Southern California Officials Commend and Welcome Shen Yun Performing Arts
Mar 03, 2023
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Shen Yun Performing Arts New Era Company's curtain call at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, in Costa Mesa, on March 2, 2023. (NTD)
As Shen Yun Performing Arts continues its tour through Southern California, several state, county, and city officials have sent certificates of recognition, proclamations, and congratulatory letters to welcome the company.
In their proclamations, the officials commend Shen Yun for its efforts to revive artistic traditions and contribute culturally through classical Chinese dance and music performances.
Shen Yun began its tour through Southern California in Escondido, in northern San Diego County, with performances from February 8 through 14. It will visit seven more cities in the region in the coming weeks, concluding its performances in the area in San Diego with performances in the city from April 21 to 23.
Vicente Sarmiento and Don Wagner, members of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, respectively issued a certificate and a proclamation commending Shen Yun.
Orange County Third District Supervisor Donald P. Wagner (R) at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts on March 1, 2023. (Linda Jiang/The Epoch Times)
“The unique classical, ethnic, and folk dances of Shen Yun Performing Arts are based on ancient myths, legends, and heroes yet remain timeless,” Wagner wrote.
In addition to entertainment, the performances serve as “morality plays that share lessons on good character, virtue and values that shape a beautiful society,” he wrote.
Wagner, who represents over 630,000 residents in Orange County’s Third District, personally presented the proclamation at Shen Yun’s March 1 performance at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa.
“This may be the show that Beijing doesn’t want you to see, but … here in Orange County [we’re] happy to show it,” he told The Epoch Times at the performance.
The city of Irvine in Orange County issued a certificate of recognition, thanking Shen Yun for “offering audiences of all ages a stunning experience of consummate beauty and goodness.” City officials said the performances not only entertain but also “deeply educate, enrich and inspire.”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued a scroll to congratulate Shen Yun, and 67th District Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) sent in a certificate to commend Shen Yun.
U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.) from the 45th District congratulated Shen Yun on 16 years of “astounding success,” with a certificate of recognition. Another member of the House, Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.), 40th District, also issued a letter thanking Shen Yun for “sharing and celebrating traditional Chinese culture” with Southern California.
San Luis Obispo Mayor Erica Stewart also encouraged all residents to “recognize the artistic accomplishments and cultural contributions” of Shen Yun in a proclamation issued on behalf of the city council. The city has declared March 25-26 Shen Yun Performing Arts Days, in recognition of the days that the company will be performing in the city.
“There has been an overwhelming and positive response to Shen Yun Performing Arts around the world: it is traditional Chinese culture as it was meant to be, a study in grace, fluidity, inner strength, and positive virtues,” the proclamation reads.
Shen Yun was started in New York in 2006 by a group of elite Chinese artists who aimed to revive the beauty and goodness of China before communism.
This year’s tour is expected to cover over 180 cities in more than 20 countries across five continents.
