LOS ANGELES—The leader of the U.S. Army’s recruiting battalion for Los Angeles and his second in command saw the Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company on Jan. 13 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Lieutenant Colonel Rob Blankenship said, “This was an incredible performance! I can’t believe they were able to get everything done.”
Lt. Col. Blankenship said he was intrigued by the way the live performers interacted with the projected backdrops. The projection creates an illusion that dancers enter and emerge from it. “It’s a performance that baffles the mind. Especially the interaction between the live performance and the video was incredible.”
The event at The Music Center was “an absolutely wonderful show,” he said. He particularly praised the dancers for their skill. “They did a great job, I must admit. I wish I was ever that flexible, but I don’t think I ever was.”
The much-decorated officer included other aspects of the show in his praise: “They did a marvelous job on all accounts. The costumes, everything was exquisite.”
His second in command, Command Sergeant Major Richard Lopez, said, “I thought the show was extraordinary. A very dynamic performance.”
Both officers said they found the show very educational. Neither man had seen Shen Yun before. “I appreciate the opportunity to learn about the culture. This was my very first interaction with this type of activity that brings in five thousand years of culture. So that was very educational for me,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Lopez.
Lt. Col. Blankenship said, “I really learned a lot about Chinese culture and history.” He was “glad to be a part of it and witness it.” Shen Yun is based in New York and was established to revive China’s 5,000-year-old culture.
“The Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion encompasses nearly 2,613 square miles with a total population of over 9,500,000,” according to its website. It was activated in 1964, with the mission “To recruit with integrity the highest quality men and women into the United States Army while taking care of all Soldiers and Family members of our command.”
With reporting by NTD
Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company will perform at The Music Center through Jan. 14.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3WTKCEA4tE[/video]
