Fill the World with LOVE

Jun 15, 2008

Tiny bobs of glowing flame wavered against the backdrop, illuminating the solemn faces of
a dozen children. Those tea lights clutched in their hands symbolized captured fireflies dancing at dusk.
As this first act unfolded, it was acknowledged that the show did not appear to be more than good entertainment. It soon became very clear, however, that on Sunday, June 15, 2008,
Lazzara Performance Hall at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville was to serve as
the landing site for an unprecedented bomb of human goodwill.

This is explained when a number of adults take to the stage at about 6:40 pm, thanking the audience
for their generosity, for joining them in the “Fill the World with Love” charity show.
Blinking in the glare of spotlights, earnest spokespersons for Jacksonville Chinese Association,
the University of North Florida, and SinoElite Group from Orlando assured us that all admission fees
for the show and proceeds from the earlier silent auction were to be donated to
survivors in earthquake-ravaged Sichuan. Spectators clapped, then twitched through
the following introductory speeches, eager to behold what could be the most magnanimous stage production assembled on this side of Florida.

Such anticipation was well met. The program kicked off with a passionate piano soloist,
Mr. Shijun Wang from Julliard School of Music, his rousing rendition of “Yellow River” a fitting tribute to the spirit of Chinese folk. A succession of SinoElite Group’entertainers then claimed the stage
in an overwhelming array of talent: one limber female contortionist, Ms. Xin Ming, awed onlookers
with what appeared to be boneless flexibility, before handing the lead to Mr. Zhidan Li,
formidable whip-twirling martial arts champion. When these two acts ended,
an unusual wrestling sequence ensued, as acrobat Libo Meng, clad in a double panda costume
amused younger viewers by attempting to kick himself over.

Two prominent musicians prepared their stringed instruments next. Ms. Luo Wu, at the Chinese zither,
and Mr. Rui Yang, an expert Chinese violinist (erhu and banhu) suffused the theater with deep,
harmonic tranquility. The depth of skill these individuals possessed was best demonstrated in ensemble,
as the elegant lilt of each interwoven melody transfixed the audience. This musical composition
truly became the essence of the entire evening.

After a brief interlude, in which the emcees Ms. Wendy Chen, Mr. Larry Lu, and Mr. Harry Rothchild presented a slideshow of devastating snapshots divulging the tragic stories of Sichuan’s victims,
the festivities commenced with professional ballroom dancing, courtesy of
a Social Affair Dancing Studios. A suited man and a lady in gorgeous attire waltzed
lightly together in large, abstract circles. Our moods were thrown again when
“fusion of the East and West” Guokang Teng leaped on stage and proceeded to entertain us
with a noteworthy outfit and vibrant pop song/dance routine.
The spectators were particularly enthusiastic at this change of pace.

The final few performances were no less memorable than earlier highlights. Ms. Yajun
Zhang, a master with the Chinese yoyo, showed off difficult tricks with a cheerful disposition. A voice mimicry artist Huawei Yin scored with his comical imitation of two bickering birds. But it was Mr. Fanzhe Meng, stout-hearted acrobat, who achieved the most terrifying feat of all: balancing huge ceramic
jars precariously on his head. He used Lani Yu is a student at Olympia High School in Orlando,
Florida and will be entering 10th grade once summer break ends. She was a volunteer for “Fill the World with Love” charity performance/fundraiser for China’s Sichuan Earthquake Relief organized
by the Chinese and local communities in north and central Florida.two vases of different size,
one almost twice as big as the other, and set our teeth on edge by tossing them up
and catching them on the back of his neck. When his act ended, everyone
applauded vigorously in admiration and deep relief.

A nearly three-hour long production wrapped up with Mr. Jianwei Han’s stunning tenor solo,
blowing the audience away with Italian opera and Chinese folk songs. As a closing statement,
or finale of sorts, every single performer and organizer emerged from the wings onto the stage
in line formation. They sang “Fill the World with Love” in chorus, as those witnessing rose
in a standing ovation. The curtains did not close until a while later, however,
because many were actively scrambling for group pictures.

When a line of cars ultimately set on the road home, and a batch of entertainers ultimately
went out for celebratory dinner, it occurred to me that each of those profoundly gifted
individuals showed up to perform for free, with no purpose other than doing a service
for their native land. They must be so proud, I thought. Being directly involved in an effort
that allows people to aid others, regardless of physical distance. A day or so in wait,
and the figures came out. A combined total of over 20 thousand dollars was successfully
raised for the suffering of those mired in Sichuan. So it turned out that about eight hundred
sympathetic citizens discovered the benefit of donating a Sunday evening to this cause.
Over fifty active volunteers discovered the same thing, as due payment for their labors.

 By Lani Yu

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