NEW YORK—Italian restaurateur, Mr. Philip Arcara enjoyed learning about the traditional Chinese dance, Shen Yun Performing Arts showcased Sunday evening at New York’s Lincoln Center.
“I felt that I was learning …[about] the many different ethnic dances that are part of the Chinese culture,” Mr. Arcara said.
On its third night in town, Shen Yun Performing Arts wowed audiences with its all-new 2015 program. The independent performing arts company was founded in 2006, with a mission to revive traditional Chinese art.
Mr. Arcar, who owns Don Filippo’s on the Upper East Side, said he learned a lot about the history of classical Chinese dance, an art form no longer found in today’s China. The dance form involves combinations of leaps, turns, flips, spins, and other aerial and tumbling techniques. According to Shen Yun’s website, it is an extensive and independent system of dance.
But the traditions displayed in a Shen Yun performance are no longer found in present-day China, which is under communist rule. Mr. Arcara said he was surprised to learn that Shen Yun was based in New York, as ancient Chinese culture has been almost completely destroyed in modern China, according to the program book.
“That was shocking to learn that ... certain things were not permitted in China,” he said.
The performance gave Mr. Arcara a view of the multitude of ethnic dances inherited from China’s 5,000 years of history. Women graced the stage in glittering sequined skirts in Mongolia or tinkling silver jewelry in the flowery fields of southern China.
Mr. Arcara was impressed with the variety and range of the dances. He mentioned that the Tibetan dance, “Snow-capped Celebration,” where men twirl their sleeves to a zestful song beneath the Himalayas, stood out to him.
“I enjoyed it immensely,” he said of the entire performance, “It was different. And it was an exciting time.”
Reporting by Catherine Yang and Shannon Liao
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.
