Magazine Editor: The Combination of Modern Technology and Traditional Dance Impressed Me (Photos)

By Wang Zhengdao

(Clearwisdom.net) Divine Performing Arts held its second performance in Touhill Performing Arts Center (Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall) at the University of Missouri in St. Louis on May 1. Many in the audience enthusiastically shared their impressions after watching the performance.

Magazine editor: This is a solemn and traditional performance

Michelle Ochonicky, arts editor of The Healthy Planet magazine and her husband enjoyed the performance. Ms. Ochonicky said she learned a lot about Chinese traditional culture and she thought the costumes were outstanding. She said it was a beautifully done modern presentation of traditional Chinese culture.

Ms. Ochonicky said that the intricate programs led her to examine the usage of backdrop in the performance. She said, "I realized that it is a combination of modern technology and traditional dance. It is very unique. I am impressed." She especially enjoyed the traditional dancing in "Nymphs of the Sea."

"Each program has its uniqueness." Ms. Ochonicky's husband Jimmy said, "The dancing in 'Snowy Mountain, White Lotus' is very unique. It reminded me of a lotus flower. The dancing is beautiful."

Associate Vice Chancellor of Washington University: The performance is unbelievably good

Dennis J. Martin, associate vice chancellor and associate dean of the Arts and Sciences department at Washington University, and his wife Barbara Martin watched the performance. He said that the stories in the performance were very interesting, especially the ancient Chinese legends. He said, "The performance is unbelievably good. It is visually stunning and magnificent."

Mr. Martin likes Chinese culture and thinks that China's several thousand years of history and rich culture has common features with other cultures, but also its own uniqueness. He said this performance showed such unique culture. He said that the program "The Risen Lotus Flower" impressed him most. It is a story about suppression and transcending the seemingly unsurpassable hardship with the help of spiritual power.

Mrs. Martin said, "This is a completely different cultural experience. The performance of traditional Chinese dance is so different from western dance. Seeing the numerous hand gestures of the performers, I'd like to learn those gestures and understand their meanings."

Mr. Martin said that the performance in western society gives those who don't know a lot about Chinese culture a chance to learn. He said that it is worth seeing multiple times. "You understand it a little when watching it for the first time. Seeing it again allows you to enjoy it on a deeper level."

Mr. Martin said everyone is a citizen of the world and should learn about different cultures, so he would recommend the show to everyone. He said he appreciated the hosting organization for bringing Divine Performing Arts to St. Louis and hopes it will come again next year.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2008/5/3/177760.html

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