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In celebration of Chinese New Year, which is ushering in the Year of the Snake, Xiaopei Chinese Dance will perform traditional music and dance from 2-3 p.m. today at the Pleasanton library.

The program will present solo, duet and group performances plus feature music performed on traditional Chinese instruments.

Xiaopei Chinese Dance was opened in Pleasanton with a dozen students on March 1, 2009, by Xiaopei He Gelb, a professional Chinese dancer who lives in Pleasanton. She won the Gold Medal at Japan's Saitama International Creative Dance Competition in 2003 and was the solo dancer selected to represent Chinese women at 2004's "Year of China in France."

The school, which has a second location in San Jose, has the mission of providing professional and authentic Chinese classic, folk and contemporary dance classes and programs. It also promotes Chinese culture through dance, with student ages ranging from 4 years old to adult. The school is planning to expand its offering with Latin ballroom for adults and also ballet classes in its South Bay studio.

Xiaopei Chinese Dance students perform at many community events and stage productions, including the special overseas edition of "The Same Song" concert, which is produced by China Central Television. Xiaopei's students also did well at the 2010 Sing Tao Chinese Dance competition and the Northern California Chinese Culture and Athletic Federation's 2010 International Martial Arts and Dance Invitational.

Today's show is free. The library is located at 400 Old Bernal Ave. Call 931-3400 or visit www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/services/library.

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