"We need to control things and draw on inner peace." This is one of the messages that Chicago State Representative Bob Pritchard said the Chinese New Year Spectacular at Chicago conveyed.
Mr. Pritchard said he was not able to attend the Chinese New Year Spectacular in Chicago last year, but made the decision to see it this year.
"Last year I received some information but wasn't able to attend. But I saw a CD of various different types of acts and artistry, and said this year we could make it and we wanted to. We have a significant Chinese community in our part of my district. I am a legislator, so it is important to respect the culture and to understand a little bit of the 5,000 years of history."
The Chinese New Year Spectacular just concluded its third annual performance in Chicago this past Saturday at the Arie Crown Theater. Billed as a highlight of China's 5,000 years of history, the Spectacular in Chicago has grown rapidly from one show in 2006 to three shows this year.
Having visited China in the past, Mr. Pritchard said he had wanted to "relive" some of the memory and enjoyment of that trip by attending the show. But he came out of it with something more.
"The traditional culture as we are celebrating here is beautiful. And you look at the artistry, you look at the pageantry, the colors, the music … it's wonderful and that's one thing we really were surprised we did not see much of in China when we visited."
While many audience members of the Spectacular said they like its invigorating rhythm and breathtaking drum beats, Mr. Pritchard seemed to be attracted to its tranquil side.
"It's very relaxing. The music is so soothing, and it combined with the movements of the dancers, just very peaceful and transcending … The dancers were very graceful, and the music itself just brings everything out of your soul."
Mr. Pritchard went on to say that all the pieces "have different meanings and are emphasizing different things, but the dancers were so graceful, and [in] control of their bodies, so again this is the Chinese message to all of us that [we] get so involved in our lives and hectic but we need to control things and draw on inner peace."
Divine Performing Arts, the group that performed the Chicago Chinese New Year Spectacular, is touring over sixty cities around the world this year. It is scheduled for fifteen shows at New York's Radio City Music Hall from Jan. 30 to Feb. 9.
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