NEW YORK—The Divine Performing Arts Chinese New Year Splendor continued to garner praise as it graced the stage for a second night at New York's Radio City Music Hall Thursday.
Jerry Thundercloud McDonald and Jeannie, Native American performers from New York City, said it was the first time they had seen the Splendor and they were very impressed with the professionalism of the production.
"Really it was just ecstatic, really, really compassionate. For us to be here is very overwhelming, the culture, the tradition, everything about the whole show is just… I would like to come back see and it again, it was a really, really good show," said Thundercloud McDonald.
Jeannie agreed, saying it was sad that this show portraying traditional Chinese culture wasn't allowed to play in China.
"The saddest part for me was hearing that this cannot be performed in your native land. So we're very grateful that we were able to see it and experience it, we encourage you to continue, and thank you very much for sharing it with us. We can really relate to the messages of compassion and peace, strength and beauty. Very, very beautiful."
Divine Performing Arts says that in its productions it strives to revive the authentic traditional arts and culture of China from ancient times to the present day in which moral values and spiritual pursuits are highly emphasized.
Jeannie mentioned an act in the show that tells the story of a contemporary tragedy in China: the persecution of Falun Gong, a meditation practice and spiritual discipline currently being brutally suppressed by the Chinese regime.
"We as citizens always want to support something where people are being persecuted, so that justice is brought to the people… and we understand that with indigenous people it's a struggle, it's a hardship, and just to see it portrayed through music and dance kind of inspires us to want to do something similar to what you're doing here," said Jeannie.
Jeannie said she wasn't familiar with Chinese cultural traditions and the Splendor made a big impression on her.
"[Chinese culture] is absolutely beautiful, rich, and we're just…I'm speechless. I'm also very touched because it really hits home, because as indigenous people of this land, we have… our language, our music, our culture, our dances.
"So like I said before, we really encourage you to continue, and to be strong and to keep it going, that's what you should do, and we encourage you and support you 100 per cent. Thank you very much."
The Chinese New Year Splendor continues in New York through Saturday, Feb. 9. For other shows in the Divine Performing Arts world tour, please visit: www.DivinePerformingArts.org. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Chinese New Year Splendor.
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