SPOKANE, Wash.— James Glover, aircraft electrician, and Raina Krivina, senior scientist, saw Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time at the First Interstate Center for the Arts on March 9.

As a history major in college, Mr. Glover appreciated how Shen Yun’s story-based dances tell tales from ancient times to the modern-day, spanning 5,000 years of China’s history.

“I enjoyed a lot of it … you can tell that all the actors are really into the history of what they’re doing,” he said.

“Who you are spans the spiritual, it also spans your history and … the history of your culture … it’s all interwoven,” he added. “And I think it’s just another beautiful interpretation of bridging the gap between us and something greater.”

“You can’t just have one piece without the rest.”

Ms. Kravinia said she enjoyed hearing the traditional Chinese musical instruments and that the orchestra “was so well done together with the performance.”

“You can tell that it’s very traditional Chinese music, very beautiful, just incredible tunes,” she said.

“It’s very important to remember your tradition, to remember your roots, and educate the younger generations about them because, without history, we don’t have our footing in today’s world that gives us strength and allows us to have values,” she added.

Along with myths and legends from ancient times, Shen Yun presents story-based dances portraying the persecution of Falun Dafa, a meditation discipline based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

Ms. Kravinia said she was amazed at how “hard they have to work to maintain those values and how willing they are to sacrifice to preserve them and fight for them.”

“It’s the reminder of all the suffering in the world that is happening, and it pushes me to think about it more and see in which ways I can help,” she said.

Mr. Glover said he hopes more people come to see Shen Yun.

“It’s important to see life from more than just your own point of view,” he said.