Chinese choreographer Shen Wei's style threads together the traditions of Chinese opera with contemporary approaches to both dance and vicsual art. His iconoclastic 90-minue dance-theater work 'Second Visit to the Empress' is inspired by a landmark 17th century Beiging opera which premiered at the Qing emperor's palace. Wei was trained in Chinese opera as a youngster, switched to modern dance in his 20s, and now in his late 30s is considered a provocative and ambitious choreographer, painter and designer who creates performances as visual as they are kinetic. Shen Wei Dance Arts performances are at 8 p.m. Sept. 28 and 29 and 4 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Power Center for the Performing Arts. These performances launch the University Musical Society's season, including its dance series, theater series, and its global/Asia season. The performance is presented in Chinese with English subtitles. Four Beijing Opera singers join 16 Chinese opera orchestra musicians and 12 Shen Wei dancers in the performances. For tickets, call 764-2538 or go to www.ums.org. (Photo by David Wainer)