HONOLULU— Colleen Ogura found her first taste of the magic of Shen Yun Performing Arts to be a ‘rare performance’.

“There are only three chances [in Honolulu] to see the performance,” said Ms. Ogura. “If you’ve never seen it, this is a good chance!”

Ms. Ogura, a DJ for Japanese radio,said her “heart was touched” as she experienced Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company on their opening night at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, on May 8.

“This is a good chance to see [ancient] Chinese culture,” she said. “I didn’t know that in China you cannot see this show.”

Shen Yun Performing Arts is a non-profit based in upstate New York. The freedom of expression allowed in the West provides them the opportunity to show the world genuine ancient Chinese culture. Shen Yun cannot be seen in today’s communist China.

Working in the entertainment world in Hawaii, Ms. Ogura sees many different types of cultural shows.

She said, “This is really professional. I work in entertainment all the time but this is very good.”

Her perception of the spiritual essence of Shen Yun Performing Arts show was that “it’s very pure.”

‘It’s Once in a Lifetime!’

Shen Yun Performing Arts opening night also made a lasting impression on Alistair Rokstad, a residential PV designer for Haleakala Solar.

He was deeply touched by the entire evening’s performance, “It’s fantastic! The costumes are exquisite, the acrobatic tumbling component is mesmerizing.”

“It’s beautiful, absolutely wonderful,” he gushed. “It’s great!”

Mr. Rokstad recognized the importance of the legends, myths, and heroic tales of ancient and contemporary China and its divinely inspired principles and values.

“I’m glad that they can have that venue outside of China since there’s persecution against them,” he said, referring to the Chinese communist regime banning Shen Yun from the country and actively trying to prevent its performances elsewhere. “It’s wonderful that they’re able to share the traditional values in this performance. It’s awesome.”

Shen Yun’s website explains some of these traditional values that inspire the performers and artists: “Throughout history almost every culture looked toward the divine for inspiration. Art was meant to uplift, bringing joy to both the people who created and experienced it. It is this principle that drives Shen Yun performers and their art.”

“It’s certainly inspiring, it’s beautiful,” continued Mr. Rokstad.

He has some advice for his friends and family too.

“It’s awesome,” he said in closing, “Definitely go. My friend sold me on it; it was well worth it.”

Reporting by Sally Sun and Cheryl Casati

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.