NEW YORK—The New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts is gearing up for opening night at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theatre tonight, Friday, Jan. 10. In anticipation, over 25 elected members from three levels of government in New York have sent welcome letters, citations, and proclamations honoring Shen Yun.
Millions of people around the world have seen the performing arts company, which features breathtaking music and dance that revives 5,000 years of Chinese civilization on stage.
“Please accept my best wishes for a wonderful event and many more years of continued success,” stated New York Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand.
Senator from New York, Charles Rangel, stated: “Shen Yun Performing Arts is the largest Chinese music and dance ensemble in the world and is independent from the Chinese government or any state entities.”
Congresswoman Grace Meng, Congressman Paul Tonko, Congressman Eliot L. Engel, and Congressman Tim Bishop all sent letters greeting and welcoming Shen Yun to New York.
“You have created an exhilarating body of work to watch,” stated City Council member Inez E. Dickens, who is also the Council assistant deputy majority leader.
“In reviving the essence of traditional Chinese culture based on the ideals of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance, and by reaching back into the five, rich millennia of Chinese history, its classical legends, and the various ethnic traditions in both music and dance, your company brings universal human themes to an exquisite, artistic level,” stated a welcome letter from New York City Council member Elizabeth S. Crowley (Queens), member of the Cultural Affairs Committee.
Since its start in 2006, Shen Yun has performed over 1,500 shows and received standing ovations from packed houses at many of the world’s top venues, including the Kennedy Center in Washington, the London Coliseum. The Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra has given concerts at Carnegie Hall. This year, four companies are touring Asia, Europe, and North America. Each company consists of classically trained dancers, virtuoso soloists, and a unique East-West orchestra.
Shen Yun performances in New York City sold out last season, and as more people learn about Shen Yun tickets become harder to get. “It has become a cultural phenomenon and a tradition for people to see the show every year, and they come back with friends and family,” said Pia-Maria Norris, spokesperson for Shen Yun Promotions International.
Members of the New York State Assembly have honored Shen Yun. These include Clifford W. Crouch, Michael J. Fitzpatrick, Mark Johns, Joseph R. Lentol, chair of the Committee on Codes; Patricia Fahy, Michael Cusick, chair of the Committee on Election Law; Edward Hennessey, Marc. W. Butler, Eric A. Stevenson, Robert J. Rodriguez, John T. McDonald III, Michael P. Kearns, Michelle Schimel, Fred W. Thiele Jr., and Steven C. Englebright.
Mr. Thiele wrote that he “commend[s] the outstanding passion and inspiration of Shen Yun Performing Arts.”
Ms. Schimel stated in her citation honoring Shen Yun Performing Arts that it is “an ensemble which is worthy of our highest respect and esteem and in their honor I declare the month of January 2014 to be Shen Yun Performing Arts Month.”
Mr. Englebright also declared January Shen Yun Performing Arts Month, adding “Shen Yun is the largest Chinese music and dance ensemble in the world consisting of dancers, musicians, singers, and production crew all coming together to revive authentic, traditional Chinese culture resulting in a performance that moves audiences in beautiful and profound ways.”
State Senators honored Shen Yun. These include Diane J. Savino, Chair of the Senate Labor Committee; Kenneth P. LaValle, Chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee; Phil Boyle, Chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee, Chairman of the Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse; John J. Bonacic, chairman of the Racing, Gaming and Wagering, and Judiciary committees; and Ruth Hassell-Thompson.
Ms. Hassell-Thompson wrote: “Shen Yun performances uplift humanity through messages of courage. Virtue and harmony is shared with the audience through a creative and fascinating stage presentation.”
Shen Yun 2014 Official Proclamations
Shen Yun will perform in New York City Jan. 10–19, and in Newark, N.J. April 11–12.
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.
