GOLD Coast siblings Nissrine Smythe and David Thornton are preparing
themselves for the biggest gig of their lives.
The two vocalists are members of the southeast Queensland quintet,
Returning, that has been chosen to perform at New York’s internationally
renowned Hammerstein Ballroom, as part of the inaugural Chinese New Year
Global Gala.
Five thousand people will attend the January 17 and 18 performances, and
if that doesn’t start the knees knocking, concert organisers, New Tang
Dynasty Television, will beam a telecast into an expected 50 million
households throughout Australia, North America, Europe and Asia.
NTDTV is the world’s first independent, non-profit, free-to-air, global
Chinese TV network.
Apart from their discernible talent, Returning was placed on the bill for
the members’ common belief in Falun Dafa, an apolitical and non-religious
practice incorporating exercise and meditation.
People found observing its principles have allegedly been persecuted by
the Chinese Govern- ment, who saw it as a threat because of its massive rise
in popularity.
“Falun Dafa is a cultivation of the mind and body, and through
concentrating on truth, compassion and tolerance, you’re able to deal better
with the community, and it flows on from there,” said Ms Smythe.
“It became a threat to the Communist Government because 100 million people
were following it.”
She and Mr Thornton have a Lebanese background, and also sing in Arabic.
With Returning, they will perform two original compositions, Call To Heart
and Historical Time. They leave for New York on Sunday.
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Posting date: 15/Jan/2004
Original article date: 14/Jan/2004
Category: Media Report
