Florida Officials Welcome Shen Yun to Orlando

Gov. Charlie Crist wished the performing arts company a successful world tour. (flgov.com)

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts returns to Florida with its first-ever performance in Orlando, at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday, June 30.

The January performances in Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, and Jacksonville marked Shen Yun’s third consecutive year of touring Florida. In recognition, federal, state, and local officials sent letters to welcome Shen Yun and thank the local hosting organizations—New Times Culture and Education Center and Falun Dafa Practitioners Association of Florida.

Officials again sent greetings to welcome Shen Yun back for its Orlando debut.

Gov. Charlie Crist wished the performing arts company a successful world tour. “Celebrating the excellence and grandeur of classical Chinese dance and music, Shen Yun endeavors to renew a largely lost cultural tradition that honors human dignity and virtue,” he wrote.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson welcomed Shen Yun’s “presentation of traditional Chinese dance and music.” “This tribute celebrates China’s customs and allows us to better understand and appreciate our diversity,” he wrote in a greeting.

‘Wonderful Reviews’

“Through expressive dance and music, Shen Yun Performing Arts continues to provide a window on centuries of Chinese culture,” wrote U.S. Sen. George S. LeMieux. He said that the production would “connect families across Central Florida with China’s traditional arts and heritage.”

State Rep. Chris Dorworth congratulated the New Times Culture and Education Center for bringing Shen Yun to Central Florida: “To reveal the character and virtue of the traditional Chinese culture in this manner is awe-inspiring,” he wrote. “Shen Yen has received wonderful reviews from all over the world.”

“Shen Yun preserves traditional Chinese folklore, songs, and dances, and shares them in a way that promotes understanding and appreciation,” State Rep. Dean Cannon wrote.

State Rep. Scott Plakon described Shen Yun as “an inspiration to all celebrating the excellence and grandeur of classical Chinese dance and music.”

Shen Yun Day

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer proclaimed June 30 as Shen Yun Day in Orlando. Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty, Orlando City Council member Patty Sheehan, and city commissioners Phil Diamond and Daisy W. Lynum all sent welcoming letters as did Orange County Commissioner Bill Segal.

The mayors of the neighboring cities of Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, Ocoee, Oviedo, and South Daytona also officially welcomed Shen Yun to Central Florida and recognized its contribution to promoting traditional Chinese culture and values through the performing arts.

Each year, Shen Yun, formerly known as Divine Performing Arts, presents an all-new program of original dances, songs, costumes, and orchestral arrangements.

Shen Yun has three touring companies. During the 2010 World Tour, they will perform before live audiences, with close to 350 shows in over 100 cities on five continent.

Each touring company features its own orchestra that produces all-original music—a unique blend of classical Western and Chinese instruments.

The Orlando show is scheduled for Wednesday, June 30, 7:30 p.m., at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, the venue for concerts, Broadway shows, ballet, and opera in downtown Orlando.

After the Orlando show, Shen Yun will perform in 11 other cities during July and August, including three cities in Texas; five California cities; Atlanta; Westchester County, N.Y.; and Washington, D.C.

  For more information, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org