SEATTLE—When the historic Paramount Theatre opened in 1928, its original name was the Seattle Theatre. Its classic Beaux Arts style and striking architecture earned it the name of the “most beautiful theater west of Chicago.”
On January 18 the Paramount Theater resounded with the sounds of Divine Performing Arts Chinese New Year Spectacular, welcoming the year of the Ox. The symbolism of the Year of the Ox is calmness, hard work and risk-aversion.
Mr. Gates, editor at a Seattle radio station, was in attendance at the show.
“The dancing was amazing,” he said. “It was like watching a bunch of butterflies floating around the stage. It’s colorful, and again so elegant. Every move, there is a reason for it, and it’s beautiful. The costumes were incredible. It’s just an explosion of color. And the singing of course was amazing as well.”
He added that a piece called Dance of the Yi “was like watching a flower blossom on stage and just blowing in the wind. It was just absolutely amazing.”
The show depicts myths and legends from ancient China, contrasting with stories from modern-day China where spiritual belief is persecuted. One such story, a piece that impressed Mr. Gates greatly, shows the father of a young girl being persecuted by the Chinese communist party for his belief in the spiritual practice of Falun Dafa.
“The movement is so beautiful,” he said. “There is such a calming strength to it. It’s just amazing to watch. So much power in the movement and it’s so elegant.”
He said he found the DPA production to be a learning experience.
“I don’t know that much about Chinese culture, so I learned a lot. It’s presented in a beautiful way. I learned a lot about ... almost like questioning things and being open, open to new ideas.”
Hope was also something Mr. Gates felt after seeing the show, which has over 100 dancers, vocalists and musicians.
“It’s two days before Obama is going to become the next president of the United States, and there’s talk about hope. And this represents hope to me. This is a synergy that is very similar to what is going on right now. It feels very appropriate to what is happening today.”
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts 2009 World Tour.
For more information, please see divineperformingarts.org
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