WASHINGTON-Audience members gasped in wonder as dancers of the Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company performed Nymphs of the Sea at Sunday’s final show at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Opera House in Washington D.C.
According to Chinese legend, sea nymphs appear only to those who are pure of heart. They dance among the waves with graceful, flowing movements, and their dances are said to sooth the souls of their viewers.
The Shen Yun performers held trailing silk fans as they glided across the stage. The flowing turquoise fabric appeared like waves, lapping against the seashore.
Ten year-old Olivia Bell said Nymphs of the Sea, was her favorite dance. “I like that one most because it’s blue and stuff. I like the color blue,” she said. She especially liked the fans.
Her mother, Ms. Bell said the show “was great. It was very eye-catching, it kept your attention." She added that she also enjoyed the Chopstick Dance [Mongolian Chopsticks].”
Their friend Ms. Criddle said “All of the costumes were awesome. I thought the costumes were wonderful, and just the music was good, so I enjoyed that a lot… [The music was] very soothing, very lyrical. You could distinguish each instrument if you’re into music, ..., and the choreography along with the music was wonderful, wonderfully done.
Olivia’s dance teacher had been to see Shen Yun yesterday and highly recommended it to the family.
Ms. Landa, from Cuba, retired from an Inter-American Development Bank, was also enraptured by the Shen Yun performance. She exclaimed, “Ooooo, I loved the show. I think it was beautiful, I enjoyed it very much. I could spend more hours watching the show. It was beautiful.”
“I think it is very good for the new generation to see the older traditions, so this is a very good thing for the younger generation."
Ms. Landa was very grateful she heard about Shen Yun.
“Someone came and said this [Shen Yun] is a wonderful show, so I talked to my friends and they said, 'Well, let’s go,' so we came and we are very glad. The show was beautiful."
When she heard that Shen Yun will be back in Washington in January, she said. “Oh, well, I will tell my friends. Maybe we will come back because I love it.”
June Kellum contributed to this article.
The show was the last of six public performances at the Kennedy Center, the company will return to perform an entirely program in January.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. For more information please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
