LONG BEACH, Calif. – Shen Yun Performing Arts World Company delighted and captivated its audience at the Terrace Theater on Sunday, Feb. 8. Mike Salfity, an executive at a large corporation, attended the performance with his wife.
“I think it’s fantastic,” Mr. Salfity said of the performance. “Great art, great culture, great music.”
Established in 2006, New York-based Shen Yun is a non-profit organization working to bring 5,000 years of Chinese civilization to life through the performing arts. Having performed in front of millions of people across some 20 countries and 100 cities, Shen Yun has gained wide recognition as an international phenomenon.
For Mr. Salfity – someone who’s already been to China a numerous times–experiencing Shen Yun was as insightful as it was enjoyable.
“I think it’s an education for me,” said Mr. Salfity. “I think it enlightened me.”
According to the Shen Yun website, “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. Its stunning beauty and tremendous energy leave audiences uplifted and inspired.”
Mr. Salfity appeared to be very interested by Shen Yun’s illuminating presentation of traditional Chinese culture.
“I think we can learn a lot from the Chinese culture,” he said. “I think its principally grounded in high ethics, high integrity… for me, it’s a culture I admire.”
As the website explains, “Sophisticated dance techniques, and orchestra joining instruments from both the East and West, beautiful costumes, and a stunning back drop – this is Shen Yun at first glance. But digging deeper, one discovers a sea of traditional Chinese culture… Principles such as benevolence and justice, propriety and wisdom, respect for the heavens, and divine retribution, all come to life, washing over the audience. Originating from Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, these ideals are the essence of traditional Chinese culture.”
Mr. Salfity was so pleased with his experience that he intends to return and watch the performance for a second time.
“I’m hopeful we can come back and bring our two children, our son and our daughter,” he added.
Reporting by Yaning Liu and Morgan Bradley
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform around the world. Shen Yun’s World Company will perform in the Greater Los Angeles Area through February 8. 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 reaction since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
