DENVER—Shen Yun Performing Arts performed at Denver’s Buell Theatre as part of its 2012 world tour. Bruce Smith and his wife, Mary Smith, were among the audience.
Mr. Smith, a retired police department lieutenant, and Mrs. Smith, belong to the Smokey Hill Rotary Club in Colorado. They decided to attended Shen Yun’s performance after a presentation at their Rotary Club.
“I was very intrigued by it and I’ve not been disappointed.” said Mr. Smith.“The dancing is wonderful—I wish I had that sort of flexibility.”
Shen Yun Performing Arts is the premier classical Chinese dance company based in New York. According to Shen Yun’s website, a performance by Shen Yun is a presentation of traditional Chinese culture as it once was: a study in grace, wisdom, and the virtues distilled from the five millennia of Chinese civilization.
“It’s a shame that the Communist government in China doesn’t allow it. I can’t for the life of me understand why they would think there is something wrong with it, but it’s just an absolute shame that they don’t allow that in China. I think it’s wonderful that it’s being preserved,” said Mr. Smith.
According to Shen Yun’s website, the Chinese Communist Party forced atheism upon society and “has for decades launched various campaigns—most notably the Cultural Revolution—to destroy not only cultural sites, temples, and relics, but also the Chinese people’s belief in virtue and faith in the divine.”
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive China’s 5,000-year-old divinely inspired culture, “with its values of benevolence, honor, propriety, wisdom, and sincerity, as well as a reverence for the gods and the heavens, cannot be destroyed,” according to Shen Yun’s website.
Mrs. Smith, an analyst with the police department, said: “I’m really impressed. I’m really impressed with the fluid activity-the way they’re conveying their story. I like the narrators; it’s a beautiful way to convey their story.”
Mrs. Smith said she would absolutely recommend Shen Yun to her friends.
Classical Chinese dance has three main components—bearing, form, and technical skill. “Classical Chinese dance has a long history of thousands of years, and while soaking up profound wisdom from every era and dynasty, it has become a complete system of dance embodying traditional aesthetic principles,” said Shen Yun’s website.
Mr. Smith said, “We’re very impressed.”
Reporting by Jim Fogarty and Kelly Ni.
Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York, tours the world on a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company will be in Nashville for performances on Feb. 25 and 26 at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
For more information visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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