Shen Yun: ‘There’s a Sense of Sacredness to It’, Says Audience Member
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"There's a lot of joy and expression" in Shen Yun, said Mark Sivertsen after seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at the Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, in Seattle, on April 7, 2022. Sunny Chen/The Epoch Times
SEATTLE, Wash.—Mark Sivertsen, a research and innovation specialist, had been wanting to see Shen Yun Performing Arts for four years. He finally got the chance on April 7 as the classical Chinese dance and music company returned to Seattle after the end of pandemic restrictions and lockdowns.
“I love the color, I love the choreography. The music is amazing. The variety is great,” said Mr. Sivertsen.
Based in New York, Shen Yun aims to revive China’s 5,000-year-old traditional culture, which was all but destroyed after decades of rule by the communist regime in China.
Mr. Sivertsen said there’s “wonderful energy” in Shen Yun, and that there’s a “reverence to what they’re doing.”
“There’s a lot of joy and expression, and I feel like there’s a sense of sacredness to it,” he said.
‘So Bright and Enjoyable’
Mila Evans at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at the Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, on April 7, 2022. Sunny Chen/The Epoch Times
Mila Evans, an interpreter, liked the spirituality in Shen Yun.
“It was about God, it was about creation. It was really beautiful,” Ms. Evans said. “It was so bright and so enjoyable.”
According to the Shen Yun website, “China was once known as ‘The Land of the Divine.’ This reflected a belief that its glorious culture was brought down from above. People sought harmony among Heaven, Earth, and humankind, and followed the course of nature.”
It is this authentic culture that Shen Yun artists are reviving through exhilarating performances.
“I’m really glad that I was able to experience such a beautiful show,” said Ms. Evans. “It’s bright, beautiful, and enjoyable.”
‘Unique’
Matt Cannard and Sandi Stewart at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at the Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, on April 7, 2022. Mary Zhang/The Epoch Times
Matt Cannard, a management consultant, said Shen Yun is “spectacular.”
“It’s a unique way to tell a story, unlike in ballet that has a bit more of a steady flow. This has this dynamic element where there’s acting that’s happening along with the performance,” he said.
According to the Shen Yun website, classical Chinese dance is a “vast and independent dance form and one of the most comprehensive and expressive dance systems in the world.”
“There’s the audio/visual, the background, and the seamless connection with the foreground, and the performances were amazing. The talent of the dancers were just incredible. The singing was out of this world and unique,” he said.
