FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida—A diverse crowd came out this balmy Friday evening in Fort Lauderdale to the Au-Rene Theater, just one of the lovely theaters of the prestigious Broward Center for the Performing Arts, which skirts the verdant palm-tree lined banks of the dazzling New River.
The Broward Center is fondly referred to as the cultural “jewel in the crown” of Fort Lauderdale. It ranks 10th in the world in ticket sales for theaters. Broward Center consistently offers an exciting and eclectic array of artistic venues, of which Divine Performing Arts (DPA) is truly a one-of-a-kind contributor.
In its performances, DPA elaborates on and teaches about the enchantingly mystical qualities of the China of antiquity. Fort Lauderdale itself also has some mystical legends of its own. Revered by native American Indians, ancient folklore tells of how the New River somehow miraculously sprang forth through the cooperation of both swamp and ocean. All over town, homage is paid through use of the town’s original name, Himmarshee.
At Friday’s show, three or four members of a sixth-grade class who are learning Mandarin Chinese at a private school in Davie were treated to the DPA’s colorful, multi-faceted approach to learning about Chinese culture. They were accompanied by their families, and caught up with their teacher in the lobby afterward.
