The irony is inescapable, Kim Robards admitted - an American modern-dance company performing in communist China.

"It's a curious thing," the Denver choreographer observed of her troupe's upcoming appearances during the Beijing Olympics. "After all, what we as dancers express is freedom."

The China visit by the 11 members of Kim Robards Dance, one of only two American companies performing at the Booking Dance Festival, has exciting potential, Robards said. "It's one of the few opportunities in our history to reach people from around the world."

Still, getting there was hardly half the fun.

"It was a strict process," she said of the steps necessary to receive clearance from the Chinese government. "We had to send them DVDs and written summaries of each work that we'll be performing, along with detailed descriptions of the costuming, the makeup, everything."

And that was the easy part. The company, which completed its 21st season, has been busily beating the bushes for corporate and private sponsorship to defray the expected $50,000 in expenses.

As for the tiresome paperwork that comes with such a venture, that's already been completed by Jodi Kaplan, who arranges engagements for the troupe. Kaplan heads the New York-based BookingDance agency, which explains the peculiar title for the Beijing festival. It also underscores the fact that the shows at the Nine Theatres in China's largest city are completely independent of the Summer Games taking place not far away.

"I discovered that there are plenty of cultural events going on in Beijing the entire year," Kaplan said. "But they're all before and after the Games.

"When I was attending a national dance conference, I learned that there are 500 theaters in Beijing - and they're all dark (during the Olympics). So, I got a flash of an idea."

The plan was to send over three companies she represents (a number later reduced to two). They would share the bill with three Chinese dance troupes, creating an East-meets-West program that would honor the international flavor of the Olympics.

Just as the Games are meant to rise above politics, Kaplan intends that her Booking Dance Festival will "bridge political gaps through cultural connections," much the way the New York Philharmonic's recent North Korean visit chipped away at that country's self-imposed isolation.

As a gesture of good will, Kaplan said that any proceeds from the performances will be donated to Chinese earthquake victims.

She explained that Kim Robards Dance and the Salt Lake City- based Odyssey Dance Theatre were picked from her stable of 28 international troupes for specific reasons. "Kim's company has a very American, contemporary aesthetic, offering beautiful modern dance."

Odyssey includes hip-hop and funk in its repertory - styles that have become increasingly popular in China.

After Kaplan and Alison Friedman, her co-producer in Beijing, came up with the festival concept and selected the American dancers, they had to jump through numerous bureaucratic hoops to make it happen.

The planning and execution of the festival began in January - allowing precious little time to navigate the maze of Chinese agencies. Various permits were hastily requested and submitted, and every stumbling block was patiently overcome.

"I felt that we were climbing a hill a lot," Kaplan noted. "But I'm not a masochist. I'm an optimist."

Not that everything fell neatly into place. Plans for a post-Olympics mini-tour into China's rural regions had to be scrapped, though KRD has been invited to return to China for such a tour next year through the country's Gateway to Music program. And this year's brief visit will be packed with activities, anyway.

"I'll be giving master classes, working with professional dancers from there," Robards said. "I'll show them a phrase, and then let them create their own variations. That will be fun to watch, since they're so used to being told what to do."

In addition to performances and classes, the troupe will visit the Great Wall, the Olympic Garden and, time permitting, try and attend an Olympic event.

As for the shows, questions remain.

"We don't know who'll be in the audience at the (485-seat) theater," Robards said. It's hoped that Chinese dance fans, Olympic tourists and athletes will be in attendance.

And their reactions? "There's a lot of unknowing," said associate director LaRana Skalicky. "And that could make it interesting."

But then, the rewards go beyond mere applause.

"Kim will be breaking so many cultural boundaries," Skalicky noted. "Most Chinese probably think that dance is only for the young. Not so!" (Robards admits to being 54.)

The significance of the troupe's China visit has not escaped the company's directors. "We feel a sense of responsibility," Skalicky said. "We're representing dance, we're representing America."

No matter how things work out during the Aug. 10-19 visit, probably no one will forget the experience, said Robards.

"It's a calling. It's not just about the dance. We can learn about them, and they can learn about us."

Marc Shulgold is the music and dance writer. Shulgoldm@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5296

Booking Dance Festival Beijing 2008

* When: Aug. 14-16 at the Nine Theatres, Beijing

* Who: Companies include the Denver-based Kim Robards Dance, Odyssey Dance Theater, National Ballet of China, Beijing Modern Dance Company and TAO Studio.

* What: Robards' troupe will perform three of her pieces - Waves Against Sand, Scales and Cascades

* Additional shows: KRD also will appear at an Olympic outdoor stage on Aug. 17-18, performing Cascades and Kym Gym Megalomania

A Beijing Preview

* When and where: 7 p.m. Thursday at company studios, 3350 Walnut St.

* Cost: $12

* Information: 303-825-4847

* Of note: Kim Robards Dance will present excerpts from works to be performed this month in Beijing.