SAN DIEGO - Some people say you have to travel to a tropical paradise to experience heaven on earth. You might hear a different opinion if you ask an audience member from Thursday's full house at the California Center for the Arts. From the convenience of their seats at the concert hall in Escondido, audience members had the chance to travel through time and space to distant realms of splendor.
It was the performance of 'Myths and Legends,' New Tang Dynasty Television's Chinese New Year Global Gala, where for one night audience members were invited "to believe."
The occasion commenced in grand fashion with Chairman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Bill Horn honoring NTDTV and the Chinese New Year Global Gala.
"Therefore be it proclaimed by myself, Bill Horn, Chairman of the Board and all members of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors on this ninth day of February 2006: We commend New Tang Dynasty Television for their outstanding service, leadership and commitment to the area residents, and hereby declare this day to be Chinese New Year Global Gala Day throughout the County of San Diego."
Vice Mayor Pia Harris-Ebert announced similar recognition on behalf of the City of San Marcos. Prior to the event, proclamations were issued by several cities in San Diego County, including San Diego, Escondido, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, Lemon Grove and Chula Vista. Proclamations were also issued by Representative (Calif.) Bob Filner and Assemblywoman Lori Saldana (CA-76). Congratulatory letters were written by U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, and Representatives (Calif.) Susan Davis, Bob Filner and Darrell Issa.
"I didn't realize there was so much involvement from the community," remarked audience member and law professor Michael Yu. "It shows that society really is becoming a melting pot."
Following the grand introduction, the evening's journey began as the curtain rose to reveal the legend of the "Divine Lantern."
The fifteenth day of the Chinese Lunar New Year is known as the Lantern Festival. Legend has it that on this day gods emerged to reveal the path to return to one's original, true self. Those who follow this path could ascend to the heavens.
Dressed in colorful, flowing costumes and emerging from a big lantern that descended from above the stage, dancers from the New Tang Dynasty Performing Arts Center lead audience members on a journey to a heavenly homeland.
The journey continued in the next act when audience members were lead to a realm where fairies danced while playing flutes decorated with wisping tassels. The gracefulness, vibrant colors and dynastic depictions left the audience spellbound.
"The performances reflecting the dynasty eras are the best," said Melanie Duong, an orthodontist from Rancho Bernardo. "These performances were brilliant."
The journey continued with an operatic dance performance about the legendary Mulan. The story of Mulan dates back to China's Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 C.E.). Legend has it that Mulan disguised herself as a man in order to take the place of her ailing, elderly father in the army.
In the following act, renowned erhu composer and performer Xiaochun Qi captivated the audience with an intense melody she composed entitled "A Vow." Following her performance, she received roaring applause.
"My favorite performance was the erhu," commented Duong. "It was very moving, emotional and powerful."
In addition to the erhu, two acts from the first half of the show that audience members were especially fond of were the uplifting fan dance entitled "Plum Blossom" and the tale of the "Nine Swords."
The plum blossom is the only flower to brave the bitter cold and bloom in the heart of winter. To the Chinese people, it is a symbol of courage and noble character, and serves as a reminder that spring isn't far away. In the "Plum Blossom portrayal, dancers from the New Tang Dynasty Performing Arts Center delightfully whisked open bright magenta fans while dancing amidst a backdrop of falling snow.
The legend of the "Nine Swords' concluded the first half of the show by depicting the tale of an evil red dragon that had come to destroy a harmonious land. Cultivators of the Truth armed with swords slayed the evil dragon, and restored peace and harmony to the people. At the act's dramatic climax, nine shining swords pointed at the large, slithering red dragon. The poignancy of the performance impressed audience members.
"The swords pointed at the red dragon was a very powerful moment," said Vickie Kuhn from San Diego during the intermission. "I can't wait for the second half."
The second half of the gala was as entertaining as the first with operatic dance performances such as "When the Lion's Eyes Turn Red" and "Blossoming of the Udumbara Flowers." Renowned tenor Guimin Guan captivated audience members with a self-composed piece entitled "Wishes," as well as his rendition of "The River Runs Red," a song written by Yue Fei (1103-1141) of China's Song Dynasty. Martial artists from San Diego's JING Institute of Chinese Martial Arts and Culture flew across the stage in acrobatic leaps wielding gleaming swords. Their performance showcased the rare arts of Long-Tassel Sword and Bagua Zhang.
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The eighth act of the second half and grand finale of the show was the powerful "Drums of Heaven," when giant Tang Dynasty drums thundered throughout the concert hall. Legend has it that there once were two emperors, one good and one evil. The good emperor invented a gigantic drum, and his soldiers brought many of them to the battlefield. The sound of the drums was so mighty that it forever drove the enemy away.
"Ever since my kids were small, we belonged to the Chinese Culture Society in Montreal. I have a familiarity with Asian culture and it is so rich because it extends so far back," said Heather Friedman, Executive Management Coordinator for Simic Fine Art Galleries in La Jolla. "The drums were fantastic."
All in all the NTDTV Chinese New Year Global Gala performance in San Diego was a magnificent occasion. Performances depicting the journey into the land of myths and legends are sure to stay with audience members until the event returns to San Diego next year.
"I loved the show from beginning to end. It was beautiful," said Siufong Evans, founder of the JING Institute of Chinese Martial Arts and Culture. "I loved the whole thing—the dances, the clothes, the lighting, the colors… How did they do that? It was just amazing."
The Epoch Times is proud to join with New Tang Dynasty T.V. and Sound of Hope Radio in co-sponsoring "Myths and Legends," NTDTV's Chinese New Year Global Gala. This article is one of a series meant to introduce this unique and important event.
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