ATLANTA—Attorney Jim Head saw Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time on Feb. 1, and felt the traditional culture of 5,000 years held many universal values that were not much different from the ideals of Western civilization.

“Tradition is forever,” said Mr. Head, adding that he thought the performance conveyed that even today, we should not “forget the old ways.”

“It’s beautiful. It’s absolutely beautiful,” said Mr. Head after seeing the performance at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. “The tradition is amazing. It really is.”

“I had no idea what that would be like,” he said of his first experience. He soon discovered what Shen Yun accomplished was wholly unique.

“It’s magical. There’s nothing like it,” said Mr. Anderson, a trader. “There’s nothing like it today.”