SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Portland Audience Finds Shen Yun ‘Culturally Enlightening’

Apr 20, 2026

4/20/2026Updated: 4/20/2026

PORTLAND, Ore.—Bill Love and Joann Johnston saw Shen Yun Performing Arts on April 19 at Keller Auditorium.

“It’s very good. It’s culturally enlightening, and I think what’s most interesting to me is to see how the culture has been affected by communism and the communist rule,” Mr. Love, who works in sales, said.

Shen Yun, based in New York, is on a mission to present “China before communism” and to revive people’s connection to 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and culture.

“I wasn’t really aware of how much traditional Chinese culture—especially when it comes to the religious aspect—has been suppressed by the communist government,” Mr. Love said.

Ms. Johnston, the CEO of a real estate trade organization, could feel Shen Yun’s passion for its mission.

“What I’ve noticed most about the show is that there is joy and beauty and [Chinese culture] is treasured,” she said.

Shen Yun’s artists are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.

“I really love the story about the girl who wanted to go to school and decided to dress as a man to go to school,” Ms. Johnston said.

One dance that left a deep impression told the true story of Falun Dafa practitioners following the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Despite their goodness, they are being persecuted for their faith in present-day China.

“I thought that was amazing. I cried on the one where he lost his eyes,” Ms. Johnston said. She was referring to the dance, “The Steadfast Heart.”

The dance gives reference to one of the worst crimes being committed in modern history: the Chinese Communist Party killing Falun Dafa practitioners to sell their organs for profit.

Ms. Johnston was moved to see the dance end on a note of hope.

“I got a lot out of that one,” she shared.

Shen Yun’s website says, “China was once known as ‘The Land of the Divine.’ Buddhism and Confucianism can be considered the main ideologies in China before the CCP.”

Mr. Love appreciated Shen Yun’s portrayal of the divine coming to the aid of those who deserved it.

“It’s nice to be able to see that portrayed in a different kind of cultural sense than what we have in America,” Mr. Love said.

Reporting by Jane Yang and Maria Han.

Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.