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HOUSTON—Shen Yun Performing Arts’ traditional costumes were what drew business owner Ms. Risty Durbin to the performance at the Jones Hall for Performing Arts in Houston on Dec. 28.
“The dresses are so beautiful,” said Ms. Durbin. The New York-based company’s dancers don robes of brilliant colors, accurately representing each dynasty and region portrayed in the dances. Being of Asian heritage, Ms. Durbin said she could relate to the ethnic and folk dances, and found the live music touching.
Listening to the music, “I become emotional sometimes,” Ms. Durbin said. The Shen Yun Orchestra is a unique blend of classical Chinese and Western philharmonic instruments, with instruments like the pipa, or Chinese lute.
Also in the audience was Ms. Digna Flor, who had her first encounter of Chinese culture through Shen Yun and understood it through the art form.
“It’s just amazing how everything is so well coordinated, from the costumes to the music,” Ms. Flor said. “It’s just the way they’re relating it to the culture, the Chinese culture. It’s just how everything is translated to the culture, and I love learning about different cultures.”
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture through the arts, which is believed to be divinely inspired.
“Although we all have different dances, I think Chinese dances and music has a lot of discipline. It’s just unreal,” Ms. Flor said. “I hope to have them back in Houston again, because I would definitely come again.”
Reporting by NTD Television and Catherine Yang.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun’s International Company will be performing in Houston through January 1. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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