AUSTIN, Texas—“I got entranced in it,” said Janean Bowen, producer of Electronics Arts games, after seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts with her young daughters at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, Dec. 29.
The New York-based Shen Yun revives 5,000 years of the divinely inspired Chinese culture through music and dance. Brilliant costumes, an animated backdrop, solo vocalists, an orchestra blending East and West, and traditional Chinese dancing come together to take its audiences on a wondrous journey.
Ms. Bowen noted that the culture was deeply spiritual, and said she was touched that Shen Yun brings the culture to the whole world, even as these traditional values aren’t allowed in China.
Under the current regime in China, the divinely inspired culture and arts have been almost destroyed. For eight years now, artists from around the world have been touring internationally with Shen Yun to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.
“I like the blend of heaven, and earth, and people,” Ms. Bowen said. “I think everything is connected.”
According to Shen Yun’s website, ideals such as benevolence and justice, propriety and wisdom, respect for the heavens, and divine retribution are the essence of traditional Chinese culture. Such themes are present throughout the stories told by Shen Yun, which range from ancient scenes on a Tang Dynasty battleground to China today.
“It was really unique,” Ms. Bowen said
‘Fabulous’
Also in the audience was Ms. Alexandria Reilly, owner of the Austin Cruise & Travel franchise, who said she was glad that Shen Yun can be seen by an American audience.
“That’s very important for us to learn,” Ms. Reilly said of Shen Yun’s mission.
Ms. Reilly said it piqued her interest in the matter and she wanted to learn more. The artistry of the performance immediately caught her eye and drew her in.
“Fabulous,” Ms. Reilly said. “The color, the pageantry, the dancing—it was wonderful. We'll be back next year.”
Reporting by Teresa Luo and Catherine Yang
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.
