"I think that it's a magnificent idea! It gives us a chance to enjoy the beauty of Chinese culture, as well as bringing people to the City of Detroit, so everyone benefits!" exclaimed famous Motown singer turned Detroit City Councilwoman, Martha Reeves when asked how she felt about bringing the world-famous Chinese New Year Spectacular to the Motor City.
And Reeves isn't alone. Many elected officials and community leaders in the Detroit area were overjoyed that such an important and unique Chinese cultural production was coming to Motown.
Detroit Urban League leader, Professor Maxine Powell said that bringing the Spectacular to Detroit will help to make Detroiters more familiar with Asian communities, in a very positive way through music and dance.
"Colorful and wonderful, I'm not sure that I've seen that many colors in my life!" exclaimed Matt Carey, marketing executive for DPTV (Detroit Public Television) and Detroit Public Radio, 90.9 FM.
"I've also learned about the oppression of Falun Gong, and about the Communist Party. I just thought that the Chinese people accepted it. I had no idea how they really felt."
Albert Fields, Special Projects Coordinator with Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatricks' office, said he was very pleased to attend to the show.
"It's very colorful and exciting," he remarked. "I think that this show brings a culture to us that many of us are not familiar with, and it shows us aspects of this culture that we didn't know about."
"I liked it very much!" said George a native of Shanghai who now hails from Cleveland. "I liked all parts of the show and I feel that it truly represents Chinese culture."
"The Spectacular brings a different perspective to us about China, about what's happened in the past, and what is happening there now," explained Derick Miller, with the City Best Co. of Capital Park. "I feel that this show can only enhance our understanding of Chinese culture."
Some believed that this show was a cultural event that was not to be missed and did their best to share the experience with others.
Ms. Lenae Shivers, President of the Chinese Club at FLICS (Foreign Language Immersion Curriculum School) in Detroit made it possible for 12 students to attend the show at the Detroit Opera House. She said all the students loved the show. Shivers has been interested in Chinese culture for many years, and her daughter is also studying Chinese at the school.
"Now that I've seen the show it has given me a greater understanding of the hardships that people in China are going through," she remarked. "I feel that bringing the show here is very appropriate, it helps to give us insight, not only on Chinese culture, but also what's going on currently."
There are still plenty of opportunities to experience the magic of the Chinese New Year Spectacular. Following this Detroit performance, Diving Performing Arts will play one show in Minneapolis on January 24, and three more in Chicago on January 25 and 26. The Spectacular is also playing January 23-26 I San Francisco. See Bestchineseshows.com for details. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Chinese New Year Spectacular.
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