American audiences are bracing the cold and stepping out for an unusual cultural experience – a performance of music, song and dance based on traditional Chinese culture.
The Divine Performing Arts (DPA), a New York based performance company, has been drawing packed houses since it commenced its North American tour in late December last year.
It has played in over 30 cities in the US including four shows in New York’s Radio City Music Hall, and six days at the Kennedy Performing Arts Centre in Washington where people queued for standing room only.
The performance group is unique in that it is largely comprised of expatriate mainland Chinese or those of Chinese origin, who have come together over a shared interest in reviving traditional Chinese performance arts.
Some of the performances tell stories from ancient China handed down from generation to generation; others reflect the ethnic mix that has influenced China over its 5000 year history. Still others go deeper into the spiritual beliefs that are the foundation of traditional Chinese culture.
A number of China’s top classical performers are part of the group, including one of the mainland’s most celebrated tenors, Guan Guamin. There are also professional, opera singers, dancers, choreographers and classical musicians.
