Warm welcome inspires China Carnival spring gala to return

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By Doreen Barnes

EMC News - The stage at the Brockville Arts Centre will be transformed with the grace of the Chinese Culture as the China Carnival Spring Gala returns next Wednesday, Feb. 8, for a 2 p.m. matinee and a 7:30 evening performance.

"We were very impressed and touched by the audiences," said coordinator Rudy Gao, Ottawa-based president, Canada-China Cultural Development Association (CCCDA), "who showed their warm welcome and appreciation. I was told that after the show for many days the local residents talked about the performance.

"This is one of the big reasons our association brings this show back to Brockville."

Among those in attendance a year ago was a large contingent from Lanark County who were bused to the BAC last February.

The proceeds from the 2 p.m. matinee will go to the Heart and Stroke Foundation as a fund raising event, as February is Heart and Stroke month.

Audiences will be thrilled as they see the colourful and stunning celebration of an ancient Chinese heritage, marking the New Year 2012.

The China National Performing Arts troupe is comprised of 70-top level artists and entertainers who have performed around the world winning 18 international and 14 domestic awards.

"It is still a variety show but all the pieces of last year's show have been replaced by different performers," indicated Gao.

"We have increased more pieces in aerobics, and we also bring magic.

"The dancing pieces are also different. There are some contemporary dancing elements."

For the opening dance the smooth and resonant music of the guqin (a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument favoured by scholars and known as the instrument of the sages), along with a gudi, the oldest known bone flute from China will provide the background composition as performers in their ancient costumes gracefully take to the stage.

The Jiahu gudi dates back to around 6,000 B.C. and is made from the wings of a red crowned crane.

Aside from the enriching cultural dance sequences, there will be acrobats twisting their bodies into very amazing poses using strength, flexibility with technical precision, along with fantastic folklore, performances using many traditional Chinese musical instruments and a cheerful atmosphere of magical inspiration.

Each performance is 50 minutes long with a 15 minute intermission in between. Tickets are on sale at the Brockville Arts Centre box office at 235 King Street West, call (613) 342-7122, toll free 1-877-342-7122 or go to www.brockvilleartscentre.com, with the admission being $35.40 per person and $17.20 for students. For groups of 10 or more, a special rate to $30 per person applies. All tickets are subject to the Harmonized Sales Tax.

This troupe is visiting seven cities with nine performances which started at Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Brockville, Toronto, Mississauga and winding up in Calgary on Feb.17.

Don't wait too long to buy your ticket as you do not want to be disappointed.