Epoch Times: Keeping Chinese Culture Alive (Photos)

Epoch Times correspondents Huang Yiyan and Zhou Rong report from San Francisco: Divine Performing Arts of New York presented its opening show at the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco at 2 p.m. on January 23 amid applause and praise. This was the first of seven performances.

When the curtain rose a picture of heaven was unveiled, complete with a divine being riding a chariot, angels, a winged horse, and fairies wearing bright costumes danced atop misty clouds.

The audience at the January 23^rd performance at Orpheum Theatre

The Orpheum Theater where the seven shows are staged is one of the largest and most luxurious theaters on the West Coast.

Accountant: I was touched

San Francisco native Fang Neng was accompanied by her husband. According to her, a pleasant surprise unfolded when the curtain went up, and the surprise happens every year when watching this show. She commented, "I enjoyed all of the programs. I rarely watch shows of this scale. The backdrop is one of a kind the likes of which I have never seen, even in Western classics. The orchestra was absolutely superb, as were the sopranos and tenors."

"I am touched. Some programs address the persecution outright, and it is a great thing to do. People should speak openly about these things. Falun Gong practitioners displayed courage amidst the persecution. They brought us hope; they brought hope to the world."

"Pass on the torch"

The audience

Ms. Song, who emigrated from Hunan Province to San Francisco

Ms. Song emigrated from Hunan Province in Southern China to San Francisco. Her father was head of the Hunan Province Agriculture Bureau during the Republic of China. She was instilled with traditional Chinese values from a young age. "Seeing these programs after all of these years, I feel they hit a nerve and reconnected me with cultural blood vessels that are buried deep inside me. The Divine Performing Arts has inherited China's 5,000-year culture, and [I hope it] will get passed down the generations."

She continued, "I cried. I love these performers. They are our children, and they keep the fire of our people alive."

Loyalty and filial piety are traditional Chinese values

Christina Lin brought her mother Nancy Lin to attend the show. Christina said, "The backdrop and lighting are gorgeous. Everything is beautiful!"

"The most precious thing is their bringing traditional Chinese values such as loyalty and filial piety to the stage, which is not very often seen in America. Modern Chinese have all but forgotten the classic tales of general Yue Fei and the fairy Chang E, yet the Divine Performing Arts managed to revive these values. It's truly wonderful! They are quintessentially Chinese."

Nancy Lin (left) and Christina Lin (right)

Linda Chong, an accountant for the California State government, said, "The show is absolutely delightful, with top-notch performances. I watch it every year. I think it gets better each time. This year's dances, costume and backdrop are completely new, and the classic art seen here cannot be found in other shows. It definitely educates the public about traditional Chinese culture."

Lions Club President: we learned how to convey Chinese culture

Huang Shangwu, president of the International Association of Lions Club said, "The dances are beautiful, and the stories are well told."

Huang grew up in San Francisco's Chinatown and understands Chinese culture. He said first generation immigrants can teach their children about their native culture, but it gets gradually lost because the parents themselves then become assimilated into mainstream American culture.

Huang said the Lions Club teaches young people about Chinese culture, which is why he came to see the show. He wanted to learn how to better convey the Chinese culture.

According to Huang, the Lions Club has chapters in more than 90 countries around the world and 40 clubs in the bay area alone. There are 15 branch offices in the city of San Francisco and members are of diverse ethnic background including Chinese, Philippine and Japanese.

Huang Shangwu (first left) and his wife (second left)

Retired lawyer: the drums woke up my soul

Betty, a retired lawyer also had many things to say. She thought the Spectacular was a "wonderful, wonderful show" with "excellent dancing, marvelous music; the backdrop and gorgeous costumes are unbelievable!" She especially liked the victory drums saying, "They woke up my soul!"

She said she could understand the programs about people being held in prison for their belief, "I am Jewish, and I know a lot about Jews being tortured in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. These [Falun Gong practitioners] want freedom."

She concluded, "My friend went to China, and I know about the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre. There are no human rights in China. This program is really informative."

Top theatre, top performance

The downtown San Francisco Orpheum Theatre has 2,200 seats and much to marvel about. As stated on the theater's website, "When you enter the lobby, a dramatic 12th century Spanish palace is revealed. A delicate balcony overlooks the crowd and onto a rich-toned tapestry overhead. Yet, it's the full-bodied lions ringing the ceiling in the auditorium that demand your attention. Mythical figures from Spanish folklore surround as you move down the aisle. An ornate sun with twinkling stars softly illuminates your seat from above in the elaborate cathedral that is the Orpheum Theater. Built in 1926 as a showcase for theater magnate Alexander Pantages, the Orpheum has featured vaudeville, silent films, motion pictures, musical comedy and other theatrical entertainment."

The audience

More information on the Chinese New Year Spectacular

Since its inauguration in 2004, NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular has become the grandest show in the world, featuring primarily ethnic Chinese performers. In 2008, the Divine Performing Arts will visit 69 cities around the globe, bringing more than 200 live shows to approximately 650,000 audience members.

The audience