HUNTSVILLE, Ala.—Loud applause showered the Divine Performing Arts 2009 World Tour throughout the presentation held on February 6 at the Von Braun Center Concert Hall in Huntsville. Furthermore, in bringing the performance to an end, the appreciative audience gave the New York-based company a standing ovation.
Among them was a board director of the Community Ballet Association, Ms. May who thought the show was “beautiful.”
“It’s a wonderful mix of performing arts and the visual arts—both, because not only is there so much to look at, but the performers are wonderful also,” she said. “And, I like the way they combine the new technology of the animation with the world dance—it’s just a wonderful combination. I’ve never seen that done before. ... it’s so colorful and dramatic—it’s very beautiful.”
High tech backdrops conjure celestial palaces and pastoral vistas, in a performance that brings alive 5000 years of history in classical Chinese dance, song, music and story-based dance, from old legends to modern day stories.
“Yes, it’s a wonderful history lesson, to learn about how old the culture of China is—5000 years of heritage. It’s very interesting.”
China’s vast region is home to dozens of ethnic groups and folk traditions, each with its own unique colorful dance technique and music. Ms. May couldn’t really decide which piece she most enjoyed but Welcoming Spring, a segment that ushers in a new season after suffering a cold, harsh winter, was a favorite. Quick movements and stunning bursts of color form the basis of the women’s fan dance. Thunderous drumming sequences also rated highly.
“I think, visually, my favorite was the springtime with the flowers—it was very beautiful ... but, the drummers were amazing—the last number with the drummers ... they were all wonderful! For me, it was just visually beautiful—the colors and the dancers were so well rehearsed and the costuming ... making it appear that the spring flowers were opening ... it was very beautiful.”
Without hesitation, Ms. May said she would be back again next year.
“I think they’re doing a wonderful job to share their culture, and I think it’s good for countries to understand each other and their backgrounds. It’s good for the children to see something from other lands—makes them appreciate ... they’re so very well rehearsed and disciplined ... well, you know, it takes a lot of hard work and rehearsing to have that much synchronicity, you know, where they’re all together ... and, so, there’s a lot of perfection—[the dancers are] very well trained and very hard workers, I’m sure.”
That’s been the overwhelming response to Divine Performing Arts’ shows thus far, traditional Chinese culture as it was meant to be—a study in grace, fluidity, balance, and inner strength.
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