(Clearwisdom.net) On January 17, 2009, Montreal hosted the second Divine Performing Arts (DPA) show in the city. Fascinated by the beautiful dance, music, and ancient legends, the audience gave the performers a standing ovation at the end of the show.

Second DPA performance in Montreal, January 17

Ms. Liu, a student at McGill University, shared that the performance made her yearn for her home in China.

Ms. Liu said, "I learned some Chinese dance movements in my youth in China. When I watched the DPA show, I felt that only divine beings could be so beautiful. When watching the dancers movements, I remembered that I learned them too in my youth. What I can't recall is why I learned these movements. The dances were so beautiful, as well as the costumes. It looked as if they were in heaven."

She continued, "I have not seen such a performance in China. In China, dance is just dance and there is no special meaning conveyed by the performers. This performance displayed Chinese history, culture, and art. The movements are completely dissimilar to western dance. I feel like returning home."

The dance style of the DPA is derived from Chinese classical dance and also presents the essence of Chinese folk dance. The Chinese dance has a well-developed training system concerning rhythm, body movements and techniques. Besides learning the intricate dance techniques, dancers also must have a deep understanding of traditional Chinese culture and have high moral standards. They express through dance the inner meaning of Chinese culture, that of pure compassion and beauty.

Ms. Liu was quite impressed with the backdrop and the live orchestra. She said, "Because of limited space on stage, heavenly beings can't be shown without using the backdrops. Besides, I really liked the orchestra with its combination of Chinese and Western instruments. The most vivid scene was when the evil policemen beat the three people in the 'Persecuted on a Sacred Path.' It looked so real that I wanted to cry."

The dance "Persecuted on a Sacred Path" tells a story about a group of people that practice Falun Gong, who are persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). They are people who want to live by the principles Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forbearance, and remain firm in their belief. In the story, the practitioner who was killed is rewarded with eternal life.

Ms. Liu said emotionally, "I have been in this country for a long time without returning home. After seeing the DPA show, it reminded me of the Chinese traditional culture that we have to carry forward. I wish my parents were here to watch the show. I don't know if my relatives in China can see the show. I hope they can. I hope all Chinese can see it."

Mr. Liu is a new immigrant from Mainland China. After he watched the show, he said that it was calling for the return of the Chinese people's conscience.

Mr. Liu thought that the show was wonderful. He said that the singing and dancing showed superb techniques and solid foundational skills. He had a difficult time picking a favorite performance, since he thought each was superb.

He was especially taken with singer Ms. Huang Biru, a soprano. She performed "Hesitate No Longer" to the audience's warm applause.

Mr. Liu said, "CCTV presents annually a New Year's Eve show. Each time I was not sure how I felt. There is no spirit of Chinese traditional culture there."

He said that since the CCP came to power in 1949, Chinese traditional culture has been disappearing in Mainland China, but some Chinese groups in the United States and Taiwan are keeping the culture alive.

"Taiwan has done well in terms of this. In Mainland China, especially after the Cultural Revolution, traditional culture has disappeared. Today I can see on the stage in a foreign country a performance that shows 5,000 years of Chinese culture. I feel most fortunate," Mr. Liu said.

He continued, "I know the DPA has been working hard and they are touring the world." He hoped that his friends and relatives in China will have a chance to see the show one day, though it will be difficult as long as the country is under Communist rule.