Shen Yun Returns to Florida on Its 2011 World Tour

Florida Gov. Rick Scott. The state is facing lawsuits over the recently signed pension bill that affects state employees' contributions and retirement income, but Gov. Scott is staying his ground. (Courtesy of the office of Gov. Scott)

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts will perform three shows at the Broward Center for Performing Arts, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Feb. 2–4.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Shen Yun has performed in Florida, with shows in Orlando, Jacksonville, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota, as well as Fort Lauderdale in the previous years. Letters of greeting from federal, state, and local officials honored the occasion.

Gov. Rick Scott welcomed Shen Yun to Fort Lauderdale as part of the company’s 2011 world tour, recognizing Shen Yun’s endeavor “to renew a cultural tradition that honors human dignity and virtue.”

Sen. Bill Nelson expressed his pleasure that the local hosting organization chose Fort Lauderdale for the venue and sent best wishes for a successful show.

Fort Lauderdale, the seat of Broward County, is 23 miles north of Miami. South Florida officials also sent greeting letters.

Fort Lauderdale Mayor John P. “Jack” Seiler welcomed back “the renowned cast and musicians of the Shen Yun Performing Arts show.” “Shen Yun celebrates the excellence of Chinese classical dance inspired by a 5,000-year-old culture. It is a wonderful showcase for the talents of the dancers, musicians, and artists involved in the spectacular production of myths, legends, and ancient Chinese culture.”

‘Rich Chinese Legacy’

Sue Gunzburger, mayor of Broward County, wrote: “This world-renowned performance artfully showcases classical Chinese dance, music and culture with dramatic historic elements spanning 5,000 years. The New Times Culture and Education Center and Falun Dafa Practitioners Association [of Florida] are to be commended for their sponsorship. …”

“This is a rare opportunity for the community to enjoy this outstanding cultural event that has been so successful here in the United States and around the world,” wrote Miami Mayor Tomas P. Regalado.

Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank C. Ortis extended a “most cordial welcome to the Shen Yun 2011 performing arts show, featuring the grandeur of classical Chinese dance and music.”

René A. Varela, mayor of Lake Worth, which borders West Palm Beach, wrote “an emphatic letter of support for the Shen Yun Performing Arts show.” “I know this will be a spectacular event and that everyone who attends will enjoy the performance.”

On behalf of the Broward County Music Teachers Association, Mary Beth Purchase, president of the association, expressed appreciation for the community’s opportunity to experience Shen Yun performances “inspired by the myths, legends, and divine beauty of 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture.” Ms. Purchase appreciated the hosting organizations for their “dedication, talent, and sacrifice to honor the rich Chinese legacy through the fine arts.”

World Tour

Shen Yun performs in top venues on five continents, including Radio City Music Hall in New York, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and the Palais des Congrès, in Paris. This year, the company debuted at the Lincoln Center in New York, concluding a 10-show run with a full house.

Shen Yun will give three evening performances at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Wednesday through Friday, Feb. 2–4. The Broward Center also regularly hosts the Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet, and Symphony of the Americas.

While Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company presents the Florida shows, another of Shen Yun’s three touring companies will be performing in Auckland, New Zealand. The three companies perform in Europe, Asia, Australia, Oceania, and the Americas. In the 2010 season, there were approximately 400 shows in more than 100 cities worldwide.

  For more information, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org