WASHINGTON—The opening show at the nation’s capital welcomed in a packed house and ended with a standing ovation.
Divine Performing Arts (DPA) continued their world tour of classical Chinese dance and music with their performance at the Kennedy Center Opera House. A private showing was held on Feb. 10, beginning DPA’s stop in Washington D.C.
Fashion designer Ms. Bell attending the opening show and said that she was deeply inspired by the unique costumes. “It just opens your eyes and it really made me want to design with some of the colors I saw tonight. Beautiful,” she said.
The costumes used in the performance are DPA originals. The costumes are the products of months of meticulous work and have awed audiences the world over.
Ms. Black said that she would talk to other designers and tell them “they need to come see the show as well.”
“I think that would inspire them to put more color into their garments as well. I was excited,” she said. “The detailing in the designing, there’s a lot of handwork I can see in the garments.”
After seeing the show, Ms. Black said that she will also begin incorporating some of the show’s elements into her designs. “The next fashion show I’m going to have more color in it because when the light hits it, it makes the garment stand out more,” she said.
Ms. Turner commented on the show’s dance. “The movements, you really don’t even have to speak. But the movements they did told a story and I felt the colors and the movement. It inspired me,” she said.
DPA brings a culture of dance that has beginnings over 5,000 years ago. Incorporating flips, tumbles, and turns seamlessly with gentle hand gestures and movements, Classical Chinese dance allows dancers to express an array of characters and feelings. The dance performances done by DPA range from ancient Chinese stories to energetic drum dances, and to some of the more unique dances of various Chinese ethnic groups.
“I just felt the movement of when they were moving,” she said.
DPA currently has three performance companies touring around the world. The New York Company in D.C. will be performing from Feb. 10–15 before heading to their next stop in Frankfurt, Germany.
Please see DivinePerformingArts.org for more information.
