SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.— On the evening of April 29, Shen Yun Performing Arts opened its first of two performances at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo. In attendance was psychologist Anastasia Makovskaia, who had a great time.
After seeing multiple advertisements on Facebook, she fell in love with the bright colors of Shen Yun and wanted to experience traditional Chinese culture for herself.
“I’ve been wanting to come here for a while. … It’s wonderful. I’m enjoying getting a deeper understanding of the culture, which I’ve heard of—a little bit,” she said.
According to its website, Shen Yun’s patented 3D digital technology works together with the performers to “extend the stage to infinite realms” and brings to its audience “storytelling without limits.”
“It’s done so perfectly,” Ms. Makovskaia said. “You can barely see how the picture moves from [live action on stage] to the screen. It’s so good.”
The name ‘Shen Yun” translates directly into “the beauty of divine beings dancing.” Based in New York, it is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company dedicated to reviving China’s rich culture, nearly lost under decades of communist rule.
Shen Yun’s program is comprised of a series of short pieces that take its audience on a ride through the dynasties and across the vast regions of China. Using classical Chinese, folk, and ethnic dances, as well as solo musical performances, the artists tell tales from ancient times to the modern day.
“It was amazing to actually hear [the music] played by real instruments,” she shared. “We hear it here and there in movies, but to actually hear it played [live,] it’s wonderful.”
Moreover, reflecting on the Chinese Communist Party’s systematic destruction of traditional Chinese spirituality, Ms. Makovskaia said, “That’s heartbreaking.”
“I’m a little bit familiar with the myths and legends, and all these gods—but to actually understand how hard and how bad it [is] repressed. … That was heartbreaking,” she expressed.
“I think [Shen Yun’s] message is to give us a hand to have an understanding of the culture and the religion. We need to go back to our roots.”
