The beautiful Southern city of Charlotte, N.C, is preparing to host Shen Yun Performing Arts on April 15 and 16 at the Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.
The New York-based performing arts company has become popular in cities the world over since its inception in 2006, and Charlotte is no exception.
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive China’s 5,000 years of traditional culture. Unfortunately, Shen Yun is banned in China.
China’s Ancient Culture
When he saw Shen Yun in 2023, Todd Hewey, a producer for Christian television station Inspiration Ministries, said, “Chinese culture is ancient, and did so much for the world. Since the CCP has come in, it has brought a darkness over that country and the countries surrounding it.”“More people have to see [Shen Yun],” said Mr. Hewey. “More people have to see what these performers are doing.”
“[Shen Yun] touches on the beauty of the culture, but then also all the atrocities that are happening right now,” Joe Pharr, an engineer and project manager, said.
“It’s a shame that [Shen Yun] is not promoted by the current government in China,” said Randy Jones, vice president for an engineering company, “so I’m glad it’s been preserved [in] New York.”
Seven years ago, Fred Waite, CEO of a tech company, and his children fell in love with Shen Yun Performing Arts, and since then, they have returned to the theater to catch Shen Yun’s performance every year.
“It’s magical,” said Mr. Waite. “You gotta appreciate the art of dancing, but when you take the history of it and combine it with the challenge of China—I’ve been there many times—I can appreciate what they say about the challenges, and so it’s neat to see just the freedom on the stage.”
Shen Yun’s spiritual messages have inspired many audience members.
Ted Maziejka, a consultant, said, “This could give a lot of hope, great inspiration. If this message could get to many people, you would see a different world.”
Attorney Renner St. John said how important it is to keep traditional culture alive, as Shen Yun does. “I think it is of the utmost importance. I think that young people today should embrace not only the traditions of the past but the beauty and the culture, and the knowledge, and the values of the past. I would love to see those things brought.”
Many, such as accomplished researcher James Elliot, were inspired by the values of ancient China as expressed in Shen Yun’s performances.
“Principles such as benevolence and justice, propriety and wisdom, respect for the heavens, and divine retribution, all come to life, washing over the audience,” reads Shen Yun’s website. “Originating from Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, these ideals are the essence of traditional Chinese culture.”
This year, as Shen Yun is set to perform in over 200 cities around the world and across five continents, the 2025 touring season is shaping up to be the artists’ busiest yet and a glorious treat for theatergoers.
