(Clearwisdom.net) The evening of December 19, 2008 marks the season opening of the Divine Performing Arts (DPA) world tour. Three touring groups-- the New York Company, the Touring Company and the International Company, will premiere in Philadelphia, Atlanta and Miami respectively, for a series of performances during Christmas and the Chinese New Year.
DPA's media spokesperson, Ms. Vina Lee said that the DPA will feature a brand new program that will give its audience an entirely new feeling. She emphasized that the performance will give audience members a sense of pure compassion and beauty that can cleanse and elevate their spirits. Ms. Lee explained that DPA emphasizes traditional culture, focusing on the true culture of mankind. It will present pure benevolence, pure beauty, propriety, and righteousness while placing emphasis on China's traditional cultural and moral values. The performance utilizes classical Chinese dance, folk dance, ethnic dance, and music as its vehicle.
According to Ms. Lee, DPA has put a lot of effort into intricate costume designs, the lighting, content, and the sound effects. The performances include three-dimensional digital backgrounds, including a surreal heavenly realm and a natural landscape with thousands of flowers blossoming. The live orchestra marries eastern and western instruments and features an original musical score.
For 141 days in 2008, DPA's New York Touring Company graced 66 cities, presenting 215 performances, reaching more than 600,000 audience members worldwide. Its performances have been met with critical acclaim, impressing people from all walks of life around the world. Each show was rewarded with long-lasting warm applause. The audience consistently had high praise for the shows.
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Left: Christine Walewska, renowned cellist, came to see the show again on December 21, 2007, after watching the first show on December 18. She praised the show as "out of this world," saying she couldn't watch enough of it. Middle: Renowned violist Eric Shumsky praised the music as pure and beautiful. He claimed the experience to be "an evening of performance never to forget!" |
In addition to its New York Company and Touring Company, DPA established an International Company and an additional orchestra. The three DPA companies and two orchestras will tour over 80 cities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Overall, there are about 30% more performances this season than last year's 215 performances.
DPA will break its record in 2009 in terms of the number of shows performed, the total amount of audience members who will see the show, and the length of the tour, Ms. Lee said. She added that the DPA continues to receive invitations worldwide and the number of scheduled performances is continuing to increase.
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Divine Performing Arts Orchestra |
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Merriam Theater in Philadelphia |
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Governor of Pennsylvania Edward G. Rendell |
Four DPA shows will be on stage in the Merriam Theater in Philadelphia, from December 19 to December 21. Governor of Pennsylvania Edward G. Rendell issued a letter of recognition to Divine Performing Arts. His letter of greeting said, "It is with great pleasure that I welcome all of you to the presentation of the Divine Performing Arts 2009 World Tour at the Merriam Theater in Philadelphia. The rich cultural fabric of our commonwealth has been woven from an array of artistic and cultural influences from around the world. This vibrant diversity is maintained and glorified through our freedom of expression and the sense of pride we all hold for our individual heritage."
Philadelphia City Council President and members also sent greetings to the organizers and arts group, wishing the DPA show a great success and hoping that traditional Chinese culture can be more widely spread.
Anther branch of the DPA will stage three shows in the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta on December 19 and December 20.
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Political VIPs in Georgia State wish the DPA opening great success. |
On the eve of the DPA shows, the presenters of the show, the New Times Cultural and Education Center and the Southeast United States Falun Dafa Association received congratulatory letters from political VIPs in Georgia, including Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Senator Johnny Isakson, Senator Saxby Chambliss, Congressman Hank Johnson, Congressman John Lewis, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and the President and CEO of the King Center, Isaac Newton Farris, Jr.
Lt. Governor said in his letter of greeting, "The remarkable history and traditions associated with the Chinese New Year are impressive, and I certainly appreciate the positive impact that Chinese culture, business, and technology has made on our state. We are very proud of the relationship that Georgia has with the Chinese community, and I look forward to what we can accomplish together in the future."
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Senator Johnny Isakson |
Senator Isakson said in his letter, "This spectacular event will be enjoyed by thousands of people from around our country, and will be an opportunity for Georgia's citizens to enjoy the culture of China and learn more about the traditions of this beautiful country. The citizens of Georgia are most fortunate to have the Divine Performing Arts include our state in their tour of the United States. I am sure it will be exciting and wondrous and enjoyed by all in attendance."
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Senator Saxby Chambliss |
Senator Chambliss said in his congratulatory letter, "The Chinese New Year is a vibrant celebration of family, culture, and heritage. New Tang Dynasty Television's Chinese New Year Spectacular does an exceptional job of sharing the festivities and traditions with millions of people. This beautiful display of diversity is important to fostering the multicultural understanding and appreciation that makes America the great country it is."
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Congressman Hank Johnson |
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Mayor of Atlanta Shirley Franklin |
Divine Performing Arts will give three shows at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale around Christmas, the golden season in this city known as the "Venice of America".
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Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale |
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Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle |
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle and the City Council recognized Divine Performing Arts, and announced December 19 and 20 as Divine Performing Arts Days.
Mr. Naugle issued a letter to welcome Divine Performing Arts last Christmas when DPA brought its show to Fort Lauderdale the first time. He received a letter from the Chinese Consulate in Houston, Texas warning the mayor not to send congratulatory greetings to or attend the Holiday Wonders show, or else face possible damages to the mayor's reputation. Mr. Naugle still issued the recognition and gave a speech at the opening reception. Though he originally planned to only attend the reception, he changed his mind and stayed to watch the show because of the letter.
