Shen Yun Performing Arts graced the stages in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Johnson City, Tennessee, on Feb. 6. Audience members say they were captivated and in awe at Shen Yun’s artistry.
“I’m very impressed with the show. The quality of the performers is amazing. The music is very, very good as well. It’s a very, very good show,” said Gregory Crabill, who is a doctor and also a professor at ETSU Health.
“It was so beautiful that it just settled on you, it was like calming. It was calming to the spirit,” said Vena Thompson, who is a landscaper.
“Just incredible how synchronized they were and perfectly timed. Just so elegant and beautiful, it was just amazing,” said Patty Beuris, who is a retired teacher from Science Hill High School.
Shen Yun draws inspiration from China’s 5,000 years of culture and its values, which were believed to be divinely inspired. Theatergoers expressed their appreciation for Shen Yun’s efforts to bring those traditions to life.
“I really think it would be wonderful to bring back ancient Chinese culture and spread it throughout China. And just quiet all the concerns that they have and all the oppression that they come through,” said Diane Campbell, who is a retired assistant VP at the Bank of America.
“The idea of China before communism is very good. I think that currently the government of China wants us to only see China as they are now. But China has a rich, very rich history which we in the West need to understand, to be able to understand the Chinese people,” said Mr. Crabill.
William Jones, who is a mechanical design engineer at ArcBest Technologies, highly praised Shen Yun’s mission to bring back traditional Chinese culture.
“It’s a wonderful mission and a wonderful project. I get to be in a place where I don’t necessarily have to worry about that kind of persecution, that kind of attack on my culture or my history. It’s a relatively free place. But to be able to preserve that is courageous.”
Shen Yun Performing Arts has 8 companies touring the world simultaneously, bringing an all new program with them every season.
“I think it gives a true kind of essence to a culture and a background that we normally don’t get to see in the States. And I think that’s something that really everybody needs to enjoy and see something like that once in their life at least,” said Shaun Braun, who is a service manager at Carco International, Inc.
“Thank them so much. I just want to say how impressed and how absolutely beautiful that the whole show has been,” said Ms. Campbell.
“I think it’s all been great. It’s gone together very well and been pretty informative as to that very ancient historical practice and culture. It’s been very enlightening to see and I’ve really enjoyed it,” said Mr. Jones.
Shen Yun will perform at the Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona, on Feb. 7 and 8.
NTD News, New York
