PHOENIX, Ariz.—The 6th largest city in the United States, Phoenix is steeped in cultural diversity and a love of the arts.
It’s one of the world-class destinations where premiere Chinese dance and music touring company, Shen Yun Performing Arts, has been welcomed with open arms.
Shen Yun is fast becoming the cultural “must-see” yearly event in Arizona. Audience members are delighted and surprised by the magnificent quality and uniqueness of Shen Yun performances, featuring a live, full orchestra with both traditional western and Chinese instruments, stunning Chinese classical dances, folk and story-based dances, intricate costumes, an interactive backdrop, and musical soloists.
Last year, Shen Yun was only available in the Phoenix area, and the show completely sold out.
“This year we have brought Shen Yun to Tucson for the first time,” said Nick Janicki, Arizona coordinator and promoter of Shen Yun.
“All our shows in both cities are sold out as of now. It’s amazing, people tell me all the time they wanted to see the show last year but waited too long and found out that all of the 2016 shows were sold out. They say they made sure to buy tickets early this year.”
Janicki said organizers had to add one more show in Phoenix and another in Tuscon.
While a large amount of Shen Yun promotion comes from former audience members recommending the performance to their friends and families, locals began to see colorful Shen Yun advertising in newspapers, television, billboards, flyers and posters all over the cities starting six months ago.
Janicki said people’s experiences from previous years highlight the beauty and magic of Shen Yun.
For example, Mr. Lee Huff, a Congressional staff member said, “Heaven has its angels” and “Earth has Shen Yun.”
Steven Kates, also know as Dr. Sky, a radio and television personality said, “I feel like my troubles have just walked away from me and just taken off. I think it’s important for people to realize that it’s a spiritual, peaceful, and an absorbing experience that I haven’t had in a long time. [I’m] very happy to see this.”
Mr. Kates saw Shen Yun two times in the same week it was presented in Phoenix. After his second time watching, he said, “It should be seen twice, or three times by people—absolutely. And I’m hoping to come back.”
One of the most heart-warming stories Mr. Janicki shared was about a beekeeper from Sedona, Arizona. The beekeeper has no phone, or computer. He found out about Shen Yun from a billboard, and he drove two and a half hours from Sedona to Phoenix, because he knew he had to see the show.
Unfortunately, the show was sold out, but the beekeeper managed to speak with Mr. Janicki, who then contacted the Shen Yun tour manager, and they were able to arrange a seat for him. The man’s heart was so touched by the wonder of the show, he said, “It opened up his mind to all new possibilities.”
Janicki said Shen Yun will be back in Arizona for the 2018 season, and fans expect it to be ever more spectacular.
Reporting by Cheryl Casati
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has five touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.
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.
