'Spectacular' Brings Out Pride in Chinese Heritage

The acclaimed New York-based Divine Performing Arts Company presented two stunning performances at Ottawa's National Arts Centre on Sunday and Monday, January 13 and 14.

The dance company's Chinese New Year Spectacular , featuring Chinese classical dance and music, received a standing ovation and accolades from many in the audience, which included a healthy smattering of VIPs.

But the Chinese audience members were particularly impressed, and for them, the Spectacular generated heartfelt pride in their Chinese heritage.

Mr. Xu, who has a doctoral degree and does research work for the government and who attended the 2007 show in Ottawa, noted the "great uniqueness and nobleness" of the Spectacular .

"It expresses through dance humankind's most cherished realm of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance, as well as the purity, propriety, and calm of traditional Chinese moral excellence," Mr. Xu said.

Another audience member, Mr. Hao, said the quality of compassion is powerful in the show, and in addition to the feelings of power and strength, the dances brought a sense of peace.

The audience enjoys the Chinese New Year Spectacular at Ottawa's National Arts Centre. (The Epoch Times)

"The Mongolian dances are very powerful, and the drumming very inspiring," he said. "Often the quality of forbearance gives people the impression of being 'soft,' but I saw the strength of forbearance from those dances."

Divine Performing Arts expresses both the classical masculine and feminine qualities fundamental to the traditional moral culture of China, Mr. Xu added. One dance in particular portrayed traditional feminine beauty and gentleness, while the drumming performances displayed the traditional masculine traits of resolute power and strength, he said.

"What the performers express is all from deep within their heart. You can see that they are performing from their heart, not merely doing an ordinary performance that is focused only on technique," Mr. Xu added.

It was the first time Mr. Rui and his wife have seen the show. Mr. Rui, a senior software engineer, said he did not expect that the Spectacular would be so "splendid."

"After living in the West for so many years, this is the first time I've watched such an exquisite performance of the true, traditional Chinese art and culture,"' he said. "The techniques, costumes, orchestra, and backdrops are all first class. Excellent!"

"I was moved by every performance," said Mr. Ren, who owns a Chinese restaurant. He added that he was moved to tears by the performance depicting the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese communist regime.

"In Canada we have freedom and dignity, but our fellow Chinese people in mainland China do not enjoy basic human rights. We, the overseas Chinese, should help and fight for them," Mr. Ren said.

Many of Mr. Xu's family members, friends, and coworkers have also seen the Divine Performing Arts shows both last year and this year.

From watching the show, Mr. Xu said that one can truly recognize the cultural depth brought to the audience by the beautiful dances that encompass the flair and characteristics of China's various ethnic cultures.

"Divine inspiration and expression are the most important part of ancient Chinese culture," he said.

As Canada is a multicultural society, with many different cultures coexisting in harmony, the divinely inspired culture of China also makes a tremendous contribution, he said.

"The Divine Performing Arts Company's being able to promote the authentic Chinese art and culture makes those of us Chinese people living overseas feel a great pride," Mr. Zhang, who also attended the Spectacular , told reporters.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts shows that will perform in over 60 cities worldwide in 2008. To find a show near you, please visit www.bestchineseshows.com.