ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—At Shen Yun Performing Arts’ second night in Popejoy Hall, the Dee family had an enjoyable and edifying experience, learning and celebrating China’s vast culture.
Patrick Dee, a community relations executive at a bank, and his wife, Debi, brought their daughter Makayla, who was adopted from China.
In the course of a Shen Yun performance, one covers a lot of ground—from ancient legends, to historical tales, to stories happening in modern China. All these stories are told through classical Chinese dance, and set to music.
“Very artistic,” said Mr. Dee of the performance. “I especially liked some of the bright colored costumes.”
His wife agreed: “Beautiful. Their costumes are wonderful.”
Shen Yun’s famous costumes are the product of much hard work. The Shen Yun website describes: “Shen Yun’s costume artists collect countless designs of traditional attire, ranging from those of emperors, ministers, and generals to the everyday clothing of the common people. They use bright colors to tailor and recreate hundreds of new pieces each season.”
The mission of Shen Yun is to revive China’s 5,000-year-old culture, which has been all but destroyed by the current communist regime in China.
“A lot of the dances have given us some extra perspective on the Chinese culture,” said Mr. Dee.
Because their daughter is from China, “we’ve tried to learn something about it, but this helps give some of the history behind it,” he said. The family celebrates Chinese holidays with her, as well.
Makayla had a good time, as well.
“I really enjoyed it,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun to watch and I love the costumes.”
Mrs. Dee said she would tell her friends to come, “because it’s amazing and beautiful. And it’s fun. I love the sense of humor that is in part of it.”
Reporting by Jane Yang and Ben Bendig.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world.
Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company is scheduled to perform at the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona, March 10, and at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, March 15–17. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
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