dance stars. It revolves around the life of a young man who seeks his fortune in Shanxi during the Tang Dynasty. Poison Dates includes a huge ensemble with over 200 dancers. It is franchised across China and has been received by soldout shows in over 100 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Taiyuan and Hong Kong. In early 2007, the show toured Japan and in December 2007 travelled to Taiwan. CCTV National Dance Competition, Season 4 (第四届CCTV电视舞蹈大奖赛) Zhang Jigang was a returning celebrity judge on China's most popular dance idol show. The program could be compared to that of the Idol series or Dancelife, with contestants vying to win a coveted prize in ballet, hip-hop, Latin, folk and Chinese classical dance. It was broadcast nationally every night from April 19 - 28th 2007 at 7:30pm on CCTV 3. Season 4 received the highest domestic ratings for the series ever, with an estimated national audience over 200 million viewers per episode. 2008 Beijing Opening Ceremonies On August 8, 2008, Zhang Jigang co-directed and choreographed the 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony in Beijing, China. Hein Verbruggen, chairman of the IOC Coordination Commission for the XXIX Olympiad, called the ceremony "a grand, unprecedented success." The AFP called it "a spectacular opening ceremony." The BBC and The Times concurred by calling it a dazzling and spectacular show in Beijing. Awards 1986 Third Annual National Dance Competition 3rd Award 1986 National Folk Singing and Dance Competition 1st Place of the Grand Prize 1987 National Wen Hua Award 1990 Tao Li Award 1992 20th Century Classical Dance 2002 The Wing of Life, Best International Production, Japan 2002 April Spring International, Best Choreography, North Korea 2003 Hollywood Star Award, Best Director See also 2008 Summer Olympics Zhang Yimou Bodhisattva Notes External links Thousand Hand Bodhisattva, captured in 2005 at the CCTV Spring Festival, on YouTube 1956 births Living people Chinese choreographers People from Jinzhong