...I'm astonished and amazed...
Steven Curtis Chapman in concert -- in Shanghai. I never thought I'd live to see this day. I've seen SCC perform in the States before, but it was nothing compared to tonight with what seemed like the entire Xtian community here in Shanghai -- locals and expats alike -- united in praise under one roof.
It was his first performance in China open to the general public, and because of it, I was expecting something watered down -- with the cultural authorities even censoring the recent Rolling Stones gig, what would they do to my beloved SCC? All the local ads introduced him as an "American contemporary musician" with a real heart for orphans and adoption here, without mentioning once a certain "C" word.
And yet what laid in store blew me -- and my other local and expat friends -- away. Short of an altar call, nearly every element and every song that he's known for was featured, with SCC even leading the house in some praise, like "Open the Eyes of my Heart" and "Come, Now is the Time."
On the 20th of May 2006, we all had a taste of heaven as Revelation describes it, with "every tribe and tongue" united in praise. May it be the first of many to come here...
Do my eyes deceive me? Yes, SCC is indeed in Shanghai!
Pudong Oriental Arts Center, Shanghai's newest music venue seating about 2000, with nary an empty seat in the house.
Rock on!
Orphans getting in on the action, thanks to some generous donors. All proceeds from the concert were donated to orphanages.
SCC on keys.
My friend mesmerized.
SCC and the band.
Silent witnesses from above.
SCC with some lucky local kids.
Hands lifted up to Him.
SCC leading locals and expats in a time of P and W... something that's never happened legally before in this country.
Amen, Steven!
Milling about afterwards.
The rest of the pictures from this history-making night.
Comments (8)
Wow! I am still so stunned that the authorities would allow a concert like this. Yet it goes to show how far you can go and how deep of an impact you can have when you really engage and love a community like he has. SCC has probably won so much favor with the authorities by loving the "un-loved" in this society. I love it that all proceeds were donated to the orphans! Thanks for sharing the pics! I'm so bummed that I missed the concert!
Posted by mistaHtam | May 22, 2006 1:41 AM
Posted on May 22, 2006 01:41
Very cool. But y'know what? My bet is that SCC will never be allowed to do this again. It's not a veiled criticism of what happened, but I suspect SCC flew above radar this time. Last time, he performed publicly at Hardrock in BJ... but that was very below-radar. This one though... Anyway, I'm glad you n' everyone got to enjoy this... Thanx 4 sharing! =)
Posted by falanke | May 22, 2006 8:03 AM
Posted on May 22, 2006 08:03
thanks for sharing the pics. I really enjoyed myself that night. Thanks for helping me and my friends to get tickets. All of them had a lot of fun that night.
Posted by Gleefully | May 22, 2006 10:16 AM
Posted on May 22, 2006 10:16
Wow! What a blessing!!!
Posted by jackojunk | May 22, 2006 1:29 PM
Posted on May 22, 2006 13:29
wow. awesome... amazing... speechless. thanks for the pics.
Posted by bigdenis | May 23, 2006 6:16 AM
Posted on May 23, 2006 06:16
wow, awesome!
Posted by joeyguhguh | May 24, 2006 6:05 AM
Posted on May 24, 2006 06:05
AMAZING! this is so great...praise God! thanks for posting!
Posted by bayjeemong | May 24, 2006 7:03 AM
Posted on May 24, 2006 07:03
Thanks for the tips, Mark! :) So if I subscribe to HotSpot VPN 1 instead of HotSpot VPN 2 as you have, do you think that is enough security? thanks! :)
Posted by aimeeeemia | May 29, 2006 11:57 AM
Posted on May 29, 2006 11:57