The Peking Acrobats bring Chinese history and folk art to life on the stage of the Edmonds Center for the Arts for two shows Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

Since 1958, this elite group hailing from the People’s Republic of China has toured the world, presenting their graceful presentation of their ancient folk art, acrobatics. Carefully selected from the top acrobat schools in China, these gymnasts, jugglers, cyclists and tumblers transform 2000-year-old athletic disciplines into an entertaining show for all ages.

Since their Western debut in 1986, the Acrobats have redefined audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics. They perform daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs; they are experts at treacherous wire-walking, trick-cycling, precision tumbling, somersaulting, and gymnastics. Displays of contortion, flexibility, and control, juggling dexterity and balancing feats, showcase their skill and ability.

Rooted in centuries of Chinese history and folk art, records of acrobatic acts can be found as early as the Ch’in Dynasty (221 B.C. to 207 B.C.) and Chinese acrobats through the ages have continued to improve upon an ever evolving folk art form. Because of the unusual and difficult nature of the feats involved, high honor is conferred upon those skilled enough to become acrobats; an acrobat can be considered the Chinese equivalent of an American opera star.

The Peking Acrobats have made dozens of appearances in television and film, including setting the world record for the Human Chair Stack on Fox’s “Guiness Book Primetime TV” by balancing six people precariously atop six chairs 21 feet up in the air — without safety lines. The group has been featured in Steven Soderbergh’s film “Ocean’s 11” and recently released their very first DVD, recorded on their 2005 North American Tour.