Shen Yun Plays in Spokane for First Time

Hsu Tain-tsair (2nd from R), mayor of Tainan City, his wife (1st from R) and Li Zhong (2nd from L), president of New York-based NTD at the Beacon Theatre in 2006. (Dai Bing/The Epoch Times)

As part of its 2009 spring tour, the widely acclaimed Shen Yun Performing Arts will play one show at the elegant INB Performing Arts Center in Spokane on Thursday, May 21.
 
Shen Yun presents classical Chinese dance and music in a colorful and exhilarating show, bringing to life ancient legends and heroic figures from China’s 5,000-year history.

This is the first time Shen Yun will perform in Spokane, and several VIPs have sent greetings in honor of the occasion, including Mary B. Vemer, mayor of Spokane.

“I am pleased to welcome the Shen Yun Performing Arts to our beautiful City of Spokane as they prepare to present classical Chinese dance and music,” the mayor wrote.

“We welcome you to Spokane and are delighted and honored that you have chosen to perform in our city,” wrote Rodolfo Arévalo, president of Eastern Washington University.

“We at Eastern Washington University are truly appreciative of this opportunity to experience a performance of genuine traditional Chinese culture in music and dance. Particularly, I am pleased with the educational benefit your performance brings to our community with your unique presentation of traditional Chinese myths, legends and art forms.”

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell said in her greeting letter Shen Yun Performing Arts “celebrates the splendor of many years of traditional Chinese culture through dance, music, myths and legends. I know this will be a spectacular and unique culturally enriching experience.”

She also said Chinese Americans have made many cultural contributions to the United States, noting that it was Washington State that elected the country’s first Chinese-American governor.

Member of Congress Cathy McMorris Rodgers thanked Shen Yun for “inspiring our community through dance, music, myth, legend and beauty.”

“This production will bring a new perspective to our region as we celebrate the true spirit and culture of the Chinese people. I know that the audience will appreciate the magnificent costumes, choreography, and talent this performance will display.”

Raymond F. Reyes, associate VP for Mission and Intercultural Relations at Gonzaga University, said Spokane “will be served a wake-up call to traditional Chinese culture through the creative genius and grace of the Shen Yun Divine Performing Arts Program.

“This unique opportunity to experience the mystery and magic of China’s Divine Performing Arts provides a living matrix in which we can recognize how significant it is to understand and appreciate diverse cultural traditions.”

U.S. Senator Patty Murray said “this production of traditional Chinese culture promises to transport the Inland Northwest audience to another time in another world.

“This is an opportunity to view traditional Chinese culture and see ancient legends of virtue brought to life. Performances such as this provide a unique venue for cultural exchange and add to the cultural landscape of Spokane and cities around the globe.”
Todd Mielke, Mark Richard, and Bonnie Mager of the Office of County Commissioners also sent greetings, saying the event “will offer an opportunity for us to experience classical Chinese entertainment at its finest.

“We are honored to have you perform here and bring our cultures together through a performance like no other, recreating the true spirit and culture of the Chinese people.
We know that everyone attending will enjoy experiencing the best of Chinese music and dance.”

A number of State Representatives and city councilors also sent letters of greeting.

During its spring tour, Shen Yun will also perform in Portland on May 19 and in Seattle May 22 and 23.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Shen Yun Performing Arts Spring Tour 2009. For more information please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org