Area residents will have the opportunity to enjoy the longest running folk art form in history and benefit the Brian Brown Greenway Foundation when the Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats perform on the campus of UTM. The performance will be at 7 p.m., Nov. 8, in Skyhawk Arena in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center.

The Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats mix acrobatics, traditional dance, elaborate costumes and ancient and contemporary theatrical techniques in their performances.

A variety of acts include the Tower of Chairs, comedy, contortion, balancing, acrobatics, dance, juggling and tumbling. Frequent costume changes and authentic Chinese sound, lighting and visuals add to the performance.

The troupe has performed in all 50 states and more than 65 countries on five continents, including performances at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Germany's Elspe Festival, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Caesar's Palace in Atlantic City and the Seattle Children's Festival. The director of the troupe is Danny Chang, and the choreographer is Angela Chang.

The Brian Brown Memorial Greenway Project will link portions of Martin and the university using nature and recreational trails ideal for walkers, joggers and bike riders to enjoy. Brown, former assistant director of Student Life for Campus Recreation, was an advocate of a greenway throughout Martin. Cost of Phase I of the greenway project is estimated at $400,000. A grant application for federal funds totals $320,000, with a local match set at $80,000. The foundation has raised $33,000 via gifts and fund raising events since the project's inception last year.

An additional $20,000 has been applied to the match based on an in-kind contribution of work performed by the UT Martin Department of Engineering.

General admission tickets, sold in advance and at the door, are $10 for adults; and $5 for UT Martin students and children ages 2-12. Children under 2 will be admitted free. Reserved floor seating tickets are $15.

Tickets may be purchased at the Boling University Center information desk on campus and at Five Seasons Men's Store in Union City.

For more information, call 731-587 7000.

If you would like more information about the Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats, check out www.bladeagency.com.