Sonorous Chinese opera singing, dazzling hula-hoop dancing, and elegant acrobatics were just part of the pageantry attracting thousands of spectators at the 2010 New Year World Peace Gala in Chicago on Saturday.
CHICAGO, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Sonorous Chinese opera singing, dazzling hula-hoop dancing, and elegant acrobatics were just part of the pageantry attracting thousands of spectators at the 2010 New Year World Peace Gala in Chicago on Saturday.
The celebration, dubbed a "Carnival China Style" created jointly by the China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and the China Broadcasting Performing Arts Troupe, was nothing short of spectacular, when it was showcasing the inheritance and latest achievements of Chinese art, said some Chicagoans who watched the show.
Around 70 top Chinese artists and performers provided a blend of singing, dancing, opera, folk music, and acrobatics at the Auditorium Theatre.
Kicking off the evening was a lively "Spring Dance," portraying the jubilant scene of a traditional Chinese festival, a time for rejoicing with drum beating, singing and dancing.
Guinness world record holder Jin Linlin held the audience captive when her dance with hundreds of silver hula hoops transformed into an image of flying silver snakes.
There was also a live Chinese painting and calligraphy demonstration along with Chinese music and dancing throughout the gala.
China, which has 56 ethnic groups, has developed a unique and amazing art of its own, richly diverse and highly comprehensive, encompassing all forms and styles. "The Carnival China Style" featured the art quintessence of many nationalities in China such as Han, Uygur, Mongolian, Tibetan, Miao, Yi and other ethnic groups.
The Snow Lotus Three Sisters, a maiden trio from Tibet, truly moved the audience with their pure, lingering vocals, vividly rendering with their voices the vast realm of Mother Nature. They won huge rounds of applause and offered an encore performance of another authentic Tibetan folk song.
The dynamic evening ended with a sizzling finale in which the entire cast danced to "the Song Flying on Earth."
So impressed with the stunning performance, Lori Ziesmer, a member of the audience, was already discussing with her husband an early trip to China.
"It was an amazing opportunity and I wish more people would have the chance to see the show and understand the cultural aspects that China has to offer. We need to visit China soon!" Ziesmer said.
Anita Tang also enjoyed every minute of the performance. "Art and culture are such wonderful ways to connect people, create warm feelings and forge friendship," she told Xinhua.
Gene Lee, deputy chief of staff of the mayor's office in Chicago, said: "As our Mayor Daley always says, Chicago is a very diverse city and community. This performing group from China is very diverse in many art forms. To share its rich culture is great for our city and for our country."
Huang Ping, China's consul general in Chicago, described the performance as a bridge of understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and the United States.
Daway Zhou, president of China Star Media which is a co-host of the event, said the magnificent event helped bring people closer together in 2010 and in the years beyond.
The 2010 New Year World Peace Gala was organized by the All China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (AFROC) which serves as a bridge and a cultural link for overseas Chinese and for cultural exchanges between China and other countries.
The Chinese Broadcasting Performing Arts Troupe is one of the premier performing troupes in China with a 55-year history. Having visited Vancouver and Ottawa in Canada, the troupe will travel to St. Paul, Denver and Seattle, for their performance tour of of the United States.