PETERSBURG, Fla.—The Duke Energy Center for the Arts audience was delighted that Shen Yun Performing Arts brought traditional Chinese culture to their city.
Many expressed the hope that the spirit of the Chinese people will once more emerge. The performance’s spiritual message also touched many, including company owner Manuel Cabrera.
“They were talking about the return of the Creator. Well, we’re also expecting the return of the Creator. I noticed there was a lot of love and harmony,” said Mr. Cabrera.
“Everything was about being together, and it’s always good versus evil. Through love, good always wins.”
New York-based Shen Yun was founded in 2006 by elite Chinese artists who had fled China due to persecution committed by the Communist Party. For 5,000 years, China’s civilization flourished under the shared belief that the Divine will bless those who uphold traditional moral and spiritual values.
Shen Yun “purifies the soul,” said small business owner Kate Brando. She heard “goodness and kindness” conveyed through the music and loved how emotional and expressive the pieces were.
Uplifting Stories
The stories interpreted through dance touched many, including Christina Bickerstaff, an actress, writer, and board member of an arts initiative.
Ms. Bickerstaff appreciated that Shen Yun addressed issues faced by people in present-day China. “I’m glad that the message is being brought to the masses so that the world can contemplate it, and we can all seek enlightenment,” she said.
Traditional classical Chinese dance and music were new to many in the audience, even artists.
“I really enjoyed the [story-based] dance where, when the [character] was in despair, and the communist people were attacking him and everyone abandoned him, he turned to God,” said Gabriella Russi, a professional dancer.
“We loved the show, and I loved their facial expressions. The technical dance was just beautiful, the technique was flawless, and the storyline was incredible,” Ms. Russi said.
She was also impressed by the erhu, a Chinese two-stringed instrument capable of expressing a wide range of emotions.
Dancing in Harmony
Gabriel Bucky, a company owner, loved how Shen Yun used short story dances to convey a message, inform on past legends, and explore contemporary issues.“I think telling the stories is amazing. I brought my family and my son, and we’re just enjoying it. Every story is told with the movements that they do. It’s translated perfectly through their fluid movements. The show is just fabulous. Fabulous,” he said.
Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn said, “There were 10 or 12 different stories. Each one of them was totally different, but they all blended together in this beautiful culture that I think that the American people need to see more of.”
“You’re going to understand 5,000 years of this beautiful culture in a couple of hours—it went by too fast,” he said.
Many were amazed at how harmoniously the dancers moved together.
Roza Sampolinska, a portrait photographer, was impressed by how the dancers made their costumes move.
“As a photographer, I enjoyed the dancing and the colorful costumes, the movement of the fabric, the grace of the dancers. I see how much work and professionalism it takes,” Ms. Sampolinska said.
“The dresses have horizontal stripes—green, yellow, and orange. When they were moving the fabric, how it flows in the air, it’s just exquisite,” she added.
There are still opportunities to see Shen Yun in the Sunshine State. Florida hosts Shen Yun in Lakeland, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Venice throughout January.
