SAN FRANCISCO—The Shen Yun Performing Arts revival of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization created a reinvigorating event for Kanti and Mona Patel at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Jan. 9. 

“It’s a stress reliever for me,” said Mr. Patel, a busy real estate developer, who was glad he had the chance to enjoy something culturally different.

“I think it’s excellent, it’s outstanding. I’m glad I came I didn’t want to miss this for anything,” Mrs. Patel said, of the New York-based company’s production.

Mrs. Patel, who choreographs Indian dance, was thrilled to see the different folk dances performed as well, such as the dance of the Yao people. Mrs. Patel also noticed the Mongolian chopsticks dance, which reminded her of an Indian folk style.

“The way it’s choreographed is beautiful. The costumes are excellent,” Mrs. Patel said. China has over 50 ethnic minority groups, and many of their dances are included every year in Shen Yun’s all-new performances. Shen Yun dancers also perform classical Chinese dance, which is an independent system of dance passed down and refined through thousands of years, according to the Shen Yun website.

“This is outstanding,” Mrs. Patel said. “It’s great, it’s beautiful,”

Mr. Patel enjoyed the vast range he saw in Shen Yun’s performance as well. The stories and dances ranged from the inception of China’s divinely inspired civilization up to the modern day, and covered many regions of the country as well.

“We wanted to see the Chinese folk dancing,” said Mr. Patel. “That intrigues me quite a bit.”

Deep Traditions

Mrs. Maureen Faria and her daughter Mrs. Rosie Malandro attended the performance for Mrs. Malandro’s birthday.

“I loved it, the opera brought me to tears,” Mrs. Malandro said. Just recalling the Shen Yun’s bel canto vocal soloists brought Mrs. Malandro to tears again.

Mrs. Malandro’s husband is of Asian descent and she remembers him talking fondly of his grandfather listening to Chinese music when he was a child. Mrs. Malandro said she could not understand why, at first.

Shen Yun vocal soloists sing original Chinese compositions, with lyrics of deep meaning. The traditional Chinese values of benevolence, justice, wisdom and propriety come through in the words, which have translations projected onto the digital backdrop.

“I’m crying because it’s so beautiful,” Mrs. Malandro said. 

Reporting by Catherine Yang

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts. 

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.