With Detroit ranking second—only after New York—as the city with the largest theater circuit in the country, it’s not surprising that Shen Yun Performing Arts keeps coming back year after year. Feb. 5-8 will be the eighth time that Detroit will host the company, and last year the city treated Shen Yun to full-houses.
Returning to the historic Detroit Opera House, Shen Yun will bring its exquisite depiction of traditional Chinese culture and values to the Motor City.
Each year New York-based Shen Yun tours five continents. Its International Company, one of its four separate companies, began its 2015 tour in Canada and then moved on to the Midwest. It first visited Dayton, Ohio, where it amazed audiences with its lavish production.
“I was in awe,” said Robin Titus, a Navy Reserve chief, who saw the Dayton performance opening night. “I was overwhelmed with the production.”
Paula Kirkland, a former ballroom dancer, noted the “flexibility, the grace, the poise,” of the dancers. “It is incredible.”
Supported by an orchestra that uniquely blends Chinese and Western instruments, Shen Yun presents treasured legends which are told through classical Chinese dance. The company also showcases folk and ethnic dances that present China’s rich diversity. Thus, the performance can actually teach audiences about China’s history and culture.
“I think the value of understanding Chinese culture is very important,” said Bill Duncan, the mayor of Oakwood, who attended Dayton’s second performance.
Lydia Denslow, a finance manager for a Dayton bank, felt the stories told during the performance were “truly beautiful and moving, very moving and emotional.”
Other Daytonians were simply impressed with the beauty of the performance.
“I’m going to remember the beauty forever,” said Peggy Fout, a retired elementary school teacher.
Saying goodbye to Dayton just means hello to Detroit, where Shen Yun will receive another warm welcome.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reaction since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
