As someone who does support things because they are Asian, I almost bought my parents tickets to Holiday Wonders. The show, which plays in New York and also goes on tour, is a pastiche of dance and song and reminds me of things I was subjected to on Loveboat.
I think I need some time to get used to it. Although it’s now in its fifth year, it’s only the second that I’ve heard of it. Right now it seems like a very elaborate talent show, one that I only support for political reasons. This I do despite the fact that the show is neither here nor there -it’s in both English and Chinese, has both European ballet and Chinese dances. It doesn’t seem to know what it is (and yet that in itself is an Asian American trait).
At any rate, as a collection of ditties for the holiday season, it can’t be any worse than the other songs and dances offered up at this time of year. Sometimes I think Asians are their own worst enemies, with tendencies to be too critical, analytical, and demanding of themselves and of each other. Holiday Wonders wants to be a new American tradition, and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t have that place.
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Ernie wrote:
Uhm, not to start an epic, massive flame war again, but… isn’t this show sponsored by the Falun Gong? http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2007/12/22/92360.html
I’m all about delightful holiday shows. It’s only the delightful holiday shows that surprise you with a hidden political message that put me off.
Posted on 24-Dec-07 at 11:39 am | Permalink
Lily wrote:
HUH? I am going to go eat cookies now.
Posted on 25-Dec-07 at 12:49 pm | Permalink
Vivian wrote:
I saw this year’s Holiday Wonders show on Christmas day, and was delighted to see a large Western audience there, many of whom were dazzled by the ephemeral quality of the show. I feel it truly displays the best of our 5000-year old culture, and as an Asian American, I respect the rightful intention NTDTV has in wanting to retain that culture.
In the history of Chinese culture, the divine has always been a theme, whether in art, writing, fiction, acupuncture, or even in military strategies. Metallurgy even involved the Taoist thinking of alchemically transmuting the body into a divine substance. Hardly any of our ancient culture was driven away from this spiritual quest, and the performances I saw in Holiday Wonders brought back to life, on stage, the realm of the Dunhuang paradise, the strength of Tang dynasty people, and mythical tales that recalled the self-cultivation emphasized in all the stories I was told as a child.
As for the political element, I would ask: is human rights getting into politics? Everyone knows (at least most new yorkers do) about the Chinese gov’s suppression of religious groups and its persecution of Falun Gong, and in Holiday Wonders, the performance “Power of Awareness” reminds us that in addition to our culture and our spirit, there’s the importance of holding strong to our moral beliefs. I would say this was a very big thing to do, and a strong and worthy statement to make - don’t know of any other Chinese show that has showcased both ancient and contemporary China. (and what a juxtaposition that is…)
Posted on 26-Dec-07 at 9:34 pm | Permalink
Lily wrote:
*when I said political, I just meant Asian American
Posted on 27-Dec-07 at 7:24 am | Permalink
Goldman wrote:
But the story of shen yun and holliday wonders does not stop at the issue of human rights. It is much more behind this falun gong sponsored event. Overheard some falun gong people saying that what is going on now is a universal rectification and that only falun gong can save people. So the they said the idea of the show is to let people see it and get friendly thoughts about falun gong. If they get friendly thoughts they can be saved to the future but if they continue to be hostile to falun gong their souls will be eliminated for ever. So they say that out of compassion to ordinary people (yeah “ordinary” that is everyone except themselves) they have made this performance to give them a last chance. This is their belief. Their master has created the show and the group Shen Yun. So be careful if you see htis, you must like it or else…
Posted on 19-Jan-08 at 2:50 pm | Permalink
Vivian wrote:
Did you get a chance to see the show? What did you think of it? I would say, go by what you see for yourself, not what others are saying as that’s their own beliefs/opinions.
If you haven’t yet, I know there’s a Chinese New Year Splendor show coming up at Radio City you can catch for the chinese new year: http://chinesesplendor.com/
Posted on 20-Jan-08 at 7:58 am | Permalink
Lily wrote:
um, someone works for holiday wonders…
Posted on 20-Jan-08 at 8:01 pm | Permalink
Vivian wrote:
Actually, saw the Splendor posters in the Port Authority subway tunnels.
Posted on 20-Jan-08 at 8:31 pm | Permalink
Lily wrote:
Ok just kidding. And just checking
Posted on 21-Jan-08 at 9:23 am | Permalink
Goldman wrote:
If falun gong want to be accepted and not a hate obeject by atheists etc. they should stop hiding that they have no interest in ordianry people’s culture events, such as the Chinese New Year, but instead the show is all about saving the world by the show since this is what their master have told hte it is al labout. He is also the creator of the show. The show shows clear political messages of anti China’s politics and promotion of their belief system. If htey promoted it as such peope would know what they get and not feel so cheated on their money afer they go home. Dancing and colourfull plays is just a way to submerge everything.
Posted on 26-Jan-08 at 5:26 pm | Permalink
Col wrote:
I was gifted tickets, and yes, it is basically falungong propaganda.
Here is one of the songs they sing:
Dear friend, it’s for you I sing with heart so true,
Fifty years of lies have built this Red Wall.
Though crooks may have sullied our glorious culture,
The values of honesty, kindness, and patience endure.
Don’t be gullible before the one-voice system,
Use the goodness within to weigh right and wrong.
For when you have arrived at the truth,
Then comes the chance of renewal.
Dear friend, it’s of truth that I sing to you,
Heaven judges us, each and every one.
History has always dealt the depraved the same,
The corrupt dynasty is made to perish;
While civility and decency go on, rejuvenated.
May you be free of the confusion lies have wrought.
And not go down together with the Red Crooks.
Out of compassion, we spread awareness
So that one day you may be free;
In this knowledge lies the hope of deliverance.
Posted on 02-Feb-08 at 10:36 pm | Permalink