CHARLOTTE, N.C—The winter ice in North Carolina melted just in time for Shen Yun Performing Arts’ arrival in the state’s largest city. Shen Yun’s first performance in Charlotte sold out, and there are just a handful of tickets left for seeing Shen Yun’s final two performances on Sunday, Jan. 27.
With Bank of America and Well Fargo’s East Coast operation headquarters in the city, Charlotte is the nation’s second major financial center.
Julie Kelly and her daughter, Megan, attended Shen Yun together at the Charlotte Knight Theater on Jan. 26. Mrs. Kelly is a full-time mom, and Ms. Kelly is a middle school student. Ms. Kelly has been dancing ballet since she was in first grade, and she loves the arts and participates in theater as well.
Ms. Kelly said Shen Yun was really good. Mrs. Kelly thought it was interesting because before attending Shen Yun, she didn’t know anything about Chinese classical dance.
Based in New York, Shen Yun presents 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture through classical Chinese music and dance.
While Mrs. Kelley was surprised to see the challenging tumbling and flipping techniques, the dancers hand movements especially impressed her.
“The way it flows and to think of that as a tradition that its 5,000 years long,” she said, more impressed that Shen Yun is “bringing this dance back.”
“I think that is really amazing. I really like that,” Mrs. Kelly said. She was also excited by Shen Yun’s well-rounded presentation of ancient Chinese culture, stories of modern-day China, and “How it all evolved over the years,” she said.
“I’m kind of looking at it that way too, rather than just the art,” she added.
Ms. Kelly said that she found the classical Chinese dance peaceful. “It’s a lot more peaceful than other dance,” she said.
Mrs. Kelly found the Shen Yun Orchestra fascinating because she read that it was one of the only orchestras that use traditional symphonic orchestra while incorporating Chinese instruments. She was especially intrigued by the Chinese instrumentation. “Its really interesting to hear,” she said.
With reporting by Kelly Ni.
Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company will perform at the Charlotte Knight Theater through Jan. 27. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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