SAN FRANCISCO–Shen Yun Performing Arts was sold out on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 8, the last of its seven San Francisco shows at the War Memorial Opera House.
Attending were Jerry Henderson and his wife Pat, who run a hotel review website called BeachesBeaches.com, based out of Sacramento.
While watching an opera a few months ago, they had seen information on the upcoming Shen Yun performances, which showcase traditional Chinese culture, portrayed through classical Chinese dance and music.
Mr. Henderson said that it was a “totally different kind of theatrical experience” from what they had expected, describing it as “absolutely fascinating.”
The dances help to tell the story of traditional Chinese culture as it once was: a study in grace, wisdom, and the virtues distilled from five millennia of Chinese civilization, according to Shen Yun’s website.
“The fact that it’s very traditional and classical Chinese dance—so not only has it been exciting to watch, it’s very educational as well,” said Mr. Henderson.
Mrs. Henderson was very impressed by the handmade costumes, and also the dancing which she found “so different,” mentioning the piece Sleeves of Silk, in which the female dancers wear “water sleeves” extending from their arms, a unique feature of classical Chinese dance.
“The costumes are amazing, particularly the sleeves, the dance with the sleeves, but I’ve also enjoyed the men dancing,” she said.
The couple plan to tell some Chinese friends of theirs, who have not yet seen Shen Yun, about the show. They noted that the artists currently cannot perform in mainland China due to oppression of the traditional arts by the communist regime.
Reporting by Abraham Thompson and Cassie Ryan.
Shen Yun’s New York Company will continue on to Costa Mesa and then Los Angeles, starting January 11. Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3WTKCEA4tE[/video]
