CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Brian and Kathy Weiss were in attendance for Shen Yun Performing Arts at Charlotte’s Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Jan. 29.
“It’s very colorful,” said Mrs. Weiss, Executive Vice President of Blass Communications. “The dancers are extremely quiet, silent—but they’re doing lots of very difficult maneuvers.”
Amazed at the complexity of the dance moves, she added that “If I was doing it, there’d be a lot of crashing to the ground. It’s very silent. It’s very enjoyable. Yes, very light.”
“Through the universal language of music and dance, Shen Yun weaves a wondrous tapestry of heavenly realms, ancient legends, and modern heroic tales, taking you on a journey through 5,000 years of Chinese culture,” reads Shen Yun’s website. “Its stunning beauty and tremendous energy leave audiences uplifted and inspired.”
That energy was not lost upon Mr. Weiss. “I thought the dancing was fantastic,” he said. “The coordination, the precision … and it’s very athletic. Very, very impressive, as well as the music. The music as well.”
Through Shen Yun, the time-tested musical traditions of East and West come together, “producing one refreshing sound,” according to Shen Yun’s website. With the spirit and beauty of Chinese music blended with the grandeur and precision of Western orchestration, Shen Yun’s harmonious sound is truly unique.
As a piano player, Mr. Weiss held particular reverence for the music performed by Shen Yun. “But this has been very enjoyable so far,” he said.
Education Through Culture
Also in the Jan. 29 audience was Mark Wilfley.
“I think it’s very colorful and very beautiful,” he said. “I’m learning. I don’t know much of the Chinese culture, so this is teaching me some.”
Traveling around the globe and performing for millions each year, one of Shen Yun’s missions is to help the world come to a better understanding of traditional Chinese culture.
As for what Mr. Wilfley, a journalist, learned specifically through the performance, he noted that naming only one thing was not possible. However: “I think the culture’s always been very artistic, and I think for many Westerners, we know that. But we don’t know what it’s like artistically,” he added.
“It probably makes me want to go home and read the program more,” he added. “I suspect that a lot of the movements that the dancers are doing mean something, and so it’s just a beginning to learn more about things.”
He concluded with a warm wish that Shen Yun returns to Charlotte in the future.
With reporting by DJY and Michael Fitzgerald
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.
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.
