“If you read about Chinese traditional history, it’s about compassion, it’s about kindness, it’s about how to help other people,” said Tri Ta, a California State Assembly Member for the 70th District. “So I’m really inspired by the show. Shen Yun Performing Arts is amazing. I love it. I love the way all the performers, they tell the story, and they share the culture, like family values, like compassion. That’s amazing.”
“It’s a very cultural experience. I’ve seen so many dance performances, orchestration performances, [and] the 3D effects just blew me away. Everyone must see this. It’s really, really good,” said Dorothy Pemberton, a councilwoman for the City of Downey. “It’s an amazing show. The dancing, the music, the choreography is absolutely amazing, very well put together.”
“The entire first half has given me goosebumps. It’s really been strong messaging. It’s the story. It’s a journey from the very beginning to where we are right now in the show. It’s like I said, a strong message and the choreography really makes you feel a part of everything the way it’s put together,” said Rene Trevino, the mayor of Artesia.
Assemblyman Ta said, “We are all aware that Falun Gong was harassed and harassed by the Chinese communist government for more than 20 years, and I think the world is aware of that. I am aware of that, and I really appreciate Falun Gong continuing to raise that awareness and continue to tell the story to the world, what is happening in China right now. And I really love all the stories. So the show is, I think [an] opportunity for Shen Yun performers to revive Chinese traditional culture, and that’s a beautiful culture. I love that.”
Councilwoman Pemberton said, “They will not succumb to what communist China has, what the regime has. They want to be able to live in the culture and the way that they’ve had in the past. And I think keeping that way and keeping it viable, and making awareness for the young people, just like we do in our country today, is very important.”
Drawing inspiration from China’s rich cultural heritage, each performance also presents themes of spirituality and kindness, which resonated deeply with theatergoers.
Mayor Trevino said, “It really is a peaceful message. It’s a message of unity. It’s a message of divine holiness. There’s a lot of peace that comes through in the performances that are being conveyed tonight. If we were to take care of each other and really look out for each other and embrace each other, the world would be a much better place. Society would be much more peaceful, much more progressive, and really be better all the way around.”
“The way they transformed the history of China and things that happened in the past and today. The positivity of the present, it kind of reflects on what we are today and how you know our situations are. So keep that positivity and just always keep goodness and kindness in your heart,” said Councilwoman Pemberton.
