BERKELEY, Calif.—Retired Air Force Colonel and former Novato City Mayor Bill Cope said, “I think [Shen Yun Performing Arts] is great,” after watching the performance at the Berkeley Zellerbach Hall on Jan. 6.
Colonel Cope has been an admirer of Shen Yun for many years evidenced by his regular attendance at Shen Yun performances during many previous tours in the San Francisco Bay Area, five in total.
Since the Shen Yun Performing Arts team aims to create all new dance numbers and music each year, loyal fans like Colonel Cope will always find something new. “They have a new show each year,” remarked the former Mayor.
So what keeps bringing this discerning theatergoer back each year?
“For me, it’s a chance to learn a lot about … Eastern culture. Things that I am not exposed to, see or do normally. I also liked the classical music, the dancing, the costumes, and the pageantry,” As the former Mayor sees it, Shen Yun is a window into a new culture.
Colonel Cope also appreciates seeing the ancient and deep roots of Chinese culture in the performance, “I like the stories and the history that they tell. You’re talking about 5,000 years, the United States has only been around for 227 years, big difference. I think [the long history] makes it very culturally entertaining and inspirational.
“For 5,000 years divine culture flourished in the land of China. Humanity’s treasure was nearly lost, but through breathtaking music and dance, Shen Yun is bringing back this glorious culture,” states the Shen Yun website.
Shen Yun has inspired the Colonel Cope to possibly take up learning another language.
“I’m multilingual, I speak 4 languages, but I don’t speak Mandarin,” remarked Colonel Cope, “Now I need to learn some Mandarin!”
Reporting by NTD Television and Chun Lee
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.
