HONOLULU—Shen Yun Performing Arts, the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, gave its final of four performances at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu on May 5. Among those attending the performance were husband and wife David Coon and Dr. Gabriele Barthlen.
“The agility of the dancers and the colors of their costumes … it was wonderful,” said Ms. Barthlen. She and her husband are the owners of Sleep Center Hawaii, which, with five centers, is the largest medical sleep center in the state.
She said that she was particularly impressed by the piece Phoenix Fairies. The piece depicts a secluded faraway paradise in which maidens soar with celestial grace, according to the Shen Yun program book.
“I had goosebumps at the end,” Ms. Barthlen said. “It was really, really nice. [I’m] grateful for the performance.”
Shen Yun performances contain both classical Chinese and ethnic dances from among China’s more than 50 ethnic minorities.
Based in New York, Shen Yun was established in 2006 with the mission to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture.
Mr. Coon said that he was impressed by the “coordination of everyone in each performance.”
“The dancing was very beautiful—I enjoyed it very, very much,” he said. “The men are very athletic. Very good dancers.”
Having lived in Manhattan, New York, for 30 years, Mr. Coon said he greatly enjoyed the fact that the Shen Yun performance was accompanied by a full orchestra.
“You don’t see that today in productions anymore. It’s an expensive add-on when you’re doing a production, but very beautiful one. Great musicians,” he said.
Mr. Coon said that he will encourage his friends to go see the performance. “It’s something I think everybody can enjoy, no matter what your cultural interests are.”
Reporting by Christian Watjen, Lily Yu, and Jasper Fakkert
Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York, tours the world on a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. 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.
