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Chinese acrobats, Kaufman County hosts find plenty in common to share
By Marcus Funk: marcus_funk@terrelltribune.com
KAUFMAN - The smiling duo didn't need language - they understood each other just fine.
Young Taylar Terranova and Xin Yun Peng were too busy wrestling to care about language barriers or cultural differences, and their eyes glowed with intelligence and mutual care. They laughed and tickled each other until Taylar jumped off the couch and ran into the next room, Yun Peng hot on her heels. They giggled on their way past past Ke Chen and Alex Terranova, who were thoroughly engrossed in a game of Nintendo Wii tennis, and entered a study where a trio of male acrobats were checking their e-mail in Mandarin. A moment later, Taylar was back in the den - scooped up in the arms of a grinning Xujun, who carried her to a gleeful Yun Peng.
“The kids just love to play together. Sometimes there are lots of charades going on, but by the same token, they're smart - when one of them picks up a bike, they all understand,” said animal trainer Doug Terranova. “When they first walked in and saw each other, it was really nice.”
Terranova's home outside Kaufman has housed the Guanhua acrobatic team from Beijing since Wednesday. The groups have a long history together - Terranova's family and animals spent last summer at an amusement park in Wisconsin alongside the prominent gymnasts.
The group, and especially the children, became very close. So delight was universal when the Terranovas offered to host the acrobats during their impromptu stay in Dallas.
The circus performers arrived in Dallas nearly a week ago, but they spent two days in a homeless shelter after a scheduling mixup with their Wisconsin-based promoter. As soon as he discovered they were in town, Terranova said, he was happy to shelter his friends - but quickly learned they were not in the dire situation Dallas-based media had implied.
Guanhua acrobatic team coach Wen bin Gao, speaking through interpreter Jie Zheng, said the Union Gospel Mission was very comfortable and the group did not need local charity.
They are also not stranded in the United States - the group has both visas and a reservation on a return flight to China. Plans for future performances are in the works, she said, and the group could start touring again soon.
They have greatly enjoyed their time in Kaufman County, though, and Terranova said their impact has been incredible - they provide an opportunity to expose Kaufman County residents to a rich culture and foreign visitors get to learn about good, old-fashioned Texan generosity.
Acrobatics is a 2000-year-old art, Jie said. She asked Wen and the kids why they enjoyed performing so much, and watched as their eyes lit up and a detailed story flowed from the performers.
They poetically described their feats in Mandarin - ending with a burst of applause and a wide grin.
“They very much like performing. Not practicing, but performing,” Wen said through Jie. “It's an art form.”
Terranova said the group had expressed an interest in performing for Kaufman County residents, and the children had visited Scurry Elementary School to learn about Valentine's Day and American education. Alex Terranova said everyone learned a lot - especially about themselves.
“Well,” Alex said with a shrug and a smile. “We're all kids!”
Young Taylar Terranova and Xin Yun Peng were too busy wrestling to care about language barriers or cultural differences, and their eyes glowed with intelligence and mutual care. They laughed and tickled each other until Taylar jumped off the couch and ran into the next room, Yun Peng hot on her heels. They giggled on their way past past Ke Chen and Alex Terranova, who were thoroughly engrossed in a game of Nintendo Wii tennis, and entered a study where a trio of male acrobats were checking their e-mail in Mandarin. A moment later, Taylar was back in the den - scooped up in the arms of a grinning Xujun, who carried her to a gleeful Yun Peng.
“The kids just love to play together. Sometimes there are lots of charades going on, but by the same token, they're smart - when one of them picks up a bike, they all understand,” said animal trainer Doug Terranova. “When they first walked in and saw each other, it was really nice.”
Terranova's home outside Kaufman has housed the Guanhua acrobatic team from Beijing since Wednesday. The groups have a long history together - Terranova's family and animals spent last summer at an amusement park in Wisconsin alongside the prominent gymnasts.
The group, and especially the children, became very close. So delight was universal when the Terranovas offered to host the acrobats during their impromptu stay in Dallas.
The circus performers arrived in Dallas nearly a week ago, but they spent two days in a homeless shelter after a scheduling mixup with their Wisconsin-based promoter. As soon as he discovered they were in town, Terranova said, he was happy to shelter his friends - but quickly learned they were not in the dire situation Dallas-based media had implied.
Guanhua acrobatic team coach Wen bin Gao, speaking through interpreter Jie Zheng, said the Union Gospel Mission was very comfortable and the group did not need local charity.
They are also not stranded in the United States - the group has both visas and a reservation on a return flight to China. Plans for future performances are in the works, she said, and the group could start touring again soon.
They have greatly enjoyed their time in Kaufman County, though, and Terranova said their impact has been incredible - they provide an opportunity to expose Kaufman County residents to a rich culture and foreign visitors get to learn about good, old-fashioned Texan generosity.
Acrobatics is a 2000-year-old art, Jie said. She asked Wen and the kids why they enjoyed performing so much, and watched as their eyes lit up and a detailed story flowed from the performers.
They poetically described their feats in Mandarin - ending with a burst of applause and a wide grin.
“They very much like performing. Not practicing, but performing,” Wen said through Jie. “It's an art form.”
Terranova said the group had expressed an interest in performing for Kaufman County residents, and the children had visited Scurry Elementary School to learn about Valentine's Day and American education. Alex Terranova said everyone learned a lot - especially about themselves.
“Well,” Alex said with a shrug and a smile. “We're all kids!”
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