DETROIT—Nine family members, one of whom flew from Colorado to Michigan, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts’ second performance at the Detroit Opera House, on Feb. 7. “It’s a family affair tonight,” said Darlene Macy.
According to the Shen Yun website, the classical Chinese dance and music company was formed in 2006 in New York by a group of leading classical Chinese artists with a mission to revive China’s 5,000 years of history and culture.
“I think it really provides an insight into the richness and depths of the culture that we aren’t exposed to otherwise,” said Gary Lawera, Ms. Macy’s cousin. Mr. Lawera is vice president of Physician Network Operations.
New York-based Shen Yun is known for its classical Chinese dance, its vibrant costumes, artful backdrops, and one of kind orchestra comprised of both Chinese and Western instruments.
“I think it’s very artful and the aesthetics are fantastic,” Mr. Lawera said.
As well as classical Chinese dance, Shen Yun presents some folk dances interspersed with instrumental or vocal pieces that make up the evening. Mr. Lawera thought that the performance allowed people “to participate vicariously in a very artful expression of poetry, dance, religion and just inspiring thoughts.”
The inspiring thoughts he had centered on “what has been, what is possible and how best to express that.”
What struck Ms. Macy was “the culture aspect.” She loved seeing all the different dances “with the chopsticks, the lotus flowers and meditation. All the different variety that is put together, and the art form, the precision of everything, I thought it was wonderful.”
Mr. Lawera summed up the evening as “just the confluence of energy and art, expression, precision and revival of ancient culture in a beautiful form.”
Reporting by Joan Wang and Sharon Kilarski
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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.
