SEATTLE—Mrs. Friedlander, head of a non-profit organization group for the advancement of visual arts, and her friends were among the audience of The Divine Performing Arts (DPA) International Company Chinese New Year Spectacular performing at Seattle’s majestic Paramount Theatre on Sunday Jan. 18.
Mrs. Friedlander did post-graduate studies in art history and was a founding trustee of a local chamber Orchestra. Among many other things, she now heads an art foundation which, through various programs, encourages artists and writers to pursue and discover new ideas and create new work, thus nurturing creativity and developing artistic excellence.
When asked what she thought of the show, Mrs. Friedlander replied, “I thought it was wonderful, it was really fabulous.”
She was very impressed with all facets of the performances saying, “The screening in the background and the backdrops ... it was very sophisticated the way the images came out of the screen and integrated with the performance.”
“The costumes were fabulous, they couldn’t have been better.”
Commenting on the live orchestra, Mrs. Friedlander said, “We were close and we heard them well. I thought it was very special because it was very elaborate. It was very elaborate as it took you away from the ordinary.
“It made me feel good.”
Mrs. Friedlander felt there was a inspirational message throughout the performances and explained, “I think it had a message and I can’t say what it was … but meditation, and I meditate, and the elevation of individuals.”
“I think it is very uplifting and very inspirational. As the program developed it was more meaningful ... the first part was very flamboyant and colorful. The story developed and the spiritual content developed.”
“I learnt some Chinese, ‘ni hao’ [hello] and I’m trying to learn to say happy new year [xin nian hao],” she said.
This was the second of two performances of the DPA International Company in Seattle. It will head to Portland on Jan. 20 for the next leg of its 2009 World Tour.
For more information, please see DivinePerformingArts.org
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