COLUMBUS, Ohio—Eleni Makkas, Apollo’s Greek Kitchen owner, was very happy to see Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Ohio Theatre. Mrs. Makkas found the performance very nice and really enjoyed the color combinations. “I feel happy. It’s astonishing,” said Mrs. Makkas.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts is the world’s premier classical Chinese music and dance company. It is said that Chinese culture is divinely inspired and Shen Yun’s mission is to restore the 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture, which was nearly destroyed by the communists in China.
A performance by Shen Yun is a presentation of traditional Chinese culture as it once was: a study in grace, wisdom, and the virtues distilled from the five millennia of Chinese civilization, according to Shen Yun’s website.
Mrs. Makkas was uplifted by the performance. “It makes me happy,” said Mrs. Makkas who found the overall combinations and movements of the artist striking.
“The whole thing is beautiful,” said Mrs. Makkas.
Mrs. Makkas’s restaurant has served Greek food for nearly 40 years and is nestled near the Ohio Union at the Ohio State University. Professors and students are regulars at Mrs. Makkas restaurant and the food is handmade daily, according to an interview with The Lantern, Ohio’s State newspaper.
Mrs. Makkas is Greek and acquainted with the Mediterranean Sea and said she was surprised during the last piece of the performance and kindled a connection back home. “It reminded me of the Mediterranean a little bit because I’m Greek. It’s wonderful,” said Mrs. Makkas.
Mrs. Makkas said the performance has made her life happy finding joy and enjoyment in the performance.
Mrs. Makkas first heard of Shen Yun in New York many Christmases ago. This year Mrs. Makkas told her friend, “Let’s go see it!” she said.
Hari Louvakis, an OBGYN physician, said her friend, Mrs. Makkas, called her and “she told me that it’s … it’s exceptionally beautiful.”
Mrs. Louvakis work as a physician focuses on giving care and compassion, and creating a trusting relationship with women to meet their healthcare needs, according to her company’s website.
“I love the formations and the dance and how complex it is. The colors are absolutely beautiful,” said Mrs. Louvakis.
Mrs. Louvakis enjoyed the different qualities in the male and female dancers. “The male dance is a little bit stronger, and the female is romantic and calming,” said Mrs. Louvakis.
Mrs. Louvakis was very impressed by the culture in the performance and found the Taiwanese piece striking.
Shen Yun’s one-of-a-kind orchestra, with its all-original compositions, blends East and West like no other, according to the website. Instruments from the East include the erhu and pipa and from the West are strings, percussion, woodwinds, and brass.
“They are wonderful,” said Mrs. Louvakis.
Reporting by Kevin Peng and Kelly Ni.
Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York, tours the world on a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture.
For more information visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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