SAN FRANCISCO—Dario Sattui, one of California’s great vintners, was captivated by the power of the dancers in Shen Yun Performing Arts after attending the performance with Ms. Irina Yartseva at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco on Jan. 4.

“The dancers are beautiful,” Mr. Sattui said. “I love the costumes, and I love the music.” 

New York-based Shen Yun revives 5,000 years of Chinese civilization through dance, brilliant costumes, music blending East and West, and an animated backdrop.

Mr. Sattui had grown up with stories of the winery, V. Sattui Winery, that his great-grandfather founded in San Francisco in 1885. The winery was closed during Prohibition, and in 1972, Mr. Sattui realized his dream of re-establishing the winery, which had been dormant for over 50 years.

The traditional values Mr. Sattui saw in the culture depicted by Shen Yun inspired and touched him the most.

Principles like benevolence and justice, propriety and wisdom, respect for the heavens, and divine retribution, are the essence of traditional Chinese culture, and the arts Shen Yun performs are steeped in these values.

Mr. Sattui said he had great respect for both the hard work and training the performers put into the production, and the values they brought forth.

“I admire and respect Chinese culture so much, for so many reasons,” Mr. Sattui 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.