HUNTSVILLE, Ala.—The Divine Performing Arts (DPA) 2009 World Tour opened to a full house at the Von Braun Center Concert Hall in Huntsville on Friday.
Among the appreciative audience, which was generous with its applause throughout the show, were two friends, Ms. Moreillon and Ms. Alonzo. Both are executives for the Red Cross but from different chapters.
“It was an experience beyond belief,” said Ms. Alonzo. ”You’re being entertained, but then suddenly you realize it’s more than that, so you’re naturally taking it in and feeling good about it and learning.”
Stories portrayed through classical Chinese dance are an integral part of the Divine Performing Arts show, which impressed Ms. Alonzo.
“I really liked the way that it started out, telling the stories, the stories of the past, and then it just kept going. If nothing else I learned about some Chinese beliefs and hope,” she said.
“If you have compassion, tolerance and a true belief, you know that all things are possible and hope is going to be there, and I don’t know if I knew that before I came to the show. It’s kind of enlightening to know that.”
New York-based DPA was founded by leading Chinese artists seeking to revive China’s traditional culture and present it to audiences around the world through Chinese classical dance and music.
“I absolutely loved the show,” said Ms. Moreillon, adding that she especially enjoyed “the elegance of it. I liked not only the color and everything, and the stories that were being told, but the intricate moves—how everybody was moving together.”
Along with the live orchestra that combines Chinese and Western music and instruments, the show also features accomplished solo singers and musicians. An innovative digital backdrop provides an animated setting for each dance.
“It’s nothing you'd expect before you come,” Ms. Moreillon said. “You’re expecting the show, but you’re really not expecting it to that detail or to that length.”
Ms. Alonzo appreciated the information provided by the announcers who introduced each performance.
“I liked the way they came out and told you about what you’re about to see next, what was the story and how it connected. So that made it very educational, but on an enlightening level I think.”
DPA takes it’s inspiration from 5,000 years of Chinese culture and has many ethnic Chinese dances and dances depicting Chinese myths and legends.
“One of the things I was glad to see in the show was the fact that they encompassed the Tibetan culture into it, because it is part of China’s history and also the fact the that they covered the entire country, north, south, east, and west,” said Ms. Moreillon.
“I think it was wonderful that they did that. I watched the performers and their costumes, the jewelry and everything, and it was perfection. It really was.”
Ms. Moreillon concluded by saying, “We really enjoyed it. It’s wonderful and I think everyone should see this. It’s a great history lesson.”
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts International Tour.
For more information, please see divineperformingarts.org
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