NORFOLK, Va.—Shen Yun Performing Arts gave three full-house performances in Virginia the weekend of Jan. 7–8.
Some came for the first time while others came back taking their families and friends. Many left the show with an uplifted outlook and an unforgettable experience.
Dr. Claudio D. Divino found many things to resonate with when he watched Shen Yun Performing Arts on Jan. 7 at Chrysler Hall. Dr. Divino teaches cross-cultural communications, world religions, and ministry at the Mid-Atlantic Christian University.
“I was especially impressed with the concept that the show brings to us,” said Dr. Divino. “That we have more meaning in life than just being here.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen the show. It’s absolutely wonderful and beautiful. And I would love to see it many, many more times,” said Billy Upton, owner of Ballou Justice Upton Architects, which has designed many schools and hospitals in Virginia.
“It was wonderful. Everything was wonderful,” said Corey Aiken, who saw Shen Yun with her husband.
“The music, the performance, the dance, the whole story behind it, it just was exhilarating, and really, really enjoyed the whole production,” said Christopher Aiken, who is the owner of a sign and graphics company.
“I was exhilarated after each dance, after each setup. And the singers were wonderful, and I really loved the Oriental instrument. That was wonderful,” Mr. Aiken added.
“The dance, the culture, the movement, everything is beautiful,” said former Lt. Colonel Dabney Timmerman. “It’s very artistic and it’s absolutely beautiful.”
“The coordination, the hard work, the effort that goes into doing all of that kind of coordination … you can tell that they love what they are truly doing, and love what they are bringing to not just the United States but to the world,” he added.
From legend to myth, from ethnic to folk dance—Shen Yun aims to revive 5,000 years of Chinese culture, inspired by the heavens.
Many audience members said Shen Yun is more than just a performance, it is a spiritual journey.
“I’ve loved the spiritual aspect of it. And I think it’s so close to our spiritual journey too. In the end, we’re all human and all going to be hopefully saved by a god, a higher being,” said Mrs. Aiken.
Darrell Turner, a federal government official, said the performance embodied a message for humanity. “It was very soulful. It is very spiritual. If someone sees this and it doesn’t touch them spiritually, something’s wrong.”
“The entire performance embodied the idea that humanity needs to be kinder to each other, that our world now is sliding away from simple humanity—taking care of each other and being kind to other people,” he added.
Mr. Turner also said that Shen Yun is “like getting back to taking care of each other, not just your family, not just your friends, but being nice and kind to everybody that you meet. Amazing.”
For Dr. Divino, the performance also affected his spiritual side. “It brings me to understand how important it is for people to look at everything else that’s going around—not only what they’ve seen, but the fact that there’s a creator, and he cares about us.”
They added that the performance is a must and will uplift the soul.
“This show gives you hope,” said Upton. “It’s inspiring. It’s beautiful. And I just loved it, I don’t think there’s anything that could help us more than to see something like this.”
“I will tell every one of them it’s a must-see if they get the opportunity,” Timmerman said. “When you’re sitting there, you’re really thinking about nothing else,” he added “It’s almost like a spiritual journey.”
In the coming week, Shen Yun will be performing in Berkeley, California; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and 12 other cities.
Shiwen Rong, NTD News
