“It’s very interesting to see the beauty in the culture that the communists attempted to suppress and do away with,” said Daniel Quattlebaum, a board member of the South Carolina Association of Special Purpose Districts.

“It’s very helpful that it’s still being shown in America and shown to the world because … in the news, it’s just China …  one blanket covering the whole country instead of understanding that there are different ethnic groups and different cultures and different histories within the country of China,” Mr. Quattlebaum said.

Mrs. Quattlebaum said she also enjoyed the “fabulous” performance.

“It’s so colorful—all this wonderful dancing, acrobatics, it’s just spectacular,” she said.

Shen Yun’s dancers perform vignettes that bring to life Chinese legends, stories of morality, and historical events, as well as events in modern-day China.

Walker said that Shen Yun tells stories through classical Chinese dance, displays folk and ethnic dances and was very athletic—all that had been promised

“I haven’t been exposed to a lot of Chinese cultural music, which is why I’m enjoying it. It’s been harmonious and melodious and spiritually uplifting,” she said.

Listening to the music stirred beautiful emotions and feelings, Walker said.

“Lily ponds, blue sky, celestial beings … eternal oneness, [it’s] just nice being in peace,“ she said. ”It’s a spiritual experience.”

Lisa said Shen Yun reminded her why traditions should be treasured and how classical music is “timeless and unifying.”