TAMPA, Fla.—The public had a wealth of cultural events to choose from this weekend in Tampa. Shen Yun Performing Arts, which had three shows at Tampa’s David A. Straz Jr. Center on March 3 and 4, was the choice of Tom Zuidema, a realtor in the Tampa Bay area.
Because he also plays the keyboard and piano and sang in a choir for years, Tom had a true appreciation for the performance. He said the orchestra was wonderful and the tenors and sopranos were superb.
Downtown Tampa also hosted the Publix Supermarkets Gasparilla Distance Classics Race Weekend, with a series of runs at all levels. The Gasparilla Festival for the Arts is an annual Tampa tradition since 1970, which places particular emphasis on art education and its development for today’s youth.
But despite the competition, Shen Yun Performing Arts was a resounding success in Tampa: all three performances were sold out. One staff member at the Straz center commented that she hadn’t seen a packed house like this at the Straz in a very long time.
Tom Zuidema was thrilled to have been able to see Shen Yun and be a part of the excitement: “I thought the show was wonderful. I thought the costumes were remarkable. The music was so good, very good orchestra. Just a delightful show!”
Shen Yun’s had its third and final performance of the weekend on Sunday evening. For those who missed out on the Tampa shows, there will still be an opportunity to catch a performance in neighboring St. Petersburg. Shen Yun will be returning by popular demand for two performances at the Mahaffey Theater, which will once again host the world-class company on May 5.
Reporting by Sally Sun and Robin Epps.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. After the Tampa engagement, Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company will next perform in Memphis, Tenn.
For more information, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
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