MINNEAPOLIS—The Divine Performing Arts (DPA) graced the stage at Northrop Memorial Auditorium on the campus of the University of Minnesota. Theatre goers braved the cold weather to attend the inspirational performance which has been astounding and delighting audiences since the beginning of the 2009 world tour.
Dr. Kirk Allison, the Director of Human Rights and Health at the University of Minnesota was impressed with the show from the moment the curtain opened. He considered the show beautiful, the costumes tremendous and the dancing wonderful.
“I think the line of the information of the cultural aspects is helpful, and particularly the motivation behind the dances—all of them are beautiful and impressive; but I think it’s very good to also have the more serious pieces a part of it. Including the section on the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners—that’s very important in terms of people understanding what’s taking place in China today,” he said.
Falun Gong is a peaceful meditation practice which is founded on the principles of Truth, Compassion, Forbearance. The communist regime began the persecution of this practice in July 1999, and it is ongoing today.
“I’m not so much involved in the Falun Gong ... but I’ve been involved in the issues of the human rights of Falun Gong practitioners.” Dr. Allison added, “I myself am not a Falun Gong practitioner—I’m an Eastern Orthodox Christian.
“But the importance of the right of persons to pursue truth and freedom without persecution is absolutely paramount to a good society. The kind of virtues and practical virtues that are being promoted by Falun Gong are the kind of things that would benefit China very greatly.”
Dr. Allison also talked about the artistic aspects of the show that he particularly liked, “The dancing is wonderful and the choreography is great—the person who has designed the costumes, or the many people who have designed the costumes have done a wonderful job. I love color and the flow of color and movement in the dances are really tremendous.”
When asked what aspect of the show he regarded the best Dr. Allison thought it a difficult question to answer. “They are all very beautiful in their own ways—I did love the sleeve dance [Flowing Sleeves] ... also the reproducing, the blooming [Udumbara’s Bloom], was very great and very lovely”
Flowing Sleeves is a dance ensemble which showcases the beauty and elegance of the women of the Tang Dynasty, and the subtlity of grace, expression and movement they embodied.
The Udumbara’s Bloom is a piece which presents the story of the legendary Udumbara flower of Buddhist lore which blossoms but once every three thousand years. Rich with spiritual import, its unfolding is said to herald the coming of a great sage or enlightened being. True to the legend’s origins, these bejeweled dancers take inspiration from the Buddhist Dunhuang caves of Western China.
“It will be very easy to (enjoy the second half). I wasn’t here last year—the orchestra is really wonderful to hear—it adds a great dimension to have the live music and I heard that last year, it was very tremendous—but to hear the particular instruments is very wonderful.”
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts.
For more information on locations and times please see: DivinePerformingArts.org
