DETROIT—Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company continued to amaze audiences at the Detroit Opera House Saturday evening, Jan. 26. “It was just very powerful. Very moving,” said Mr. Andre Johnson. Mr. Johnson is the CEO of Detroit Recovery Project, and has been featured in the 2nd Annual Vanguard Awards as a Detroit Young Professional.
New York-based Shen Yun brings to life China’s myths, history, and legends through classical Chinese dance. It is a dance form built on profound traditional aesthetics. Within classical Chinese dance lie China’s rich cultural traditions, which allow its movements to be deeply expressive, such that the personalities and feelings of characters can be portrayed with unparalleled clarity, according to the company’s website.
Mr. Johnson was impressed and said, “I loved it. It was amazing. Yes, very enlightening.”
He explained further how the Shen Yun performances moved him, and said, “The grace in terms of how the people dance. It was just very powerful. Very moving. Just understanding the history of China. It was very educational for me. The dance and the postures. It was absolutely amazing.”
Accompanying him was professional model, Ms. Nikki Brown, who shared her enthusiasm for Shen Yun, saying, “The overall event was amazing to me as well. I was just amazed! Everything was just meticulously executed. The colors—it was just a kaleidoscope. And of course the dance told a story. It was an experience I’ve never had before.”
She added, “The presentation was just awesomely executed. I know what it takes to actually get it to perfection. I was noticing their bodies. The stream line. How limber they were. It’s a lot that goes into what they were doing.”
Shen Yun brings together the talents of world-class dancers, singers and musicians from around the globe. Many audience members have been profoundly moved by the depth of Shen Yun’s music and lyrics.
Mr. Johnson said, “The music. The orchestra. I am just in awe! It’s wonderful.”
Ms. Brown agreed, and said, “The opera singer. I would have liked to hear more from her. The soprano singer. It’s just amazing. She gave me goose bumps. And then to read the dialogue that goes along with the songs. It was just amazing. I really enjoyed it. I am almost speechless, which is unusual for me!”
Mr. Johnson said he was saddened to learn that freedom of belief is suppressed in China. “The unfortunate part, we were just talking about, [that] communism is in existence over there.”
Referring to the performance, An Unexpected Encounter, Ms. Brown said, “The one thing that sticks out in my head more than anything, is the [performance about] tourists. They were just taking pictures, taking in the sights and they were misunderstood to be the actual people practicing [Falun Dafa]. And to see them incorporated and being beaten and abused and put in jail. And then to see the religious aspect as they were in jail praying about it. That really was just something! These are things that will really stick out in my mind.”
Mr. Johnson said he was already looking forward to next year’s performances. “We will be back next year. I am glad to hear every year is different.”
Reporting by Dongyu Teng and Jeanmarie Lunsford.
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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