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COSTA MESA, Calif.—Grace Hu, former mayor of Cerritos, and Bill Hu, retired aerospace engineer and current bank director, saw Shen Yun Performing Arts’ sold out afternoon performance at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts on Saturday, Jan. 19.
Mr. and Ms. Hu said they enjoyed the traditional Chinese culture in the performance very much. Mr. Hu was born in China. “I feel right at home,” he said.
Grace Hu, former mayor of Cerritos, and Bill Hu, retired aerospace engineer and current bank director, "felt right at home" while watching Shen Yun. (Sophia Fang/The Epoch Times)
Shen Yun showcases classical Chinese dance, along with ethnic and folk dances, solo singers and musicians, and a live orchestra accompaniment. Its mission is to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture, according to the company’s website.
Ms. Hu said she enjoyed the extraordinary skills of the dancers the most.
The couple thought the performance was well worth the price of the tickets. “I highly recommend it,” said Mr. Hu. “We will come back next year.” Shen Yun presents an all-new performance every year.
John Zakany, retired real estate worker, and Susan Zakany, retired Macy’s worker, made the trip from Newport to see Shen Yun as well.
Mr. Zakany said, “We loved the performance. It was full of color, vibrant.”
“Mesmerizing,” said Ms. Zakany.
Shen Yun’s website says Chinese classical dance was born out of traditional aesthetics. Passed down among China’s people in imperial courts and through ancient plays, the art form slowly developed over thousands of years.
John Zakany, retired real estate worker, and wife Susan from Newport Beach were "mesmerized" by Shen Yun. (Sophia Fang/The Epoch Times)
The dance also impressed the Zakany couple. “The dancing is amazing—it was fun, it was invigorating,” said Mr. Zakany.
Shen Yun’s solo vocalists sing in the challenging bel canto style; the lyrics are translated on the digital backdrop behind them.
While the first soprano was singing, Mr. Zakany said he shed a tear. He said he liked the words in the song “Returning to Heaven Is the Other Shore.”
“A thousand years of waiting, ten thousand years of longing,” are the first two lines. “Because the whole mankind, we’ve been waiting for something,” said Mr. Zakany.
The couple said they thought Shen Yun was very spiritual and profound.
Reporting by Sophia Fang and Sarah Le.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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