RALEIGH, N.C.—The Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company, the New York-based premier classical Chinese dance company, amazed the audience on Feb. 7 at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.
John McClendon, Family Life Center Director at Hayes Barton Baptist Church, came with his wife to see Shen Yun Performing Arts.
“It was breath-taking. It was unbelievable. They were so accomplished and they were so athletic. The music was wonderful. The singers were wonderful. They were absolutely marvelous,” said Mr. McClendon.
According to Shen Yun’s website, “Shen Yun’s mini-drama pieces draw upon stories and legends that span China’s history from the Yellow Emperor and through the Tang and Song dynasties and all the way to the modern day,”
His wife, Mrs. McClendon, really like the piece titled Lotus Leaves. She said, “It was very pretty.”
“The costumes were absolutely beautiful and colorful,” said Mr. McClendon.
Mrs. McClendon said, “The performers were very beautiful.”
It is said the genuine Chinese culture was handed down by the heavens and in Shen Yun, “every dance embodies traditional Chinese values. Ideals of loyalty, filial piety, and veneration for the divine are cherished and celebrated,” states the company’s website.
Mr. McClendon was especially touched by the last piece in Shen Yun’s Tuesday night performance.“It was wonderful,” he said.
In fact, he found inspiration in it: “Someone much higher than us is in charge of everything, and all we have to do is reach out to him and He will protect us,” he said.
Mr. Clendon said that by reaching out to what is higher, his understanding is “to enjoy life, love people, and wrap your arms around people, all people,” he said.
Reporting by Yang Chen and Kelly Ni.
Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company will be at the Broward Center for Performing Arts, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Feb. 10–12.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
