SAN DIEGO—Don and Darlene Merritt spent part of their 39th wedding anniversary celebration at Shen Yun Performing Arts at San Diego Civic Theatre on Saturday afternoon.

The couple, who own a fire alarm business in California, said it was the first time they saw Shen Yun, and they enjoyed it very much.

“Amazing performance,” Mr. Merritt said. “The music was beautiful.”

“The colors were just vibrant and really alive,” said Ms. Merritt. “Visually stimulating. ... The dancing was awesome.”

Ms. Merritt said she’s seen posters for Shen Yun for many years and always hoped to see it someday. Ahead of their anniversary trip to San Diego this weekend, down from their home in Murrieta, her husband told her he purchased tickets to the performance.

“I didn’t know what it was about, but I’ve always wanted to see it, and then he got it. I was like, ‘I’m so excited,’” she said.

A Shen Yun performance is accompanied by its own live orchestra, with both traditional Chinese and Western musical instruments combined into a unique sound. Individual dance vignettes display classical Chinese dance, story-based dances, and folk and ethnic dances, interspersed with musical soloists and a pair of bilingual emcees who provide information about the artists.

Ms. Merritt said she felt the struggles of the artists through their performance, and noted how they had to leave China to be able to have a better life. She said the overall message she received from Shen Yun was very positive.

“Love and peace,” she said. “Goodness instead of violence.”

In conclusion, Mr. Merritt emphasized his appreciation for the artists’ skills and hard work, and said the performance was excellent.

“We just had a really good time,” said Mr. Merritt. “Very good time.”