The third Mother Of Mercy Concert and the inaugural Australian International Taoist Culture Festival were held on 13 April 2024 at The Concourse, Chatswood. This event, themed “Taoist Mythology: The Classic of Mountains and Seas,” showcased the profound charm and mystical aspects of Chinese Taoist culture.
Since 2022, the Australian Cultural Education Association has successfully hosted three editions of the Mother Of Mercy Concert. Each event has captivated audiences with its unique artistic allure and rich cultural significance. This year’s event was organised and curated by Ms. Yan Meixi, an enthusiastic promoter of Chinese culture, who is deeply passionate about traditional music and arts. She is dedicated to fostering a harmonious society through the wisdom of Taoist culture.
This videos include thrilling performances such as lion dancing, Peking opera, and Taoist music, alongside outstanding acts by national-level artists, together exploring the mysteries of “The Classic of Mountains and Seas.” Let us indulge in this audiovisual feast to experience the harmony and balance of life, feel the tender love of mothers worldwide, and appreciate the profundity and breadth of Taoist culture.
Dragon and Lion Dance
Performer(s)
Da Hung Lion Dance
Violin Ensemble
Performer(s)
Nicole Wang
Phoenix Dancing in the Mountains and Seas
Performer(s)
Du Lei, Dong Ning, Larry Wu
High Mountain and Flowing Waters
Performer(s)
Xiao Yijuan
KUNLUN Wing Chun Eight Trigram Palms
Performer(s)
Ruyan Dance Studio
Dragon’s Roar in the Nine Heavens
Performer(s)
Zhu Yuanhe, Xuan Shiyu
Riverside Tranquility
Performer(s)
Li Fuhua, Cao Yulin, Yaochi Palace Charity Orchestra
The Lantern Festival
Performer(s)
The One Dance Troupe
Gods Fall, Reluctant Farewell
Performer(s)
Wu Yan
Humanity's Sorrow
Performer(s)
Dong Ning
Blaze Spirit of War
Performer(s)
Cai Ruifei, Michael Yu
Esoteric Martial Arts
Performer(s)
Wudang Mountain Martial Arts Troupe
The Might of the Vast Sea
Performer(s)
Jiang Zhuohao, Ye Jiaming, Guo Zijian
Gods fall, Reluctant Farewell 2
Performer(s)
Qin Zhu
Fantasy Chang'an
Performer(s)
Ruyan Dance Studio
The Path of Rebirth, Return of the Divine Light
Performer(s)
Jiang Zhongyu, Yaochi Palace Charity Orchestra, Sydney Koala Female Ensemble
Date: April 13, 2024 Time: 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM Venue: The Concourse, Chatswood
As the golden hues of autumn blend with the fervor of artistic passion, we cordially invite you to a grand celebration of culture and art — “The 3rd Mother of Mercy Concert 2024” in conjunction with “The 1st Australian International Taoist Cultural Festival”. This gala is themed around the “Taoist Mythological Tales from the Classic of Mountains and Seas”, exploring the convergence of wisdom and beauty within the enigmatic realms of Taoist culture and the vast mythologies of the Classic of Mountains and Seas.
Since 2022, the Australia Taoism Association has hosted two consecutive Mother of Mercy Concert, each event captivating wide acclaim and enthusiastic responses with its unique artistic charm and profound cultural essence. On those occasions, we showcased China’s national and world-class intangible cultural heritage through various forms, such as lion dances, Peking opera, and Taoist music, allowing every attendee to deeply appreciate the unique allure and profound heritage of Chinese culture.
This year, we continue to uphold the spirit of maternal love and gratitude. The event is personally orchestrated and organized by Ms. Meixi Yan, founder of the Australia Taoism Association and a fervent promoter of Chinese culture. Ms. Yan, a passionate seeker of traditional music and art, is committed to fostering a harmonious society through the wisdom of Taoist culture.
The 2024 music evening promises to be even more spectacular. We will embark on a journey to unravel the mysteries within the “Classic of Mountains and Seas” through high-level artistic performances. Numerous national-level artists will gather to present an auditory and visual feast, immersing you in the nurturing embrace of Taoist culture and allowing you to experience the harmony and balance in life.
We believe that art can convey hope and warmth. May every guest at this music evening feel the universal love of mothers, as well as the profoundness and breadth of Taoist culture.
We look forward to witnessing this grand cultural exchange with you at The Concourse, experiencing a journey about love and wisdom together. Let’s meet on April 13, 2024, to explore the limitless mysteries of Taoist culture.
(Please note that this event will adhere to the local government’s health and safety guidelines to ensure the safety of all guests. Stay tuned to our official channels for the latest updates.)
Member of the Chinese National Orchestra Society’s Guqin Committee
Standing Director of the China Guqin Culture Society
Graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music, under the tutelage of Li Xiangting, a renowned guqin performer, educator, and inheritor of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage of the guqin, and professor at the Central Conservatory of Music.
Winner of the “Excellence Gold Award” in the professional guqin category at the 7th International Youth Arts Competition (Taiwan Finals).
Has performed in Asia, the Americas, Europe, and more. Also featured in interviews and programmes on Japan CSC, NHK Radio, Japanese TV, Phoenix TV, etc.
Programme Preview
Xiao will perform “Flowing Water” at the Maternal Love Evening Gala, a piece attributed to Bo Ya, divided into “High Mountains” and “Flowing Water” during the Tang dynasty, widely known for its use of techniques like rolling, plucking, and pressing to depict the vigorous flow of water.
Wudang Daoist Culture Development Center
Wudang Taoist Kung Fu Group
Wudang Mountain is acclaimed as
“An unparalleled scenic beauty, the premier celestial mountain in the world.”
Wudang martial arts have a long, profound history
An important school of Chinese martial arts
One of the national intangible cultural heritages
Since its establishment in 2017, the Wudang Daoist Culture Development Center, located in the Wudang Mountain Special Area, Danjiangkou City, Hubei Province, has enrolled over a thousand students from home and abroad. The center’s instructors have been invited to Canada, Germany, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, and other countries to spread Wudang kung fu.
The Wudang Taoist Kung Fu Group, affiliated with the Wudang Mountain Taoist Association, consists of Wudang sect elites and direct disciples of Wudang Neijiaquan, dedicated to inheriting Wudang culture and promoting Wudang kung fu. They incorporate Wudang’s secret Neijia techniques into stage art, creating a unique artistic medium that is both martial and elegant, appealing to all.
Programme Preview
The Wudang Daoist Culture Development Center will showcase authentic “Wudang Kung Fu” to local residents in Sydney, Australia, at the Maternal Love Evening Gala, directly from China. The performance will maintain the fundamental elements of Tai Chi while incorporating aesthetic and health elements, enhancing the spectacle and reflecting the splendid civilization and vitality of the Chinese nation.
Not just an academic illustration of Wudang Mountain’s rich history and profound culture, but a performance that visually presents it to every spectator, allowing them to relax and explore Wudang.
Dancer: Ru Yan
Ru Yan Dance Studio
Judge, choreographer, and instructor at the 2022 Miss Chinese Sydney Area and the Showcase Australia’s First Chinese Dance Competition Sydney Division
Over 1 million followers online
Ru Yan Dance Studio (Rites of Mist Dance Studio), established in 2018, specializes in dance performance, choreography, professional dancer training, and hosting government and commercial events.
The studio’s dancers are active on Sydney’s major stages, dedicated to the overseas promotion and exchange of Chinese dance. The team comprises professional dancers in Chinese and modern dance, as well as cultural guardians from diverse backgrounds.
Ru Yan, the studio’s director, has focused on promoting Chinese culture both online and offline, integrating into the Australian cultural market, spreading the charm of Chinese dance, and engaging in cultural exchange and integration with Western cultures.
Ru Yan Dance Group continues to innovate, bringing in new talent and producing new works, providing a platform for overseas Chinese enthusiasts of Chinese dance and culture to learn, practice, and spread their heritage.
Programme Preview
Teacher Ru Yan will lead her team in performing “Ode to Spring” and “Dream of Chang’an” at the Maternal Love Evening Gala. “Ode to Spring” uses the intangible cultural heritage of Wing Chun as its theme, showcasing martial arts through dance and highlighting Lingnan culture.
“Dream of Chang’an” is inspired by Tang dynasty painted wood dancing figurines. The figurines awaken from the dark, with a woman from the Central Plains dancing with fluttering ribbons in Chang’an, merging cultures along the hem of her dress, both real and fantastical. The dance moves gracefully, with ribbons swirling, leaving the audience with a dreamlike vision of Chang’an’s splendor.
Malaysia Bellamos Music Center
We Teach Music with Love
Bellamos Music Center, located in Malaysia, is a renowned music school and performance center dedicated to fostering and promoting the art of music. The center offers a variety of music courses, including piano, violin, guitar, and vocal training, and hosts concerts and performances.
Programme Preview
Two teachers from Bellamos Music Center will travel from Malaysia to Sydney to collaborate with local Australian music groups in a series of performances, including “Elephant Walk” and “Pirates of the Caribbean”. The creative blend of guitar and pipa showcases the fusion of Eastern and Western musical instruments.
Peking Opera Artist: Wu Yan
Former national-level Peking Opera performer at the Beijing Peking Opera Theatre
Founder of Sydney Jing Yun Tang
Wu Yan began studying Peking Opera performance art at the Beijing Opera School at age 9 and later graduated from the Peking Opera Performance Department of the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts. She was assigned to the youth troupe of the Beijing Peking Opera Theatre as a Qingyi and Dao Ma Dan performer.
Mentored by renowned Peking Opera masters such as Li Xihong, Ba Jinling, Li Li, Sun Yumin, Wang Xiaorong, Wang Jizhu, Shen Jianjin, and Tong Xiying. She has performed alongside Mei Baojiu, son of Mei Lanfang, in “The Drunken Concubine” and was received by Premier Zhu Rongji.
In 2000, she performed “Celestial Maidens Scattering Flowers” in Moscow for Beijing’s Olympic bid. In 2003, she immigrated to Australia and has participated in Chinese celebrations and multicultural performances invited by the local government. She founded Sydney Jing Yun Tang to promote traditional Chinese culture and art through online and offline teaching of Peking Opera, nurturing talent worldwide.
Programme Preview
Teacher Wu Yan will perform two Peking Opera pieces at the Maternal Love Evening Gala. The first is the Kunqu opera “The Goddess Splits the Mountain”: centered on the goddess Lei Niang, it tells her story of descending to earth to save her father and eventually becoming sisters with Guanyin. It combines themes of familial love, Buddhist faith, and mythological tales, representing a classic in Kunqu opera.
The second piece, “Exploring the Valley” from the Yang Family Generals story, will showcase powerful vocal performance, sure to captivate the audience.
Singapore Jiayi Baxia City God Temple
Singapore Taoist Orchestra
A renowned Taoist temple in Singapore
With a history of 107 years
The group inherits the authentic Zhaisui ritual music and ceremonies, performing regularly for significant Taoist temples in Singapore, including rituals for worshiping Tai Sui, Zhongyuan Festival, thanking Tai Sui, and celebrating the birthdays of deities.
Actively participating in international events, the group has attended 13 Taoist music festivals in Hong Kong, Taipei, Beijing, and other locations from 2001 to 2017. The group also conducts blessing, soul-delivering, and deity consecration ceremonies for temples in neighboring countries, such as the Cisheng Gong in Malaysia and the Miri Dabogong Temple.
Since its establishment, the Jiayi Baxia City God Temple Music Ensemble has worked to preserve Taoist culture, promote harmony among Singapore’s races and religions, and strengthen international Taoist exchanges.
Programme Preview
Specially invited from Singapore to perform in Sydney, Australia, at the Maternal Love Evening Gala, the musicians will first play “Tai Chi Melody,” followed by chanting “The Three Treasures,” then perform high ritual steps with command flags, and conclude with a salute to the Heavenly Lords, with five high priests taking the stage to bow.
At the blessing banquet, the Singapore Taoist Orchestra’s high priests and musicians will conduct a “Worship of the Thousand Gods” blessing ceremony, praying to the Jade Emperor for divine grace, blessings, and protection for all beings to find joy and avoid suffering.
Sydney’s Renowned Singer-Songwriter Dong Ning
Executive Principal of the Aoyu Cultural Education Training Center
Known as “The Nightingale of the Barracks”
Australia’s “Shepherd of the Koktokay”
Former soloist with the Xinjiang Military Region Cultural Troupe. She is seen as a sympathetic big sister, a sunny humorist, a hospitable and righteous ‘female knight’, a talent-spotting Bole, and a cross-disciplinary planner, host, lyricist, and singer.
In 2020, she wrote the lyrics for “Let Love Return Home,” a song for the COVID-19 pandemic, in collaboration with famous Hubei composer Zhou Manli and Sydney singers, producing a music video.
Upon release, it went viral, achieving over a million views. Many famous singers and artists from China sent video congratulations.
Programme Preview
Teacher Dong Ning will grace the Maternal Love Evening Gala with her beautiful and melodious singing.
Sydney’s Famous Dance Team
Industry Performing Art
Over 30 years of exquisite dance teaching tradition
IPA Performing Arts Academy is a landmark in Sydney’s dance education scene, excelling in competitions and performing locally, interstate, and internationally.
In 2012, 2014, and 2015, the studio traveled to Disneyland in California for entertainment activities. The academy prides itself on offering a wide range of dance courses, providing students with numerous performance and examination opportunities for a comprehensive dance experience.
The teaching team consists of dance professionals working closely together, frequently guided by local and international celebrity choreographers, to offer the broadest dance styles. They are dedicated to helping students experience the joy and achievement of dance, fostering personal development in a friendly, challenging, and encouraging environment.
Programme Preview
The Maternal Love Evening Gala will feature modern jazz and contemporary dance performances by renowned local artists from the IPA Performing Arts Academy, inviting everyone to feel the rhythm of the music and enjoy the vibrant dance atmosphere.
Australian Taoist Association
Australia Taoist Orchestra
A non-profit organization of the Australian Taoist Association
Founded by Ms. Yan Meixi, the owner of the Yaochi Palace of Wealth God Temple in Australia and a New South Wales Justice of the Peace, with great dedication
The Australian Taoist Association aims to gather Australian Taoist elites, promote deep interaction and cooperation among believers, organize religious, educational, and cultural activities, enhance the overseas glory and influence of Taoist culture, and build bridges of friendship and cooperation with Taoist communities and other religious groups worldwide. It focuses on Taoist education to nurture talent and pass on the Taoist tradition.
The Australia Taoist Orchestra, established in 2015, regularly performs at major local government and commercial events in Sydney, including opening blessings, New Year blessings, worshiping Tai Sui, Zhongyuan Festival, thanking Tai Sui, and large-scale cultural evenings, earning the affection of local residents.
Through the association’s Australian Cultural Education Program, a cultural and artistic training center was established to nurture local Australian youth in music, art, language, and philosophy, strengthening the inheritance of Chinese culture.
Programme Preview
As the host, the Australian Taoist Orchestra annually performs at the Maternal Love Evening Gala, showcasing a blend of nearly ten instruments in a concert and blessing performance. This year, the Australian Taoist Orchestra will continue to provide a spectacular and awe-inspiring Taoist music performance for everyone to enjoy.
Get set for the return of a very special cultural event! On Sunday, March 12th, the Concourse Chatswood will hum with activity, colour, live music and performance.
Showcasing a wide range of classic Chinese performances and featuring creative acts that blend Chinese and Western elements, the 2nd “Mother of Mercy” Concert will delight family audiences.
Last year’s gala was a runaway success, with 15,000 online viewers and 450 sold-out seats following 7 months of rehearsals by well-known artists, with great media coverage and support from a terrific range of 30+ corporate sponsors.
The 2023 concert promises to be even bigger and better, with a diverse line-up of performers from traditional lion dancers, martial arts (Kung Fu, Tai Chi), a former professional Beijing Opera actor, the Koala Group choir, violinists and a vibrant hip hop team through to talented musicians who play extraordinary traditional instruments – the Guqin, Pingtan, Erhu and Pipa – all listed as part of World Intangible Cultural Heritage.
An exceptional performance of the sacred “Tao Music Praying for Good luck” will be led by event organiser Master Yan, who is President of the Australian Cultural and Educational Association and a dedicated practitioner of traditional Taoist culture.
This event promises to bring families together in a joyous celebration of traditional family values and Chinese culture.
DATE & TIME: 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2023.
VENUE: The Concourse Chatswood
PARKING: The Concourse carparks
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Buses, trains, and the Metro are all nearby.
For more information, contact 0410 212 858 by phone; or email: yanmeixi821@hotmail.com
The 1st Mother of Mercy – Chinese New Year Gala will be held at The Concourse Chatswood on Saturday 5th March 2022 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, proudly organised by the Australian Academic Alliance and co-organised by Huada Multicultural School.
Australian Academic Alliance hopes to celebrate the Chinese New Year by holding the Mother of Mercy Chinese New Year Gala, to present a cultural feast to the guests with diverse performances, and to promote the loving spirit of grateful mothers.
The Spring Festival is the most important festival and a day for a family reunion for Chinese Culture. Australian Academic Alliance provides a different form of gathering for this season. You and your family can closely enjoy Lion Dance, Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Peking Opera, Taoist Music, Guqin, Guzheng, Chinese Martial Arts other world-class intangible cultural heritage performances from China at The Concourse Chatswood.
Let’s get ready for the world-class cultural feast to celebrate the Year of the Tiger together. We look forward to seeing you!
When
Saturday, 05 March 2022 | 4.30 PM – 6.30 PM
Location
The Concourse – Concert Hall, Chatswood 409 Victoria Ave, Chatswood, NSW 2067
Run Time
Approx. 2 hours
Hurry up! Seats are limited! Buy tickets and get free gifts!
