CEO Lori Abittan praised the Divine Performing Arts Chinese New Year Spectacular for a beautiful show with a powerful message.
"This was my first time coming here to see the show and it was absolutely spectacular," she said. "It's a showcase of art, culture, and the human spirit."
Abittan heads Multimedia Nova Corporation whose subsidiaries include Multicom Media Services, Diversity Media Services Ltd. and World Television.
Abittan said she was impressed that many different Chinese ethnicities were showcased in the Spectacular.
"I found beauty in every single act... I think that each act brought its own beauty and flavor. And the message—that was powerful, I mean we're talking about a show that was completely showcased through dance and music, not words—very little spoken words and it spoke volumes to me and I'm not Chinese so you can just imagine."
The Divine Performing Arts dance company aims to promote traditional Chinese culture and values through the Spectacular. Many of the dances depict ancient Chinese legends of Buddhas and Taos, while others portray historical scenes and heroic tales.
Some of the dances deal with more contemporary issues such as the persecution of Falun Gong. Falun Gong is a meditation practice and spiritual discipline that has been brutally suppressed in China since 1999.
"The culture showcasing so many ethnic groups in China was so incredibly at the center stage of these people who are fighting for a right cause," said Abittan. "No one has that right to do that to another human being." Beyond aesthetic beauty, themes that run through many of the Spectacular's dance and musical pieces include courage, loyalty, honesty, filial piety, compassion, faith, and search for spiritual truth. "I congratulate the organizers," said Abittan. "I hope they keep doing this and I'm encouraged to see so many non-Chinese. I think it's fantastic, it's fabulous.
"I'm absolutely grateful to be here and Happy Chinese New Year to all of the Chinese people. I'm absolutely thrilled to be part of it, so thank you."
After Toronto, the Spectacular will continue on its world tour, playing in the U.S., Japan, Korea, Paris, Singapore and Australia before heading to Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton in the spring.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts shows that will perform in over 60 cities worldwide in 2008. To find a show near you, please visit www.bestchineseshows.com.
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