Myanmar's Shwe Man Thabin troupe represents the heritage of one of the world’s most vibrant and exciting cultures. Heirs to an artistic lineage that stretches back through the centuries, yet effortlessly contemporary in their approach, the members of Shwe Man Thabin are a living link to Myanmar’s rich past, who also ensure that this legacy of court and popular folk traditions will be an integral component of Myanmar’s future. A highly stylized form, zat pwe typically takes the form of an all-night cabaret, and is a highly popular part of village pagoda celebrations, featuring dancers, comedians, clowns, and acrobats, all accompanied by a live percussion and gong ensemble known as the Hsaing Wang. Asia Society's Shwe Man Thabin events (right) are part of Myanmar's Moment, a programming series built around the groundbreaking Asia Society Museum exhibition Buddhist Art of Myanmar, which runs from February 10 to May 10, 2015, in New York City. Download program notes here.