MADISON, Wis.—“It’s wonderful!” said Mr. Dan Stier after attending Shen Yun Performing Arts on Thursday evening. Continuing the Midwest leg of its 2012 tour, the world-renowned Shen Yun graced the stage of the Overture Center for the Arts for a second performance on April 5.
This was attorney Mr. Stier’s first experience seeing classical Chinese dance and music, and the director for the National Coordinating Center at Network for Public Health, was thoroughly impressed. He said, “I really enjoyed it. I came not really knowing what to expect, but came with a very open mind. I’m thoroughly enjoying it. It’s wonderful!”
The people of China have long held the belief that their magnificent culture was a gift from the heavens. Artists cultivated virtue because they felt that to create art worthy of the divine, there must first be inner beauty and purity.
Mr. Stier was pleased to learn that Shen Yun artists travel the world on a mission to revive classical Chinese culture. He said, “I liked that too. I was interested in the approach—about how even in modern China spirituality is not really encouraged. I think that’s sad. I think [Shen Yun] has a very strong feeling of spirituality.”
Within classical Chinese dance lie China’s rich cultural traditions, which allow its movements to be deeply expressive. It is therefore capable of depicting scenes from any time period or region in a strikingly vivid way.
Amazed by the dances, Mr. Stier said he enjoyed the monks [Joyful Little Monks] and “ the other one that was very entertaining to me was the very colorful piece, the ethnic dancers, [In the Mountains (Taiwanese Amei Dance)], I enjoyed that a lot! I just enjoyed the movements ... they brought a real sense of humor and lightness to it.”
Mr. Stier said he would encourage others to experience Shen Yun for themselves. “I would highly recommend it. I would say go … and enjoy yourself. It’s very uplifting and cheerful—lighthearted!”
Summing up his experience, he said, “[Shen Yun] just has a feeling of being very positive.”
Reporting by Catherine Wen and Jeanmarie Lunsford.
Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world, with a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company will next perform in Calgary, Canada, April 8-9.
For more information, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
Friends Read Free