Shen Yun Performing Arts captivated audiences in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 4 with a display of art, beauty, and culture.
“When it comes to the stage and presenting this, having come from New York and now seeing it in Charlotte, so many audiences get to open this box, this box of culture and history. To see that shared with the world, I think is very special,” said Daniel Greuter, director of Global Security Fusion Center.
Former public works director Jim Henrikson said: “The music, the dancing. It was awesome. I actually had tears in my eyes three different times.”
Based in New York, Shen Yun has taken on a mission—to revive China’s 5,000 years of civilization and culture. That’s conveyed through classical Chinese dance performances with a backdrop of a live combined East-West orchestra.
Dentist Connor Johnson attended the performance with his wife. “There were playful moments like the monkey and the lion, and there were deeper moments talking about spirituality, really peaceful music, more upbeat music. It was really nice. There’s a lot of different themes throughout.”
“It was really special to see all that culture that maybe you don’t get to see now—with the communist regime,” said Brian Rice, product manager of an international company.
“I find it interesting how traditional Chinese culture bleeds into a lot of other cultures in the region. I just find it important to preserve these traditions, no matter what new culture waves are coming. It’s really important to keep those for the history, and to keep performing traditional dance and use traditional art to express ourselves,” said data management analyst Elena Greuter.
Mr. Johnson added: “the more experiences you share with others, the closer we come together. And it was really nice to see another side of China that we don’t get to see often.”
Shen Yun translates to the beauty of divine beings dancing. And some audience members commented that they felt that come through on stage.
“I was really impressed with just how much energy, how much positivity there was in the traditional dance. I really felt like I learned something new that I had never seen before, and it’s really inspirational,” said Mr. Rice.
“It’s not just beautiful paintings, sculptures, or dances. It’s the art within your very being as well, which I understand ‘Shen Yun’ means the power of divine beings dancing. And you absolutely see that on stage from beginning to end,” said Lauren Ashley, a Bank of America investment manager.
Each year, Shen Yun premieres an all-new production. Its 2023 season is currently rolling out in California, Florida, and other U.S. states.
NTD News, Charlotte, North Carolina
