(Clearwisdom.net) After five successful shows in Vancouver, Divine Performing Arts graced the stage at Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary on the evening of April 30, 2008. The angelic grace of sea nymphs, the virile strength of Mongolian youth and the distinctive, frolicking forsythias amazed an enthusiastic audience, including local dignitaries and the general public.

Norm Boucher, Mayor of Medicine Hat, said after watching the Chinese Spectacular with his wife, "The songs, dances, music and colors were out of this world and truly unforgettable. The dances were of the highest professional standard and the music was so breathtaking that I'm still trying to absorb it. I learned so much, such as the interesting story presented in 'The Lady of the Moon'. I felt there is a touching story behind every program in the Spectacular."

Medicine Hat City Mayor Norm Boucher and his wife Sanja Boucher

Mr. Boucher went on to draw some parallels, "Compared to a young nation like Canada, China is a country with a 5,000-year culture. We are now making history for Canada, so for us, it's very important to study the meaning behind the profound and expansive Chinese culture. Today, I fully immersed myself in the remarkable breadth and depth of Chinese civilization."

"I thought the show was a total knockout", said his wife, Sanja Boucher. "I especially liked the 'Mongolian Bowl Dance'."

Mayor Boucher added that Medicine Hat is a small city with a population of 6,000 without any large theatre. But he hoped to promote the Spectacular in his town next year, so more residents could come and enjoy such a grand feast of the arts.

Black Diamond Mayor Rolly Magee

The city of Black Diamond is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, 52 km southwest of Calgary. Mayor Rolly Magee had many positive things to say about the Spectacular, "This was an outstanding performance. We should watch it more often; the more the better." He also praised the overall coordination with the show, which he said was excellent, and he had a special affinity for "Victory Drums", although he thoroughly enjoyed all other programs as well.

In fact, Mr. Magee enjoyed the Spectacular so much that he decided to invite Divine Performing Arts staff to introduce the show at the City Council.

His sister Debbie Coulter, a former manager at Nortel, said what attracted her the most were the "Inspirational programs, the colors and atmosphere. The kaleidoscopic backdrop was really creative and instantly draws you in.

"My favorite number was 'Forsythia in Spring'; it was most mesmerizing. It's just hard to believe a handkerchief can dance so nimbly on one's fingertips. I've seen Broadway shows, and I remember when I looked around, many people had fallen asleep. Here, I didn't see anyone lose interest in the Spectacular, and everyone was riveted and paying full attention. It was wonderful!"

Lacombe County Reeve Terry Engen and his wife Terry Ramsay

Lacombe County Reeve Terry Engen and his wife Terry Ramsay drove an hour and a half from northern Alberta to see the Spectacular, and they couldn't stop talking about it afterwards. Mr. Engen said the choreography and costumes were of "mind-boggling perfection," and it was impossible to pick a favorite because every program was a sheer delight.

Ms. Ramsay visited China 15 years ago and has some knowledge of the country. She saw some shows in Mainland China and decided the Spectacular was a far superior embodiment of Chinese culture.

Village of Hussar Mayor Michelle Brown and her husband Gory Brown

The Village of Hussar is located 93 km east of Calgary. Similar to Mr. Engen, Mayor Michelle Brown and her husband Gory Brown drove a long distance to watch the show, and even traffic congestion could not dampen their enthusiasm. Mayor Brown said, "It was very unique. The costumes were lovely and refined, and the stories were very interesting. I didn't know much about Chinese culture before, and this performance is highly educational. It jump-started my learning of Chinese culture."

Her husband Gory, on the other hand, was beaming with joy, "I loved it! I've never seen anything like this before. "The Spectacular gave me a better understanding of traditional Chinese culture, which is very different from what we see on TV. I enjoyed all of the performances tonight."

Rocky Mountain House Mayor Jim Bague: soul stirring spectacle

Jim Bague, Mayor of Rocky Mountain House, was left breathless and applauded the originality of the routines, the poignant themes and poetic lyrics, all of which were thought provoking. "What impressed me the most were the dazzling costumes, elegant music, drums that awaken the sky, and the Erhu solo. The Spectacular provided me with a pair of lenses that allowed greater insight into Chinese culture."

Mr. Bague has served as Rocky Mountain House Town Councilor for 11 years and mayor for four years, and for him, the difference between Chinese and Western culture and artistic expression could not hinder the power of music, a universal language that transcends borders. "When I listened [to the songs], I could feel what they were about. The songs were beautiful and I really appreciate the meaning behind the lyrics." He was particularly impressed by Erhuist Qi Xiaochun's number, "Redemptive Suffering."

Bague held the Spectacular in high regard. "Westerners can freely express themselves but the same thing is impossible in China. It's a shame such a long-running culture cannot be shared with the Chinese people in its entirety. We hope that the Spectacular can perform inside China one day. I'll recommend it to Mainland Chinese, because I believe they will benefit tremendously by watching it."

Zhang Zhenlong, the spokesman for the Calgary Association for Promoting Democracy, said that "The Risen Lotus Flower" was an absolute standout that struck a deep chord in him. He said, "Those Falun Gong practitioners were thinking of rescuing others when suffering themselves. The Falun Gong people I personally know have also touched me with their selfless acts. Falun Gong practitioners in Mainland China persevered even when they were being abused and slaughtered--that is a rare quality and it's what I admire the most."

Rosemarie Goerlitz, of the Calgary Catholic School District Board of Trustees, and her husband Armond

Rosemarie Goerlitz, who serves on the Calgary Catholic School District Board of Trustees, commented, "This was a gorgeous performance with regal and opulent colors, dramatic and fascinating plots, infectious dance moves, and great messages. The word 'serenity' sums up my feelings about the Spectacular.

"'Nymphs of the Sea' was my personal favorite because it was so vivid, harmonic and continuous, it was like watching a movie. The backdrop was highly realistic with rich and abundant images. I experienced many, many things through the Spectacular, such as the indescribable wonder of China's 5,000-year culture and classical Chinese instruments, the blithe freshness of classical Chinese dance like 'Lightness and Grace,' and scores based on Truth, Compassion, Tolerance. Overall, the show was infused with tranquility and it was very, very exceptional. I'm truly grateful that Divine Performing Arts could come to Calgary, because Western society needs to have more exchanges with Chinese culture."