LOS ANGELES—Mary Ellen Bennett, artist and designer, saw Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on the afternoon of Jan. 14. She was intrigued, she said.
“It was really, enlightening, informative, and very, very beautiful.”
She said her curiosity was awakened by some of the contemporary history in the dances. “It introduced us to something we’re not familiar with in terms of Dafa,” said Ms. Bennett. She said she planned to learn more about Dafa.
Falun Dafa, or Falun Gong, as portrayed in the performance is a spiritual practice based upon the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. The communist regime in China persecutes people who practice Dafa.
Shen Yun’s mission is to re-awaken China’s ancient 5,000 year culture that had been destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. Through the arts—music, dance, and song—the myths and legends are beautifully expressed on stage giving one a deeper understanding of China’s culture.
“I think the message is quite pertinent for today’s world and very germane to what is happening in the United States and what is happening globally about compassion and empathy, that can only lead us to the right direction,” said Ms. Bennett.
Many of the stories the Shen Yun New York Company told through their performance carried the themes of good versus evil, divine intervention, and respect for the heavens, which are traditional Chinese values.
Ms. Bennett said she felt her travels and education prepared her to appreciate the many ancient Chinese legends depicted on stage as well as what’s happening in present day China.
The Shen Yun Orchestra combines Chinese instruments and Western instruments, and “is very alluring to a Western person who enjoys differences,” said Ms. Bennett.
“We absolutely loved it. It was wonderful,” she said.
With reporting by Micheal Ye.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts Company Shen Yun Performing Arts Company-New York Company is scheduled to perform January 19-22 in San Diego, California.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3WTKCEA4tE[/video]
