With its red face and pink and orange wings, the crested ibis has long been appreciated for its beautiful appearance and as a symbol of good luck. The bird itself though has not been so lucky. Starting in the 1970s, urbanization has pushed the species to the brink of extinction.

    The striking bird’s story is now the subject of a dance drama entitled “Crested Ibises,” which is coming to Shenzhen this weekend. Presented by Shanghai Dance Theater, “Crested Ibises” is an outstanding artistic creation based on the true story of the protection of this endangered species. The show combines traditional Chinese dance with classic ballet and modern dance, with the metaphor presented in the story of harmonious coexistence between human and nature, inspiring people to cherish the crested ibis, nature, and the earth.

    The show’s creator, Chen Feihua, was inspired by videos of the crested ibis shown at the Japan Pavilion during the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010.

    At the beginning of the show, man coexists peacefully with the ibis in a lush natural environment. Later, the bird is shown succumbing to the forces of urbanization.

    Pulling off dance moves based on the crested ibis was not easy. Many of the show’s moves involve unfamiliar gestures and poses, such as exaggerated forearm movements meant to represent the bird’s natural movements. “This is the first time the crested ibis has been depicted in dance, so we had no available models to learn from. We had to make things distinctive. The crested ibis is not dazzling like the peacock and does not have the wide wingspan of the swan. Fragility and sensitivity are the soul of the crested ibis,” said dancer Zhu Jiejing.

    Time: 8 p.m., Dec. 23-24

    Tickets: 180-1,080 yuan

    Booking: 400-185-8666

    Venue: Nanshan Cultural and Sports Center, 2106 Nanshan Boulevard, Nanshan District (南山区南山大道2106号南山文体中心)

    Metro: Line 1, Taoyuan Station (桃园站), Exit B(SD News)