Chinese New Year Spectacular Brings Back True Culture, Says Former Canadaian Diplomat

By Rahul Vaidyanath, Epoch Times Ottawa Staff, Jan 15, 2008-

Brian McAdam, a former diplomat who has much experience and insight on Asia, attended Sunday’s Chinese New Year Spectacular at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa with his wife, Marie.

They attended last year’s show as well, and were just as impressed this time around.

“I loved the beauty of all the dancers, and of course, the costumes are extraordinary. I really enjoyed the drums, they were so dramatic, synchronized beyond belief, incredible,” said McAdam.

Professor Paul J. Davidson’s comments echoed that of the McAdams as well as the many VIPs in attendance on Sunday night.

“It’s an excellent show; it has a lot of values to it. I found it very enjoyable. It shows a lot of positive things for people to think about,” said Davidson, professor in the Department of Law at Carleton University and the chair of the Committee on Asian Studies.

The Spectacular features a combination of Western and Chinese musical instruments in a live orchestra. A digital background screen displayed the lyrics in English and French.

Culture Cannot Be Suppressed

The  Chinese New Year Spectacular portrays traditional Chinese culture through song, dance, and storytelling.

McAdam is well aware of the destruction of the Chinese culture, having lived in Hong Kong in 1968 when the Cultural Revolution was just beginning.

“Of course, the Cultural Revolution was an attempt to destroy the old culture. They were trying to destroy a culture that was almost 5,000 years old, and I thought they could never do that.”

“The communists tried to take the arts and the crafts and the music and the dance of the old culture and tried to impose their [will]. It was basically a cultural death,” he said.

MacAdam discussed how the situation in China relates to the types of suppression that have been seen in other countries and why the  Chinese New Year Spectacular is so special.

“Nazi Germany turned out to be a death cult. The Soviet Union tried the same thing. They tried to destroy what the Russian culture was all about. Unfortunately these tyrants survived for decades, but ultimately this human spirit brings back the true culture of the society. It’s marvelous to see again.”

Despite efforts to interfere with the show’s success by the Chinese communist regime each year through its embassies and consulates, the Spectacular continues to grow and thrive.

“They don’t want the show to have success because, again, they are a death cult. That’s what they are and they don’t want to have people realize there’s another way of living.” By the end of its global tour, an expected 650,000 people in over 60 cities will have seen the performances by Divine Performing Arts.

- Source: the epochtime

Ottawa ‘Lucky’ to Host ‘Chinese Spectacular’, Says Canadian Minister

By Cindy Chan, Epoch Times Ottawa Staff, Jan 13, 2008-

OTTAWA—The nation’s capital was treated to an impressive helping of traditional Chinese culture with the Canadian debut of New Tang Dynasty Television’s Chinese New Year Spectacular at the National Arts Centre tonight.

Canadian Environment Minister John Baird ( photo at right)  came to the pre-show VIP reception, attended by more than 100 guests, including government officials and representatives, show sponsors and leaders from the business, artistic, university, and Chinese communities.

Addressing the reception, Baird said, “I don’t think we realize how lucky we are, in the Ottawa area, in the National Capital Region, to have the performance stop here.”

Divine Performing Arts, the New York-based company presenting the show, says that beyond the aesthetics it tries to convey the traditional moral values and the true culture of China.

The show will tour over 60 cities on four continents, with stops in five other Canadian cities to follow the Canadian premiere in Ottawa.

Baird said the show presents “a very different perspective of China and the values that are at the root of a lot of Chinese civilization, which is exciting culturally and intellectually.”

“It’s certainly an exciting show, and like all cultural performances it has a great message in it. The music, the dancing, the stories behind it are amazing.”

“It’s a great performance,” he said.

Every year the Chinese communist regime attempts to interfere with the show. Last year the Chinese embassy in Ottawa went so far as to issue a statement saying it disapproved of “the participation in the ‘New Year Spectacular’ by the officials of any country in any form.” The embassy and consulates also made a great deal of publicity efforts to urge the public not to attend.

Over the last two months several U.S. officials have made public letters from Chinese consulates in the U.S. warning them not to attend the shows or to provide support or congratulatory greetings in any form.

“I didn’t receive a letter myself, but I was here last year and I am very happy to be here again this year,” said Baird.

Canada’s Governor General Michaëlle Jean sent a greeting letter, as did Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

“I have no doubt that audiences will delight in the exceptional showcase of colourful, handmade costumes, brilliant choreography and outstanding musical compositions,” said Harper in his congratulatory message.

Over ten other greetings were received from other Canadian government officials, including Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day, Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley, Minister of State and Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity) Jason Kenney, Chair of the Conservative Caucus Rahim Jaffer, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David Onley, and Ottawa Mayor Larry O’Brien.

Baird wished all Chinese Canadians “a Happy New Year and the very best for health and prosperity over the next year.”

 The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts shows that will perform in over 60 cities worldwide in 2008. To find a show near you, please visit www.bestchineseshows.com.

Source: the epochtimes 

‘Chinese New Year Spectacular’ Aptly Named, Says Company Director

By Rahul Vaidyanath, Epoch Times Ottawa Staff, Jan 13, 2008-

OTTAWA—The Chinese New Year Spectacular drew a sold-out crowd of 2,100 at the National Arts Centre, Ottawa’s premier theatre, on Sunday night in the first of 20 Canadian shows.

Among those who attended the Spectacular was Mary Jo Lynch, the director of Carleton International. That office links Ottawa’s Carleton University with the outside world through collaborative research and other projects carried out in many regions. It seeks to advance public awareness and understanding of global issues.

Lynch had previously seen Chinese Opera but this was the first time she had seen the Spectacular. “I think it is aptly named — it is spectacular, ” she said during the intermission.

“I really like the Mongolian bowl dancers. I thought that was absolutely beautiful . . . incredible grace and balance.”

Martha MacCaull, who works in sales in Ottawa, was attending her first Chinese cultural show and really enjoyed the soloists. “It was fabulous and the costumes were amazing, just everything . . . the dancing . . . it was just tremendous.”

“The themes throughout the performance of compassion, kindness and freedom were very powerful,” added MacCaull.

Lynch shared her thoughts about the spirit of the show and the importance of culture and history.

“The fact that culture and history are so important and that’s what really links people together in spite of differences and turmoil.”

The combination of a classical western orchestra augmented with Chinese instruments is an important characteristic of the music of the Chinese New Year Spectacular , which is presented by the New York-based Divine Performing Arts Touring Company.

“The music is beautiful,” said Lynch. “What I noticed most was the oriental influence but you’re seeing it in context. It is really well done.”

“The traditional Chinese instruments definitely came through,” said MacCaull.

“I was born in the East and raised in Canada, I think they portrayed it [Chinese music] very well,” said Anna Hum, who also attended the show. “Definitely I would come and see it again.”

Divine Performing Arts is based outside of China even though many of its artists received training in China. The artists in the show believe that being outside the Chinese communist regime’s influence allows for more creative freedom, leading to more pure and wholesome performance.

“The performance came across as free of any influences for sure, definitely,” said MacCaull. “I would see it again and recommend it to all of my friends.”

“Certainly, I would recommend it to people. I did hear many people at the reception say they’d come before and once you’ve done that, you want to come back…I’d like to see it again,” said Lynch.

After a second show in Ottawa on Monday, the Spectacular will move to Montreal and Toronto before continuing its world tour, which includes a 15-show run at New York’s famed Radio City Music Hall.

In all, the Spectacular will stage 220 shows in 65 cities, reaching a total live audience of about 650,000. The world-class tour will span five continents—Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America.

The show will return to Canada in the spring, when it will play in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

- Source: the Epochtimes

Renowned Canadian Artist Gives ‘Spectacular’ High Praise

By Diana Hubert, Epoch Times Staff, Jan 13, 2008-

OTTAWA—Through its series of Spectacular shows, the Divine Performing Arts Touring Company has promised to entertain and educate its audiences in traditional Chinese culture by incorporating important values and meaningful messages into its performances.

Acclaimed Ottawa artist Audrey Churgin attended the Chinese New Year Spectacular at the National Arts Centre on Sunday night. She had high praise for the New York-based company’s skillful rendition of traditional culture.

“It’s wonderful! I’m absolutely blown away by the costumes, the colours, the dance; it’s such a treat to see of all the richness of the culture on stage.”

Churgin has taught at the Ottawa School of Art for over 20 years and is the executive director for MASC, an arts education organization. She is also a visual and sound artist whose extensive resume includes solo exhibitions in major cities across Canada and the U.S.

Churgin’s works, which range from oil paintings to audio productions, are produced with the collaboration of young children, thus creating a unique approach to her art.

“When I watched the dancers float across the stage it reminded me of so many overlays from different cultures interfacing with each other. There’s a strong interaction of cultures. There’s something very beautiful about it,” said Churgin.

Wherever the Spectacular plays, audiences have been captivated and touched by the show’s message of purity and goodness. China’s long history has given birth to a rich culture - a culture that has been important in passing down important values to countless generations.

“It was like theatre that is meant to keep you aware that you’re having an aesthetic experience all the time that you’re there and learn from it. It’s a fabulous show.”

The Ottawa performance, the first of 20 shows in Canada, played to a full house. The Spectacular will go on to play in Montreal and Toronto, before embarking on the European leg of its world tour, which includes a run at New York’s famed Radio City Music Hall.

“There are different barriers that we all have in our understandings of each other’s cultures,” said Churgin. “The opportunity to share in the vision and the understanding of other people is very strong.”

Since 2004, the Divine Performing Arts has been reclaiming China’s ancient traditions by staging the Chinese Spectacular in some of the world’s most prestigious venues. By the end of its tour, the show will have played to a total live audience of over 650,000 in more than 60 cities.

When it returns to Canada in the spring, the Spectacular will play in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts shows that will perform in over 60 cities worldwide in 2008. To find a show near you, please visit www.bestchineseshows.com.

- Source:   The Epoch Times

City Name List for the Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular Worldwide Tour 2008

Click the city name below for more detail information of the biggest Chinese culture event– global tour show 2008 of Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular in your city.

North America

US:
Atlanta, GA
Atlantic City, NJ
Baltimore, MD
Boston, MA
Charlotte, NC
Chicago, IL Fri. Jan 25~Sat. Jan 26, 2008
Dallas, TX
Denver, CO
Detroit, MI Tue. Jan 22, 2008
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Greensboro, NC
Honolulu, HI
Las Vegas, NV Mon. Jan 21, 2008
Los Angeles, CA Fri. Jan 18~ Sun. Jan 20, 2008
Minneapolis, MN Thu. Jan 24, 2008
New York City: NTDTV Chinese New Year Splendor, Wed. Jan 30 ~ Sat. Feb.9, 2008
Philadelphia, PA
Phoenix, AZ
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA Wed. Jan 23~ Sat. Jan 26, 2008
Schenectady, NY
Seattle, WA
St. Petersburg, FL

Canada:
Calgary,
Edmonton
Montreal
Ottawa
Toronto, Fri. Jan 18~ Sun. Jan 20, 2008
Vancouver

Asia - Pacific
Japan: Nagoya Osaka Tokyo

Korea:Pusan Seoul

Taiwan:Kaohsiung Taichung Tainan Taipei

Singapore:Singapore

Indonesia:Jakarta

Australia:

Adelaide Brisbane Canberra Melbourne Sydney

New Zealand:
Auckland

Europe
Germany:Berlin Duisburg Frankfurt Hamburg
Holland:Den Haag
United Kingdom:London
Belgium:Antwerpen
France:Paris
Austria:Vienna
Slovakia:Bratislava
Czech:Prague
Sweden:Linkoping Stockholm
Italy:Milan

- Source: http://www.bestchineseshows.com/

Related:
- 2008 Show Coming: Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular in Vancouver (video)

Vancouver Sun: Year of Pig offers performance feast

Lloyd Dykk, Vancouver Sun, Tuesday, January 02, 2007-

CHINESE NEW YEAR SPECTACULAR

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Wednesday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

$30 - $80

604-628-0303 (Chinese)

604-628-1620 (English) or 604-280-4444 (Ticketmaster)

- - -

According to the Chinese calendar it is the Year of the Pig coming up, which signifies good fortune, kindness, honesty and tolerance. And you may want to feast on the entertainment of the second annual Chinese New Year Spectacular when it comes to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for two shows Wednesday.

It sounds like the sort of extravaganza you’d normally see just a few blocks away at the Centre for Performing Arts in Vancouver: A celebration of what’s known as China’s golden age, the Tang Dynasty, a remarkable time in China’s 5,000-year history.

The three-century-long Tang, with present-day Xi’an as its then most populous city in the world, reached a high point of cosmopolitan culture and prosperity, largely the result of military exploits. From this show, purportedly based on the Tang, you can expect epic tales, dragons, drummers and beautiful dances from about 100 young performers in all, most of them overseas Chinese who live in New York. But it might be a good idea to try to see the Tang through a 21st-century filter.

In its four years of existence the show seems to have been a success, growing from appearances in five cities at its beginning to this year’s 28 cities across four continents, a run that will total 67 performances. (In Canada it goes to Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto after the Vancouver appearance.)

It’s put together in New York in a production by New Tang Dynasty Television, based in New York. It was ranked No. 7 in Billboard magazine’s top 10 shows in 2006, based on shows that ran last year at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. (… read more from Vancouver sun’s report )

Chinese Culture: Arts, Poem, Painting and Color

The Meaning of Colors in Ancient China, NTDTV-

Chinese culture created a close and binding relationship between color and ceramics, murals, paintings, and poetry…even city planning. After the Ming Dynasty, only the Emperor’s relatives could have homes with red walls and yellow roof tiles. His subjects lived in houses with blue bricks and roof tiles. However, carved beams and columns used rich hues. Many buildings used black tiles and white walls.

In the Dun Huang Caves, dating back 1500 years, there are more than 10,000 mural fragments of various dynasties. Each dynasty used different color combinations. Murals of the Northern Wei Dynasty incorporated red and brown, supplemented by blue and black. Tang Dynasty murals featured yellow. Song Dynasty murals were dominated by blue and green.

Highly-skilled Chinese paintings express the artist’s idea through the ink’s thickness and thinness. The practice is described as “ink holds five colors” and “shinning brilliantly without the usage of bright colors.” “Ink holds five colors” refers to five ink shades—charred, thick, ash, thin and clear. In a painter’s eye, the color of water is clearly different in each season. In “Lin Quan Gao Zhi” (A Book about Paintings), Guo Xi wrote, “The color of water is green in spring, bluish green in summer, aqua in autumn, and black in winter.”

As recorded in “Selections of Famous Paintings of the Tang Dynasty”, Emperor Xuan Zong praised Li Si Xun’s landscape paintings with their strong green and blue hues as “the best landscape paintings in the nation.” The ancient Chinese people were good at extracting colors from minerals and plants. This type of painting is often outlined with brilliant paints extracted from various minerals such as Shi Qing (azurite), Shi Lu (mineral green), Shi Huang (mineral yellow), Zhu Sha (cinnabar), Yan Zhi (cochineal), Qian Fen (lead powder), and Ni Jin (golden paint). With these advances in painting, the result became bright and rich.

Chinese poems and paintings share the same origin. The relationship is described as “a painting recites a poem and a poem draws a painting.” Poets could expertly describe color and poems often alluded to vibrant colors. Poet Cui Hu created wonderfully colorful scenes as shown in two lines from his poem, “Ti Du Cheng Nan Zhuang (“For the Southern Village in the Capital”). These lines express the beauty of colors for people to ponder for thousands of years:
Last year inside this court,
peach flowers reflect each other in red.

Poet Bai Juyi wrote in “Verse on River Mu,”

Paving in water is a streak of the setting sun,
turning red is the rustling river

A“silk radical” character attached to another Chinese character can describe different shades of the color of silk. According to “Shuo Wen Jie Zi” (Explaining Characters and Expressions), 24 characters describe colors of silk fabrics including red, green, purple, deep red (crimson), bright red, dark red (dark purple), light blue, orange red, white, and so on. From this, we can surmise the variety and richness of silk fabrics from the silk manufacturing industry in ancient China. During the Warring States Period, lacquerware decoration reached a highly skilled level. The state of Qi was especially well-known for its brightly colored silk products. Many of the silk goods unearthed from ancient tombs have maintained their original colors of brown, red, black, purple, and yellow.

Chinese pottery and lacquerware uses rich color even more extensively. The formulation of richly colored glazes infuses these pieces with a brilliant and lustrous appearance. From the renowned tri-colored glazed pottery of the Tang Dynasty (Tang San Cai) to five-colored glazed pottery, from the celadonware to white glazedware, from white and blue porcelain to ceramics with lustrous glazes, color plays a key role in the creation of pottery. Ancient Chinese pottery-making reached its zenith in colored and black pieces. Chinese lacquerware had exquisite patterns and dazzling color.

Ancient Chinese people understood that color feeds the spirit and expresses the depth of human experience. The 2007 Chinese New Year Spectacular celebrates color in all it intensity and richness through lighting, costumes and scenery and harkens back to the traditional meanings of color.

Celebrate color! Celebrate a spectacular Chinese New Year!

- For the Celebration in Vancouver, Canada, please check out this post:

Video: Chinese New Year Spectacular coming back to Vancouver