Students at West Hartford’s Norfeldt Elementary School were provided with the an entertaining and educational opportunity to see Chinese Acrobat Li Liu perform.

Chinese Acrobat Li Liu performs at Norfeldt Elementary School. Courtesy photo

By Ian Hall

Students at Norfeldt Elementary School were treated to a spectacular cultural and acrobatic experience on Thursday, Oct. 30, when world-renowned acrobat Li Liu brought her one-woman show to the school gym. The performance, sponsored by the Norfeldt PTO, combined breathtaking feats of balance and strength with lessons in Chinese culture and tradition.

Li Liu, who was born in Shenyang, China, began her acrobatic training at age 6 and went on to study at the prestigious Chinese National Circus School in Beijing. Over her decades-long career, she has earned international acclaim – winning a gold medal at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris and the “Golden Lion” prize at the Wu Qiao International Circus Festival. She has performed across Europe, Africa, and Asia, and toured with the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus after moving to the U.S. in 2000. Today, she continues to perform around the world and at NBA and WNBA halftime shows, on cruise lines, and in schools across the country.

Chinese Acrobat Li Liu performs at Norfeldt Elementary School. Courtesy photo

At Norfeldt, Liu performed two shows – one for grades K-2 and another for grades 3-5. Both took place in the school gym where students watched in awe as she demonstrated plate spinning, hand balancing, ribbon dancing, foot juggling, and riding a bicycle backwards while performing tricks. Throughout the performance, Liu shared stories about growing up and training in China, and she taught the students basic Chinese phrases and shared aspects of Chinese geography and culture.

Chinese Acrobat Li Liu performs at Norfeldt Elementary School. Courtesy photo

Between acts, students were invited to join in the fun – trying their hand at balancing plates on sticks and practicing graceful ribbon-dance movements. The gym buzzed with excitement as teachers helped guide the younger students as everyone cheered on.

Chinese Acrobat Li Liu performs at Norfeldt Elementary School. Courtesy photo

Students and staff praised the performance for blending entertainment with education. The school community left the day with memories of acrobatic feats, a determination to succeeded, and a greater appreciation for the world beyond West Hartford.

For more information about Li Liu and her performances, visit www.acrobat-liliu.com.

Chinese Acrobat Li Liu performs at Norfeldt Elementary School. Courtesy photo

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