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Boston: Families with Adopted Chinese Children Make Divine Performing Arts a Family Tradition (Photos)

Jan. 13, 2009

(Clearwisdom.net) The Divine Performing Arts (DPA) Chinese New Year Spectacular graced Boston's historic Opera House with a third and final production Sunday afternoon. The greater Boston area was treated to yet another spectacle of delightful dances, extraordinary music, and mesmerizing backdrops.

An overnight storm dropped about five inches of snow but that did not deter an audience of enthusiastic spectators who nearly filled the house.

The Blankenaugh family

For the Blankenaugh family, it was their third year to see the show. They traveled to Boston from their hometown of Amesbury the night before and stayed at a hotel to avoid having to drive in the snowstorm Saturday night. John Blankenaugh, an electrical engineer, and his wife, Joan, a homemaker, have made the show an annual family tradition.

Their daughter was adopted from Hebei Province in China and they are now awaiting the arrival of a second child adopted from China. When asked about her impression of the show, Joan stated, "It's just spectacular--the costumes and the music and the dancing. We plan to come every year. Chinese people have developed such an internal strength that is very beautiful and very important to our family."

Norm, Mary, their adopted granddaughter, and their friends

Another family also enjoyed the show. The family patriarch, Norm, is an 84-year-old retired engineer who formerly worked for NASA. His wife, Mary, worked for 23 years as a secretary with the US army.

Along with their daughter Susan and adopted Chinese daughter Jade, they all enjoyed this year's Spectacular production very much. When asked about the show, Norm enthusiastically replied, "I thought it was terrific. The costumes, the movements, and the dancers were all gorgeous"

Susan added, "We brought her (Jade) because of the Chinese culture. It was a wonderful experience for us." The family will soon be taking a trip to China to visit the orphanage where Jade was originally from. Her mother concluded, "I wanted her to experience the traditional Chinese culture before going back to China."

What better way to do that than to attend the Chinese New Year Spectacular?