DC Charities Host Shen Yun Post-Show Cast Reception

Congressman Kucinich speaks at the Shen Yun post-show cast reception at the Kennedy Center on January 20, 2010. (John Yu/The Epoch Times)

WASHINGTON—Following the Shen Yun Performing Arts show at the Kennedy Center Opera House on January 20, a number of Washington charities hosted a 300-strong cast reception held at the Kennedy Center rooftop Atrium.

Among the sponsors for the event were the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, the Asia Vision Foundation, New Tang Dynasty Television, and DC Magazine. Event patrons enjoyed the opportunity to mingle with a number of the Shen Yun artists, including principal dancers Michelle Ren and Timothy Wu.

"The artistic performance that we had an opportunity to see this evening was striking in so many ways, and one continues to search for superlatives to describe the motion, the form … the music, and everything about it that is so inspiring," said Congressman Dennis Kucinich, speaking to the room.

"That we are in the Kennedy Center is perfect for this performance, because it was President Kennedy who spoke of how the arts ennoble the human spirit and elevate our condition, and so as we celebrate the work of Shen Yun and the wonderful artists who entertained us tonight, pouring out their heart and their spirit—let us always remember that behind that is the elevation of the human condition, behind that is what connects us to things that transcend this world."

The Shen Yun post-show cast reception at the Kennedy Center on January 20, 2010. Over 300 attended. (John Yu/The Epoch Times)

Shen Yun performed at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday in its second of a seven-show run at the venue. Themes of heavenly realms, enchanting dreams, and the classic struggle between good and evil are found throughout the performance.

"And so as we celebrate Shen Yun let us remember the deeper message behind their presence and applaud it, and thank them," emphasized Rep. Kucinich.

Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, former Congressman Richard Swett, and former Senator Robert Kasten also attended the event, along with numerous Washington philanthropists and socialites, among them Pat Skantze, Annie Totah, and Alexine Jackson.

Mrs. Skantze, wearing one of her gorgeous trademark hats, was enthralled by the performance:

Washington celebrity Pat Skantze wears one of her gorgeous trademark hats at the Shen Yun post-show cast reception on January 20, 2010. (Jan Jekielek/The Epoch Times)

"The precision of the dancers–and I couldn’t help but thinking, as a former dancer – how much time it must have taken to rehearse and have that precision down so perfectly. The costumes were spectacular. And the music – to have that full orchestra is a real treat. I thoroughly enjoyed it; it was quite an evening," she told this reporter.

Rep. Swett, representing the Lantos Foundation, also had a chance to speak before the room:

"These are the artistic traditions of an old China—a China that had the principles and the values that so many of us believe in and so many of us feel so deeply about all our lives. To see the ways that these are portrayed and to understand that we are actually being exposed to a China that many of us have never seen, is, I think, a truly wonderful experience that connects us to that country in a way that couldn’t happen in any other form," he observed.

"I want to congratulate the Shen Yun cast and all of the producers, and the parents, and people who have been participants in making this possible. We want to wish you from the Lantos Foundation continued success—keep that show going on—the show must go on! And thank you so much for the wonderful spirit that you bring into the world everywhere that you go. Thank you very much!"

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. For more information, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org