NEW ORLEANS—Lance Branch, CEO of the Branch Group, a financial advisory firm, and his wife, Natalia Branch, saw Shen Yun on its first visit to New Orleans, Feb. 18. “This is really interesting, this is wonderful. We are really enjoying it—its beautiful colors, and it’s really enjoyable to learn about the culture,” said Mrs. Branch.
Mrs. Branch said she works for Shell Oil Company and many of her colleagues are from the East. She said, “I have a global role where I travel to the East, the Americas and Europe.” She was glad to learn more about Chinese culture.
“Through its vivid presentation of dance, music, and storytelling, Shen Yun introduces viewers to the spiritual essence of traditional Chinese culture, conveying themes such as benevolence and justice, propriety and wisdom, respect for the heavens, and divine retribution,” according to Shen Yun’s website.
Mr. Branch said the culture, founded in China’s divinely inspired heritage, was amazing.
“The dance … it’s absolutely incredible, the art, it’s very intriguing—to say the least,” he said.
“We wish we would have taken our 7-year-old,” Mrs. Branch said. “He could have learned a lot. Next time.”
“Based in New York, Shen Yun was established by artists from around the world to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, almost lost to a few decades of communist rule,” the website reads.
From the start to the end, Mr. Branch enjoyed everything Shen Yun had to offer.
“The drums at the beginning were incredible and then towards the end ... that was incredible,” Mr. Branch said.
Struck by the costumes, Mrs. Branch admired “the silk dresses and all the gowns. It’s just so beautiful to get to see and really be immersed in that culture,” she said.
“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 website says.
“Every detail is given meticulous attention and is a result of artistic inspiration and careful polishing. The designers stress harmonic balance and contrast. Their objective is an authentic presentation of the attire that comes from China’s divinely inspired traditional culture, and a consummate stage effect.”
Mr. Branch said the Saengar Theatre just reopened Sept. 27 of last year “and it’s amazing. We wish [Shen Yun] would all come back every year thank you.”
Reporting by NTD Television and Raiatea Tahana-Reese
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.
The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
