(Clearwidsom.net) The Divine Performing Arts (DPA) will give four performances of it's New Year show in Ottawa in early January. More than 95% of the tickets have been sold.
Standing ovation at last year's DPA performance at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Jan. 24, 2008.
Mayor of Ottawa Larry O'Brien sent a letter to congratulate the DPA show. His letter said, "On behalf of Members of Ottawa City Council, representing a population of 888,000, I want to extend a warm welcome to the Chinese-Canadian communities of our nation's capital, Montréal, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, and others world-wide on the occasion of the Divine Performing Arts 2009 World Tour.
"As Mayor of Canada's capital city, I am pleased that Ottawa has again been selected as one of the Canadian cities, where performing arts will serve as a vehicle to increase public awareness of the important contributions, which Chinese culture, its languages and civilization have made to Canadian multiculturalism.
"This world-class production, which will play to an Ottawa audience of more than 8,000 guests in the National Arts Centre's Southam Hall, is a unique opportunity as well for Canada's citizens of Chinese ancestry and the broader population to come together via satellite with other Chinese communities in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia to be entertained by internationally acclaimed Chinese performers including talented artists from the West."
Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, said in his letter, "Once again the Divine Performing Arts Spectacular is sharing China's rich cultural heritage with sold-out audiences across Canada and around the world.
"Canada has a proud tradition of embracing diversity. Through this colourful program of song and dance, Canadians of all backgrounds have the opportunity to explore and celebrate ancient Chinese cultural traditions.
"As Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, I would like to congratulate the Divine Performing Arts on its enduring popularity. Please accept my best wishes for a very successful 2009 World Tour."
Despite a local transit workers' strike, the enthusiasm to watch the DPA shows was unaffected. There were still calls to buy tickets the day before the show. Ms. Li Xun, the person in charge of the ticket selling, told the reporter, "There was one DPA show in 2007. The tickets were sold five weeks before. Some people bought standing tickets. The two shows in 2008 were packed. The number of shows this year have been added to four. Almost all 8800 tickets have been sold. The DPA fever has been rising...People of all circles watched the show. Some from surrounding towns of Ottawa, like Kingston and Cornwall. John from Kempville reserved his tickets as early as September. Many Chinese called to reserve tickets, some from Montreal. A Chinese bought forty tickets this year."
The four DPA shows in Ottawa will be held from Jan. 2 to Jan. 4. DPA will continue its shows in Waterloo from Jan. 6 to Jan. 7, in Toronto from Jan. 3 to Jan. 14, and final four shows in Montreal starting from Jan. 16.
