SAN JOSÉ, Calif.—Shen Yun Performing Arts gave its second show at the San José Center for Performing Arts on May 16, celebrating 5,000 years of Chinese traditional culture.
Ms. Day, owner of her own dance studio, teaches ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and lyrical. She attended the show with her mother.
This was the first time she has ever seen a show such as this, and she exclaimed that the show is “Very impressive—the costumes, the lighting, and the dancers are amazing!”
Her favorites were “the chopstick dance [Mongolian Chopsticks] and the drummers so far. Maybe because it’s so different than the stuff that I am used to.”
She added that “We’re not used to doing props,” referring to her own experience with dance.
With the help of the two commentators, she learned much from the performance, saying that she “learned a story of history—I just thought that it would be dancing and cultural. But it’s a lot more than just dancing. It’s the history.
“I see how it’s very different from ballet, how there is different postures and technique. It’s definitely a different art form.”
She added that Shen Yun “inspires me—it’s bigger than just what I know—it’s around the world—it’s exciting.”
Her mother, Ms. Burns, works with costuming in her daughter’s studio and has a long background of costuming. Her first comment was that the show was “very good” and “absolutely phenomenal.”
She added, “I am enjoying it very much—it’s something very different than I am used to with American ballet, tap, and jazz.
“The commentator coming out and helping us out ... The costumes are beautiful—I am a costumer at heart. The costumers are great, and how quickly they change, and everything flows on the stage—the dancers are phenomenal—absolutely phenomenal.”
The Shen Yun costumes are handcrafted and are all original creations.
Ms. Burns said, “Its just fantastic. Costumes are just great, and how quickly they transitioned from one scene to another in the same group. You recognize the same people, [and] how quickly they transfer—it’s great.”
Shen Yun also features moving backdrops that provide an unparalleled amount of interaction with the dancers and the stage. Many of the backdrops are hand-painted.
“I am very impressed with that. In the war scene with the fire [Loyalty of Yue Fei], ... It really helps with the story. You get into the performing arts telling a story. So the backdrop really helps with the storyline—it really does.”
Heaven Awaits Despite Persecution tells the story of a father who is persecuted for his belief in Falun Dafa, a spiritual practice that has been persecuted in China for the past 10 years. The story offers hope at the end, confirming the old adage that good people are ultimately rewarded.
Ms. Burns said that she was touched by the scene “When they came out and took the father away. That’s something that is present day—that got to you. … It definitely touches your heartstrings.”
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Shen Yun Performing Arts Spring Tour 2009. For more information please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
Ms. Day, owner of her own dance studio, teaches ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and lyrical. She attended the show with her mother.
This was the first time she has ever seen a show such as this, and she exclaimed that the show is “Very impressive—the costumes, the lighting, and the dancers are amazing!”
Her favorites were “the chopstick dance [Mongolian Chopsticks] and the drummers so far. Maybe because it’s so different than the stuff that I am used to.”
She added that “We’re not used to doing props,” referring to her own experience with dance.
With the help of the two commentators, she learned much from the performance, saying that she “learned a story of history—I just thought that it would be dancing and cultural. But it’s a lot more than just dancing. It’s the history.
“I see how it’s very different from ballet, how there is different postures and technique. It’s definitely a different art form.”
She added that Shen Yun “inspires me—it’s bigger than just what I know—it’s around the world—it’s exciting.”
Her mother, Ms. Burns, works with costuming in her daughter’s studio and has a long background of costuming. Her first comment was that the show was “very good” and “absolutely phenomenal.”
She added, “I am enjoying it very much—it’s something very different than I am used to with American ballet, tap, and jazz.
“The commentator coming out and helping us out ... The costumes are beautiful—I am a costumer at heart. The costumers are great, and how quickly they change, and everything flows on the stage—the dancers are phenomenal—absolutely phenomenal.”
The Shen Yun costumes are handcrafted and are all original creations.
Ms. Burns said, “Its just fantastic. Costumes are just great, and how quickly they transitioned from one scene to another in the same group. You recognize the same people, [and] how quickly they transfer—it’s great.”
Shen Yun also features moving backdrops that provide an unparalleled amount of interaction with the dancers and the stage. Many of the backdrops are hand-painted.
“I am very impressed with that. In the war scene with the fire [Loyalty of Yue Fei], ... It really helps with the story. You get into the performing arts telling a story. So the backdrop really helps with the storyline—it really does.”
Heaven Awaits Despite Persecution tells the story of a father who is persecuted for his belief in Falun Dafa, a spiritual practice that has been persecuted in China for the past 10 years. The story offers hope at the end, confirming the old adage that good people are ultimately rewarded.
Ms. Burns said that she was touched by the scene “When they came out and took the father away. That’s something that is present day—that got to you. … It definitely touches your heartstrings.”
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Shen Yun Performing Arts Spring Tour 2009. For more information please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
