DETROIT—“It’s been fantastic,” Dr. Michael Jacobs said after he saw Shen Yun Performing Arts with his wife, Alisa, and their children at Detroit’s Opera House on Saturday afternoon.
New York-based Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company. Formed in 2006, the company has quickly grown to four touring groups that perform to millions around the world, according to the company’s website.
Their shared mission is to revive China’s 5,000-year-old divinely inspired culture.
Dr. Jacobs was impressed with the story-based dances, which depict tales and legends from China’s 5,000-year history. These stories are told through the ancient art form of classical Chinese dance.
“Very special, very touching, good stories. They include many stories that we are not familiar with. It’s very neat,” he said.
Dr. Jacobs is Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery with Wayne State University. He currently chairs the research committee at Providence Hospital. Mrs. Jacobs is a nutritionist.
“I was really impressed,” Mrs. Jacobs said. “I learned a lot about the ancient Chinese civilization.”
In a contemporary piece related to events in China today, Mrs. Jacobs also learned that the meditation practice of Falun Gong is banned and persecuted in China. “I thought that was very interesting, and I was glad that they revealed that,” she said.
Her husband commented on the choreography and the technical aspects of classical Chinese dance, which includes difficult leaps, spins, and tumbling. “It’s well balanced, it’s very beautiful.”
Mrs. Jacobs added: “The men are very powerful dancers, and I loved how they used chopsticks when they dance. I had never seen that.”
Some of the dances employ props like chopsticks, fans, or scarves as part of the presentation.
“The women are so graceful and light on their feet, and beautiful. It’s a beautiful show,” she said.
Reporting by NTD Television and Sharon Kilarski
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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.
