AUSTIN, Texas—Shen Yun Performing Arts World Company opened its 2015 global tour on Dec. 26 at Austin’s Long Performing Arts Center.
Mr. Michael Quigley, a partner in the international law firm Blake, Cassels & Graydon, was struck by the beauty, hope, and depth Shen Yun expresses, in contrast to the world’s troubles.
“The fact that you see so much light and brightness and hope in these dancers, [it] gives you hope that, that can prevail, that goodness can prevail on the Earth. There is this light and it is more powerful,” he said.
“For me, it gives hope that goodness and divine will prevail over the darkness, not only heaven but on Earth.”
According to the website of the New York-based Shen Yun, “Shen Yun cannot be seen in China today, where traditional culture has been nearly lost. Yet Shen Yun—a non-profit organization—has become an international phenomenon, bringing the wonders of ancient Chinese culture to millions across the globe.”
“This is beauty, and it is the true beauty that comes from the divine. Atheism cannot produce this kind of beauty,” said Mr. Quigley.
“The beauty and the message inspires me,” added Ms. Karuna Harber, a professional dancer and teacher with a background in multiple dance techniques, who attended the performance with Mr. Quigley. Ms. Harber is also a yogini and teaches meditation.
The soul of the show was evident in the name Shen Yun to Ms. Harber, “Shen Yun, about the divine moves, the divine dancers, that’s the essence of this show.”
According to the Shen Yun website, Shen Yun means the beauty of divine beings dancing
“Classical Chinese dance has helped preserve 5,000 years of Chinese culture. Built on traditional aesthetics, it was once passed down among the people, in imperial courts, and through ancient plays. Over thousands of years, it was constantly refined, eventually developing into the vast and distinctly Chinese dance form we know today,” says the Shen Yun website.
“It is the old culture,” added Ms. Harber. “It is the culture of harmony and like it is said in programs briefly-courage and compassion and realization. Realization of peace, tranquility, and divinity. Spiritual realization!”
Ms. Harber sees Shen Yun as something sent “from above and out of this world, but brought into this world. And this (Shen Yun) is really successful at portraying that.”
“They are doing a beautiful job,” said Mr. Quigley, “I mean, it is just beautiful, it is very inspiring, and I have never seen this side of Chinese culture. I really appreciate it now. It is beautiful!”
Tonight’s performance brought Mr. Quigley the inspiration “to want to meditate and connect yourself to divine, so you can also radiate that light in what you do, in your work. And that is what it does for me.”
“It gives you another motivation to do that yourself, to do what you can do in the highest way,” he added.
“I will definitely tell my family to see it and my friends,” said Mr. Quigley. “It is the divinely inspired rebirth of the Chinese civilization!”
As a dancer Ms. Harber was delighted with the beauty of the performance, “It’s amazing! It’s amazing!' she said. ”Very impressive! They’re masterful at their craft … Everyone is a very high level professional ... the level of skill was exceptionally high for everyone out there.”
The voice of an ancient Chinese two stringed instrument, the erhu spoke to Ms. Harber, “That was amazing … so intimate, so much feeling, and so much mastery of the instrument, like a song. It was exceptional.”
Reporting by Sherry Dong and Cheryl Casati
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.
