Epoch Times Florida Staff

Dec 30, 2007

Caption: Hubert L'Abbe and Guerda Nicolas were pleased to see another side of China. (The Epoch Times)

ST. PETERSBURG--NTDTV's Holiday Wonders extravaganza played the first of two shows in St. Petersburg, Florida's Mahaffey Theater, bringing a taste of classical Chinese culture to Central Florida.

Hubert L'Abbe and his friend Guerda Nicolas appreciated the show on many levels. "It was very colorful and also the cultural exchange was very interesting. We got a glimpse of China." Before seeing the show, he said, all he knew of China was what he saw on the news.

Mr. L'Abbe felt that the messages and inner meaning of the performances were accessible to Westerners despite cultural differences. "Compassion, forbearance--these are universal values."

Caption: Chris Lacey came to the show while on vacation from Georgia Tech

Chris Lacey, a college student at Georgia Tech, was in Florida visiting his parents; they brought him to see Holiday Wonders for his birthday. Chris had attended a local Chinese school, and had performed some dances similar to what he saw in the show.

His favorite acts were the solo singers, Soprano Jiang Min and Baritone Yue Qu. He could understand the inner meanings, and could read the Chinese characters.

Chris hoped to be able to share with his fellow students his love of Chinese culture.

Command Sergeant Major Raymond Scnabel of the U.S. Army Cadet Corps brought half-a-dozen teenage cadets to see the show. During intermission, he asked the cadets what they liked best about the show, and what they noticed.  [12/29/2007]