President and Founder: ‘Loved the message’

“I love the excellence of the dance and the cultural arts, but I loved the message,” Mrs. Brewer said.
President and Founder: ‘Loved the message’
Ms. Brewer, America’s Heroes of Freedom,[AHOF] president and founder. (NTDTV)
2/10/2009
Updated:
2/11/2009
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president and founder. (NTDTV)"] Ms. Brewer, America's Heroes of Freedom,[AHOF] president and founder. (NTDTV)

WASHINGTON D.C.—Ms. Brewer, America’s Heroes of Freedom,[AHOF] president and founder, and her colleague Ms. Mauer more than appreciated the Divine Performing Arts “beautiful” invitation-only debut at the Kennedy Center Opera House on Feb. 10, Especially since the show was given in honor of U.S Veterans, a cause deeply rooted in her heart and actions.

“I have to tell you, it was healing,” she expressed. AHOF has a mission to honor, heal, and give aid to those who serve to protect the freedom of America, such as the armed services, civil servants, emergency services and volunteers.

“I am so glad that we had our wounded military here tonight. What a beautiful expression to show our wounded military the peace and tranquility we all experienced tonight. It was beautiful... [The show] was very, very healing. It would be good for them.”

The mission of the Divine Performing Arts is to rediscover and renew a true ancient heritage, lost to the ravages of communistic rule. Inspired by legends and values of centuries-old Chinese culture, the show features highly acclaimed performers gorgeously costumed, spectacular backdrops, powerful drum rhythms and a live orchestra.

“I love the excellence of the dance and the cultural arts, but I loved the message,” Mrs. Brewer said. “... the message of peace I thought was very tranquil. I left with a deep sense of spiritual understanding and just ... the excellence that was done. The costumes were magnificent.”

Her grounding in performing arts began in ballet at age three, spending 17 years under the strict regime of a Russian dance teacher. In later years, she became a professional interior designer, so after many years in designing, she said, “I love the cultural arts, obviously. This was magnificent, I enjoyed it...It was a beautiful display of not only performance and excellence. I loved that it was showing unity and that when there is unity, there is power; when there is forgiveness, there is grace and mercy. I believe that it showed that in the most beautiful way.”

Mrs. Brewer clearly understood underlying messages the New York-based company masterfully conveys through story-based dance, song and music, that “design carries a message.”

“All of design is artistic, and it comes from your inner soul, if you’re enjoying it,” repeating, “it comes from your inner soul, and I see a real significance.”

One segment, Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution, bespeaks of a longstanding Chinese belief that good is rewarded and evil punished, and that spoke volumes for her. “I loved that we can learn from evil, that it’s not productive.”

The sketch depicts an innocent family’s suffering when the father is persecuted for practising Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline banned in China.

“So, to see where good prevails—all of us pursue that, we’re all mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, and I think that every one of us strives for that peace, and that’s what I loved. I loved that message.”

Mrs. Brewer was enthralled, wanting to pay others from her own coffers to see the show. “I would see it again, and I can’t say that of every production I’ve seen. But I would see it again, it’s beautiful.”

That’s been the overwhelming response to DPA shows everywhere they appear. It’s traditional Chinese culture as it was meant to be—a study in grace, fluidity, balance and inner strength.

From Ms. Brewer’s perspective, the DPA’s performance presented an ancient culture that reminded her of her own beliefs.

“I believe that it’s a culture reaching out to all the other cultures. It showed the purity and the traditions of many, many years ago. And I believe that it was very similar to what I believe in God and a higher power.”

“It was powerful. I felt like it was something that I could see again.”

Ms. Mauer, a director of a non profit organization for wounded military, felt that the “absolute elegance” of the performers was “just incredible” and that the show was “very tender, very touching.”

“It has this peaceful message to it. I believe that there is always healing when there is peace. If we settle our souls and our inner spirit, then the peace comes.”

“I think it was great for our wounded military to be here tonight because when you’re in the presence of peace and spirit of peace, your body is calm, and even medical science has proven that healing takes place when a body is at rest. So I believe it has a great message.”

Ms. Mauer shared that two of the young, recovering veterans she knows loved the show and thought it was “so peaceful.”

“There is a tranquility about this performance. There is a spirit of excellence in what the performers do. I think that’s what exuded into the audience tonight, that absolute feeling of—you know, I watched people around me and just everyone seemed to be very calm and very peaceful.”

As a world traveler who has seen shows in theatres across the globe, Ms. Mauer thought the DPA’s performance was “very different” from other shows.

“I’ve travelled and lived all over the world. I think we’re all searching for what we saw here tonight. This is a message of peace to me. I thought it was wonderful.”

The DPA’s show contained some poignant reminders for Ms. Mauer about her experiences of living under communism.

“I’ve lived in Europe when it was under communist control, when it was East and West Europe. There was much stress, much anxiety. It feels to me that we’re in that time again.”

“This shows the sides of good and evil. I believe that good always prevails. Our hearts go out to anyone who lives under Communism.”


The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts. Please see DivinePerformingArts.org for more information.

With reporting by NTDTV.

 

Diana Zhang, Ph.D., is a staff writer with 20 years’ experience in the study of China. Based in the United States, she uses a pen name to protect her family members in China.
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