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Is it possible that Asian and Western cultures could find a common language and thus share with one another the finest examples of their cultural heritage?
In the past, this was just a dream, but not anymore.
Holiday Wonders, a show to be staged on Broadway in Manhattan before Christmas, promises an unprecedented experience.

Through music and dance, the essence of traditional Chinese culture will harmonize with Western classics of the season in this celebration of holiday spirit.
Holiday Wonders is hosted by NTDTV, which introduced the highly- acclaimed Chinese New Year Gala in 2004. In fact, the 2006 Gala production was ranked among Billboard Magazine's Top 10 Shows.

This year, NTDTV is also launching the Holiday Wonders show which will play exclusively at the Beacon Theatre from December 19th through December 24th.
What makes the Holiday Wonders show so unique?
First of all, the essence of Chinese culture.

As in the previous Chinese New Year Gala productions, Holiday Wonders brings genuine Chinese culture to the audience. With an all-new line-up, the superb performances of dance and music will explore ancient myths and legends that express the soul of the 5,000-year-old Chinese culture.
Seondly, pure heart.

Giora Feidman, renowned for his clarinet solos in the film Schindler's List, will join the Holiday Wonders performers. Touched by the selflessness and harmony of the team of performers, Feidman noted this as "clean mind." As a matter of fact, from the costume preparation to the stunning projection screens, such pure heart is evidenced everywhere in this effort to bring the very best of culture and performance to the audience.

Thirdly, a Fusion of East and West. Humanity and genuine art transcend language and demographic barriers. The Holiday Wonders show is a celebration of this divine transcendence.

Through the essence of Chinese traditional culture and the classics of the Western holiday traditions, the show will bring a glow of happiness and tranquility to all, touching hearts and creating moments to be cherished.

It is believed that early variations of the game were played in Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Ancient Rome. Since then, the game has evolved, changed several names and spread to different parts of the world. It is currently a popular pastime all over the US, East Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

In order to play backgammon all you need is a partner, two dice and a special backgammon board with checkers. The backgammon board is divided into two sides with each one is the mirror reflection of the other. Each side contains 12 triangles called points numbered from 1 to 24.

Points 1 to 6: Home Board or Inner Board Points 7 to 12: Outer Board 7 point: Bar Point 13 point: Mid Point
At the starting position of the game, each player has 2 checkers on the 24 point, 3 checkers on the 8 point and 5 on the 13 and 6 point. Each player moves from his home board through the outer board towards the opponent home board.
The object of backgammon, then, is to move your checkers towards your opponent home board and remove them off the board before your opponent moves his checkers towards your home board.

The speed of the progress of each move is determined by the outcome of the dice roll.
The backgammon play begins with both players tossing one die. The player whose outcome is the highest, makes the first move using both his and his opponents number.

If the outcome of the dice toss is even, the players toss the dice again until an uneven outcome appears. From now on, each player tosses both dice on his turn.
After each toss of dice, you should move your checkers forward the number of steps appears on both dice.

You can move either one checker the number of steps summed up by both die or move two checkers. To make it clearer: if the outcome of the dice roll is 5 and 4, you can either move one checker 9 steps forward or move one checker 5 steps forward and then move the other piece 4 steps forward
If the dice rolls a double, which means an even number on both dice, you can move double the number appears on the dice. For example, if you roll double 2, you can move 2 points four times.

In that case, you can either move one checker 8 steps forward; move two checkers a total of 4 steps; move two checkers a total of 2 steps each plus a total of 4 steps; move one checker a total of 6 steps plus 2 steps; or move four checkers 2 steps.
You can move a checker to a point where there is another one of your checkers or no more than one checker of your opponent, called blot. When you hit a blot, it is moved to the middle of the board to the part divided between the home board and the outer boards, called the bar.