PITTSBURGH—David Dzikowski wanted to do something special for his wife Stacey’s birthday, and he did; the two musicians, who are frequent patrons of the arts, walked away artistically and spiritually inspired by Shen Yun Performing Arts.
“This is the best I have ever seen,” said Mrs. Dzikowski. “What a blessed gift.”
New York-based Shen Yun brings stories, myths and legends to life through classical Chinese dance.
Mr. Dzikowski, who plays a variety of instruments, said the stories had created an enlightening experience for the both of them. “Especially a rich ancient culture like that, it brought it to life,” Mr. Dzikowski said.
Mrs. Dzikowski called the cultural revival she saw in Shen Yun awe-inspiring, as it was blended with visuals like she had never seen before.
As a singer herself, the vocal soloists who sing original Chinese compositions were a unique treat for Mrs. Dzikowski.
“The music, the words, the lyrics, were so poetic and beautiful and deep,” Mrs. Dzikowski said. She saw a spirituality in the art and traditional Chinese culture that resonated with her own beliefs.
“It shows that we all face temptation, but good can overcome evil and that’s wonderful,” Mrs. Dzikowski said. It’s a universal belief, Mrs. Daikowski said, but it reemphasized that goodness “is what leads you to the pathway to heaven.”
“It kind of shows that we are all one, no matter what culture,” Mr. Dzikowski said.
The experience had been enlightening as well, regarding modern day China. Mrs. Dzikowski said she had not been aware of the persecution of the traditional culture in China today, and was all the more touched with Shen Yun’s mission to revive 5,000 years of the divinely inspired culture.
To cut off the people from the traditional culture, Mrs. Dzikowski said, “it’s like cutting off your breathing.”
“They want to share that core of their heart, that this is what they love to do, and they want to touch people, touch lives,” Mrs. Dzikowski said of the performers.
“I loved everything about it,” Mrs. Dzikowski added.
The performers and different aspects of the performance came together like pieces of a puzzle, Mrs. Dzikowski said, and showed something bigger than just entertainment.
“That is probably where the balance and harmony comes together, to put on such a beautiful show,” Mrs. Dzikowski said.
For example, she pointed out, Shen Yun Orchestra is a blend of traditional Chinese and classical western instruments. “They all have their own little different sounds,” she explained, “but when played together and combined there was a harmony there.”
It’s just like putting different countries together, Mrs. Dzikowski said, and having the harmony of a sense of balance and peace, instead of war. What Shen Yun achieved had left her speechless, Mrs. Dzikowski said.
“They touch you, then it emulates onto yourself and you can go and now touch other people and spread the word and say go see the show, you are crazy not to!” Mrs. Dzikowski said.
Reporting by NTD Television and Catherine Yang
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.
