Theatergoer Applauds Shen Yun for Bravery in Standing Up to Communism
Jan 21, 2024
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Chris and Patricia Kopf attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Memorial Auditorium at Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, N.C., on Jan. 20, 2024. (Yeawen Hung/The Epoch Times)
RALEIGH, N.C.—Shen Yun Performing Arts performed at the Memorial Auditorium at Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Jan. 20 to an enraptured audience.
Chris and Patricia Kopf especially enjoyed the “smooth and beautiful” dance movements, and the colors on stage amazed them.
Mr. Kopf, who works in the United States military, said he especially enjoyed the dance with the flowing sleeves, “Sleeves of Grace.”
Mrs. Kopf said, “It’s surprising how the colors burst forth.”
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive 5,000 years of traditional culture that had been lost after communism came to dominate China.
Mrs. Kopf said that she loved the artists’ bravery in standing against the communist regime in China. “It’s scary to think of what they’re going through. It’s really difficult to think about the atrocities that happen.”
Mr. Kopf noted how much traditional Chinese culture incorporates spirituality. “I was just thinking about how they can integrate their beliefs and getting to watch some of that. I grew up always watching the karate movies in the early 80s. It’s just fun to watch and get to live a little bit of what they believe in. So yes, it’s a fun show.”
Mrs. Kopf commended the performers for their hard work. “I just would like to congratulate [the performers] on such a wonderful performance and all their hard work and training. I know it’s very taxing on them physically and emotionally, and the amazing amount of work that they’ve put into it. So I'd like to thank them for that.”
Shen Yun’s Performance ‘Mesmerizing’
Lee Alexander and Ann Bailey attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Memorial Auditorium at Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, N.C., on Jan. 20, 2024. (Yeawen Hung/The Epoch Times)
Lee Alexander and Ann Bailey attended Shen Yun’s performance in Raleigh, North Carolina. Mr. Alexander, a director for Habitat for Humanity and owner of an acupuncture clinic, was very pleased by the show. “We didn’t know what to expect, so this was a very pleasant surprise.”
Ms. Bailey said she liked the dance of the flowers and how beautiful the colors were. “The yellow flowers with the green dresses. That was a very beautiful picture.” With the colors on stage, she felt an elegant energy from the dance. “Kind of mesmerizing, I would say,” is how she described it.
Mr. Alexander said coming to Shen Yun was his idea as he wanted to see it for several years. “I’ve wanted to see [Shen Yun] for a few years, and I’m just happy that we did.”
He supports Shen Yun’s mission to revive traditional culture in today’s world. “I think it’s admirable, and I think it’s a worthwhile endeavor,” he said.
With shows scheduled in over 200 cities and across five continents, the 2024 touring season is shaping up to be the artists’ busiest yet.
To the performers, Ms. Bailey said, “They’re doing an amazing job.”
