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Joe Harrell attended the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts on January 4. He said he enjoyed the artistic style of Classical Chinese dance. (Jasper Fakkert/Epoch Times Staff)
SAN JOSE, Calif.—Joe Harrell took his wife and friends to see Shen Yun Performing Arts at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts on Jan. 4.
Mr. Harrell, who used to work as a satellite system engineer for Lockheed Martin, normally enjoys watching classical performances, says that he was impressed by the artistry of classical Chinese dance.
“Very colorful, I really enjoyed it very much, the artistic style,” Mr. Harrell said.
Mr. Harrell says that the performance gave him new insight into China’s history, whilst taking him on a journey through China’s different dynasties.
He appreciated how the masters of ceremony of the performance gave a short introduction before each piece. “They let us know where they’re are going with each of the scenes and dynasties,” Mr. Harrell said.
With classical Chinese dance as its hallmark, New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has a mission to revive 5,000 years of Chinese culture. Classical Chinese dance has a history of thousands of years and consists of a complete system of dance, making it one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world, the company website said.
Mr. Harrell says watching the the dancing gave him a “very calm and enjoyable” feeling.
The costumes worn by the performers were something that stood out for Mr. Harrell “I like the bright colors … the color and the flowing style of it.”
The performance is accompanied by the Shen Yun Performing Arts Orchestra, which is unique as it seamlessly combines the sounds from the East and West. It has a Western philharmonic orchestra as the foundation but contains Chinese instruments as well.
Mr. Harrell said he appreciated the music. “I think it was very lighthearted but at the same time it keeps your attention,” he said.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun’s Touring Company will be performing in San Jose through Jan. 6. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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