public performance in Chinatown Square.

The Uyghur ethnic dance, part of an event Sunday celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, was the culmination of lots of hard work, Wu said.

Wu’s students have been honored in citywide competitions. And the school’s K-pop group is sending 11 teens to a national competition this fall.

“The girls are so hardworking,” she said. “As a teacher, I’ve been glad to see them improve themselves.”

The showcase featured a variety of dances.

Performer Zhi Qing Aiu showcased the face-changing art of bian lian. Aiu swapped masks mid-performance, sometimes hidden behind a fan or hand, to show the changing mood of his dance’s story.

But art was not the only focus of the celebration hosted by the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese American Association at Greater Chicago.

Wang Baodong, Chinese Consul General in Chicago, spoke about Present Donald Trump and China’s recent diplomatic meetings that were unexpectedly dominated by discussions about Taiwan.

Baodong said he is hopeful the Chinese diaspora in Chicago will rally together, just as he hopes the two countries will.

“This year is a big year for Chinese and U.S. relations,” Baodong said. “Our countries should be partners rather than rivals.”