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All but lost in the East, the essence of an age-old culture rises in the West. This is Part 9 of a nine-part series that explores traditional Chinese culture to reveal a deeper understanding of the genius of New York-based classical Chinese dance company Shen Yun Performing Arts. View the whole series HERE.
A colorful display of thousand of years of Chinese culture amazed audience members attending a sold-out performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company at the David H. Koch Theater in the Lincoln Center, New York. (Dai Bing/The Epoch Times)
It would seem nearly unattainable to “revive 5,000 years of divinely inspired Chinese culture” as is stated in New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts’ mission statement. Yet with three equally large touring dance companies simultaneously crisscrossing the world, Shen Yun has been doing just that, earning new fans from all walks of life one show at a time since 2006.
Last year, Shen Yun traveled to 100 cities in 30 countries, and is pushing even further in 2012.
Last weekend alone, Shen Yun wowed tens of thousands of audience members in three of North America’s most important cultural centers: New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto. Sold-out shows led audience members to gush—including CEOs, those from the arts and fashion communities, and government officials—Shen Yun enchanted them all.
This begs the question how a performance can be hailed by such a diverse set of people? Therein lies the magic of Shen Yun. It appeals equally to people of all nationalities, ages, and professions.
Such wide appeal is the sign of truly universal artistic work that combines the best of what is modern and what is traditional. While the highest standards for the dancers and musicians are met in the most traditional ways, Shen Yun also incorporates the best of innovation—utilizing groundbreaking visual effects that accentuate and thrill.
Below is a sampling of audience feedback from the performances held Jan. 11–15 in Los Angeles, New York City, and Toronto.
Los Angeles
Sean O'Bryne and Kym Wilson, were among the enchanted theatergoers at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Friday night, for the sold-out opening performance of Shen Yun. (Courtesy of SOH Radio Network)
A doorway to another world … No one can do the kind of dancing that they do.
It’s awesome … spectacular… I got really inspired and I had to come back and see the show once again.”
—Victoria Ananyan, soloist, San Francisco Ballet (after seeing the show two days in a row)
New York City
Kelly Lin, a virtuoso pianist, attended the Sunday afternoon performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. (Courtesy of NTD Television)
Once the opening piece started, I was truly moved. … The whole scene was splendid, and the music—oh, my—tears just dropped.
When I watched it, I was exposed to art that feeds the spiritual side.
Toronto
Kitchener-Centre MP Stephen Woodworth saw his second Shen Yun performance Wednesday night and said it offered a reminder of hope and courage. (Courtesy of NTD Television)
Such pageantry and color and movement, it’s just a sheer delight to watch.
The show is fantastic. … The music is quite unique. … “It’s soothing, almost medicinal.
For more information about Shen Yun Performing Arts and Chinese culture, please visit: Shenyunperformingarts.org/learn
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts, which will return to Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater April 18–22.
To learn more about Shen Yun Performing Arts and Chinese culture, view a calendar of Shen Yun’s 2012 world tour, and for ticket information, please visit www.shenyunperformingarts.org.
