On Saturday, September 21 at 6:30PM, Newton North and Newton South High Schools will host Dawning Ties: A Gala Celebration and Fall Fundraiser in the Newton North HS auditorium. This celebration of cultural unity, education, and international friendship combines the festive spirit of the Mid-Fall Festival with a renewed commitment to global exchange through the reopening of the Newton-Beijing Jingshan Exchange Program. It is also the fall fundraiser for the Jennifer Price Global Education Leadership Fund (GELF).
The Mid-Fall Festival is traditionally celebrated in China as a time for family reunions — and this event aims to bring together families, friends, and students from two different sides of the globe. The gala will highlight not just the holiday’s theme of unity, but also its importance in promoting cross-cultural ties and international collaboration.
Newton-Beijing Jingshan Exchange Program
A key part of the evening will be a ceremony honoring the restarting of the Newton-Beijing Jingshan Exchange Program, the oldest U.S.-China secondary school exchange program in the country. This historic partnership between Newton Public Schools and Beijing Jingshan School began in 1983 and has played a crucial role in building bridges between young people in the U.S. and China. The exchange program, paused in recent years, is being relaunched at a time when global collaboration is more important than ever. Both students and educators are excited to see the program resume, rekindling friendships and academic exchanges that have left lasting impacts on participants from both countries. The gala’s opening ceremony will mark the official restart of this renowned program.
Beijing Youth Performance Troupe
The cultural heart of the evening will be a performance by the Beijing Youth Performance Troupe from Beijing Normal University. This award-winning ensemble captivates audiences with performances that blend traditional Chinese culture with contemporary artistry. For the gala, the troupe will present folk dances filled with color, movement, and emotion representing the diversity within China and its ethnic traditions.
The evening will feature five traditional Chinese instruments: the flute, erhu, pipa, dulcimer, and guzheng. Each instrument brings a unique tonal quality and emotional depth to the performances, offering the audience a glimpse into the soul of Chinese music. The combination of these instruments with the folk dances creates an immersive experience, transporting attendees to different regions and moments in Chinese history and culture.
A highlight of the musical program is a piece inspired by the serene and timeless beauty of Jiangnan water towns, a region in southern China known for picturesque waterways, misty rains, and tranquil homes. This performance evokes the peaceful life of the region, with images of calm, reflective waters and the delicate beauty of everyday life in Jiangnan. The piece has been performed at prestigious venues across the world, including the Shanghai APEC Summit and the Élysée Palace in France, where it received widespread acclaim.
In addition to the Beijing troupe’s performance, local students from Newton South High School will join the professional artists on stage for a special collaboration symbolizing the deep ties between the two communities and underscoring the gala’s broader theme of cultural exchange. For many of the students, this collaboration will represent the living, breathing connection between Newton and Beijing that have been nurtured through the exchange program for decades.
Dawning Ties is not just a fundraiser or a cultural celebration, but also an affirmation of the power of global relationships and educational partnerships. It demonstrates how shared experiences – whether through art, education, or personal connections – can transcend borders and create lasting bonds between communities. By celebrating the restart of the Newton-Beijing Jingshan Exchange Program, this event honors a legacy of cross-cultural understanding that has enriched the lives of countless students and families.
Dawning Ties: A Gala Celebration and Fall Fundraiser will begin at 6:30 PM on Saturday, September 21, at Newton North High School. Tickets are FREE — you just need to reserve your seating HERE. There are no physical/digital tickets, the registration form is just to reserve a spot. Donations are welcome to support the Jennifer Price Global Education Leadership Fund (GELF).