CHICAGO—Toni Preckwinkle, a Chicago city alderwoman attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Chicago Civic Opera House Friday night with her husband Zeus Preckwinkle, a Mathematics and Science teacher.
Mrs. Preckwinkle recently won the Democratic Primary for president of the Cook County Commission and, if things go as expected in November, is set to become one of the most powerful politicians in the Chicago area. Among the residents of her North Kenwood ward are President Barack Obama and his family.
Both she and her husband were delighted with what they saw and heard at Shen Yun’s performance.
Alderwoman Preckwinkle particularly liked the folk tales and noted how the portrayal of gods interfering in human affairs, as occurs in the dance Splitting the Mountain, seems universal. She said, “I enjoyed it.”
Mr. Preckwinkle commented enthusiastically how he liked the colors and said, “I loved the way they would take these cloths and twirl them around.”
Mr. Preckwinkle particularly liked In a Miao Village. His wife added that she could “hear the jingling” of the bells on the costumes in this number.
Speaking of the acts ‘Nothing Can Block the Divine Path’ and ‘Astounding Conviction’, Mr. Preckwinkle said, “You know, it’s a performance of resistance.”
What Ms. Preckwinkle then explained was that the piece exposed repression of spirituality. “I thought that was an important part of it—that they seemed to be standing up for their beliefs—there seemed to be a very strong focus of it.”
Mr. Preckwinkle summed up saying, “I thought it was very elegant.
“Just strong overall, and it was actually delightful. And I liked the way that they presented each section and the introductions—very nice.”
For more information, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
