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During the Divine Performing Arts (DPA) 2008 global tour, the reaction was always constant; as the curtain slowly fell, a chorus of warm applause, cheers — and a few tears — erupted from a delighted audience.
For DPA choreographer Tia Zhang, the knowledge that the performances formed an unforgettable memory for the audience was another constant.
“I know the audience truly understands this show. It is the acceptance of traditional values and praise for the masterful performance of the Divine Performing Arts group,” said Zhang, who will lead DPA during its special Mid-Autumn Spectacular, scheduled to play at Toronto’s John Basset Theatre from September 24 -28.
“It is the long lost hope of people’s heart. The DPA show is a realistic depiction of China’s 5,000 years of history, a history based on a divine culture. It is the pride of the Chinese people.”
‘Divine Land’
Traditional Chinese culture includes values such as virtue, compassion and paying respect to the heavens. Unfortunately, the “heart-breaking truth of today,” said Zhang, is that this distinguished 5,000-year-old culture was almost completely destroyed in the last 50 years by the policies of the Chinese Communist Party.
China was once known as “the divine land,” a place protected by the Gods. Chinese culture was also regarded as a divine culture because ancient people believed that Gods and humans existed together.
Zhang says she feels DPA and Toronto are connected by fate because one of DPA’s goals is to once again display the essence, splendour, and beliefs of China’s traditional divine culture to the people of Toronto through the Mid-Autumn Spectacular.
A Show Like No Other
During DPA’s 2008 world tour which ended in Edmonton in May, a female monk named Fa Yun followed the show, taking in every performance in Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. She saw the show 11 times.
“I believe that just looking at DPA from an artistic level, the show is incomparable — there is not another show that is better. Whether it is the music, dance, costumes, or backdrops, they are all wonderfully executed.” she said.
Having studied Buddhism for 20 years, Yun has a deep understanding of Buddhist music and dance. She said DPA lives up to its name, fills people’s hearts with compassion and eliminates tension between people.
“I feel like I am paying my respect to Buddha in his paradise when I am watching the show. It is the most precious and solemn thing in my life,” Yun said at the end of the tour.
Rapid Growth
Over the past several years, DPA has received invitations from cities all over the world. Some consider this to be the driving force of its stunning growth.
In 2007, DPA visited 33 cities across four continents, performing 81 shows in all. In 2008 those figures skyrocketed to 215 shows in 66 cities, playing before a total audience of 600,000.
Zhang noted that DPA has expanded since last year, and for the 2009 tour will have three performance groups. A second orchestra has been added as well, which will debut at the Mid-Autumn Spectacular.
Zhang said she hopes the Mid-Autumn Spectacular will help overseas Chinese feel a sense of closeness and ease their homesickness during the traditional Mid-Autumn festival.
