Around the World: Wong Kar Wai Film Retrospective, 'Written in Water' by Ragamala Dance Company, and More

Each week, we'll share a variety of videos, articles, webcasts, and more from around the web — all curated by the Asia Society Texas Center staff to reflect the broad interests and goals of our mission. In this digest, immerse yourself in music, dance, and more by innovative performing artists.

Ragamala Dance Company: Written in Water and The Fires of Creativity

Experience Ragamala's visionary approach to the South Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam in the visually stunning multimedia dance work Written in Water. Inspired by the ancient Indian board game Paramapadham, also known as "Snakes and Ladders," dancers and musicians move freely between composition and improvisation representing the heights of ecstasy and depths of longing. In The Fires of Creativity, Meany Center Artistic Director Michelle Witt interviews the mother/daughter artistic leaders of Ragamala Dance Company.

The performance is free with registration, and streams December 4, 9:30 p.m. CT – December 12, 1:59 a.m. CT.

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Virtual Film Retrospective: World of Wong Kar Wai

In the Mood for Love (2000).

Contemporary cinema's supreme rhapsodist of romantic longing, Wong Kar Wai makes mesmerizing mood pieces that swirl around themes of time, dislocation, and the yearning for human connection. Presented by the Film at Lincoln Center in partnership with Janus Films.

This retrospective opened November 25 and runs through January 1, with films being released for rental throughout the month of December. Price to rent is $10–12 per film.

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Pocket Performance: Gord Grdina, Aga Khan Museum

Based in Vancouver, Gord Grdina constantly reinvents himself while retaining an individual voice. Aside from leading the group GG3, he heads up the East Strings, Haram, and Sangha. He also records and performs regularly with Dan Mangan and The Crackling. A protégé of jazz great Gary Peacock, he is a well-respected contributor to the jazz and world music scenes. He performs as part of the Aga Khan's Pocket Performance series, created to expand horizons with a world-class selection of music, dance, comedy, and other performing arts.

Yo-Yo Ma Performs 'Songs of Comfort' at the Asia Society Game Changer Awards

Yo-Yo Ma performs parts of two "songs of comfort" — Antonin Dvořák's "Going Home" and the traditional Shaker song "Simple Gifts" — at Asia Society's Game Changer Awards, where the legendary musician was one of six honorees.

Learn more about the Game Changer Awards »

Business and Policy programs are endowed by Huffington Foundation. We give special thanks to Bank of America, Muffet Blake, Anne and Albert Chao, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Nancy Pollok Guinee, and United Airlines, Presenting Sponsors of Business and Policy programs; Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, and Leslie and Brad Bucher, Presenting Sponsors of Exhibitions; Dr. Ellen R. Gritz and Milton D. Rosenau, Presenting Sponsors of Performing Arts and Culture; Wells Fargo, Presenting Sponsor of Education & Outreach; and Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Presenting Sponsor of the Japan Series. General support of programs and exhibitions is provided by The Brown Foundation, Inc., The Hearst Foundation, Inc., Houston Endowment, Inc., the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, McKinsey & Company, Inc., National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, Vinson & Elkins LLP, and Mary Lawrence Porter, as well as Friends of Asia Society.

About Asia Society at Home

We are dedicated to continuing our mission of building cross-cultural understanding and uplifting human connectivity. Using digital tools, we bring you content for all ages and conversations that matter, in order to spark curiosity about Asia and to foster empathy.

About Asia Society Texas Center

With 13 locations throughout the world, Asia Society is the leading educational organization promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among the peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and West. Asia Society Texas Center executes the global mission with a local focus, enriching and engaging the vast diversity of Houston through innovative, relevant programs in arts and culture, business and policy, education, and community outreach.