DETROIT—Shen Yun Performing Arts made the Lau family—three generations of them—really happy, and even proud. The matinee on Jan. 27 at the Detroit Opera House became “A tremendous celebration of family and Chinese culture,” according to Mrs. Angel Lau.
Angel and Jeff Lau, who own a small consulting company in Detroit, attended New York-based Shen Yun’s performance with Jeff’s father and the couple’s two children. Mr. Lau was born in Hong Kong and his father in China.
Shen Yun, a New York based performing arts company, has one mission: “to revive the 5,000 year old, divinely inspired culture of China,” according to its website.
“It’s so wonderful because this is our history—this is where we came from—and the fact that it’s here in Detroit, in Michigan, and other people get to share our culture—it’s really heartwarming for us as well,” Mr. Lau said.
At the heart of Shen Yun is classical Chinese dance. As one of the most expressive dance forms in the world, it is able to weave “a wondrous tapestry of heavenly realms, ancient legends and heroic modern-day epics,” according to Shen Yun’s website.
“I thought the show was amazing so far,” Mr. Lau said at intermission. “We’re really looking forward to the second half. Their beauty and athleticism is amazing.”
“I thought it was fantastic,” Mrs. Lau said. She’s grateful for the performance since for all three generations it was a lesson.
“The opening act was absolutely breathtaking and how Buddha came down—I thought that was really fantastic,” she continued. “I’m a little familiar with it, but it was definitely educational from me.”
The Lau’s father and their children said they all enjoyed the performance, too.
“I like the show. I really like the part where they fight with the shields and the swords. I also like the action,” young Quincy said.
For Mr. Lau, it was more a matter of validation: “I feel really proud,” he said. “I think the Chinese culture is misunderstood in a lot of aspects, and so to see the performing arts come together with the Western culture, it’s really amazing.”
“I think China is seen as a place of business, of production, and sometimes it’s seen as a harsh area but to see that the arts come through, the beauty, and the history, and the culture, again, it’s great to see the Western culture appreciate it as much as we do,” he said.
Reporting by NTD Television and Sharon Kilarski.
Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York, tours the world on a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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