SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun a ‘Colorful Burst of Dance and Athletic Ability’: Real Estate Broker

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Shen Yun a ‘Colorful Burst of Dance and Athletic Ability’: Real Estate Broker
Chris Logan and Jennifer Hay (L) with friends attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando, Florida, on May 21, 2022 Nancy Ma/The Epoch Times
ORLANDO, Fla.—Chris Logan and Jennifer Hay were stunned after watching Shen Yun Performing Arts at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida.
Shen Yun is bringing back an almost forgotten history, delighting audiences worldwide with a display of truly authentic classical  Chinese dance and music, and the legends and values upon which the Chinese civilization was built.

The couple were unanimous: Shen Yun was “breathtaking.”

“It was absolutely amazing,” said Mr. Logan, a vice president of business banking. “I had a great time. The performance was unbelievable, the costumes were amazing.”

“The athletic ability of the dancers is admirable, it’s incredible to watch [the performers] work their craft,” he said.

“Oh my gosh, [Shen Yun] was a colorful burst of dance and athletic ability and the costumes were amazing,” said Ms. Hay, a real estate broker. “And the exposure to [a] new and exciting [performance] was incredible. I learnt so much more about the dance history from China. It’s something that we don’t think about very often. It’s a great experience to be able to share a little bit more about the Chinese culture.”

Shen Yun is dedicated to bringing back China’s traditional culture as it was before communism. Chinese classical dance and music use techniques that are unique to Chinese culture. Modern gymnastics and ballet draw upon the techniques of Chinese dance.

“It’s incredible. I had no idea that so much of the Chinese dance techniques were borrowed and disseminated to other cultures,” said Mr. Logan. “The history of Chinese dance is incredible. And I don’t think you really get a chance to understand the breadth and the amazing ability until you actually get a chance to see it. It’s a fantastic experience.”

He applauded Shen Yun’s mission of reviving traditional Chinese culture.

“I think that we, as Americans, don’t get a chance to learn enough about other cultures, especially pre-communist China. That’s a great way for us to learn more about [Chinese culture.]”

Shen Yun is renowned for its live orchestra which combines traditional Chinese and classical Western instruments that create exceptional melodies. Within its repertoire of dances it also offers the audiences solo vocalist and instrumental performances.
Mr. Logan was amazed by just how different the Chinese culture was. The tenor was a “very talented young man” and the traditional Chinese two-stringed violin, the erhu, was incredible, he said.

“It really was quite amazing,” he said, adding how the Shen Yun hosts had commented on the expressiveness of a violin with just two strings.

Each piece in Shen Yun is introduced by emcees who give a brief overview to assist the audience.

“[The erhu brought up feelings of] joy and happiness,” said Mr. Logan. “It was a wonderful experience all together. I’m so glad we came,” he said.

Shen Yun reflects China’s traditional spiritual roots, which legend teaches were passed from heavenly beings to earthly mortals.

“I think religion is universal. Whether it’s Eastern or Western, Buddhism, Catholicism … it’s all related in a lot of ways. Everybody has a different version of God, but I think it’s all spiritual in nature,” said Mr. Logan.

Shen Yun’s repertoire includes dances that portray the spiritual group Falun Dafa, whose adherents believe in the values of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, yet have been persecuted for over 30 years in China.

“I think everybody has the right to practice what they believe in,” said Mr. Logan.

Mr. Logan explained that this was the first time he had seen Shen Yun and he looked forward to seeing it again.

The couple were optimistic that Shen Yun would be shown to more communities in Florida.

“And hopefully, [Shen Yun] will come to the University of Florida in Gainesville. I think that that was something that they would really enjoy up there as well,” said Mr. Logan.

“I hope they get a chance to share their skills with the rest of Florida, not just in the major cities,” said Ms. Hay.

Reporting by Nancy Ma and Diane Cordemans.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
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