Shen Yun Performing Arts graced the Terrace Theatre stage in Long Beach, California, on March 30 and March 31 showcasing an all-new program of classical Chinese dance and musical pieces.
Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, for District 1 in the city of Long Beach, awarded Shen Yun a certificate of recognition, applauding the company for its revival of Chinese culture.
“What I got from the show today was that [it is] so important to understand culture from its historic form and to be able to embrace it and celebrate it. And I think that’s what I want to continue doing as long as we keep having them back,” she said.
Along with stories from China’s past, Shen Yun shines a light on the current human rights abuses happening in communist China. Especially its persecution of faith groups.
Melinda Boyer, co-founder of Carnegie Principle Mastermind, said, “The stories that were behind it, and knowing that it’s still going on today, you know, was heart-moving to me because you still see it. And I believe that everybody needs to come together as one, and stop the fighting and be more passionate, be more loving, and be more caring.”
Theodore Christian Sieving, partner at XNOVO Legal, said “a beautiful message and also one of a struggle and oppression, a struggle for freedom, where even freedom of thought is restricted. And people can be punished for even just reading a book, or believing certain things which, we’re here in America, we’re supposed to have freedom of belief and practice of religion, and to see the oppression of that, in what seems to be a very positive message is, it’s powerful and very thought provoking.”
Shen Yun’s performances also uphold themes of spirituality, something deeply rooted in Chinese history. Dance pieces and music compositions showcase universal values like truth, compassion, and forbearance.
Barbie Layton, a best-selling author, said “I believe that we’re all divine beings having human experiences, and be able to have the opportunity to be able to connect to that level as well. I think that when we step into that spiritual realm as well, it just enhances everything … That whole truth, compassionate forbearance, that I hope that the world can really get back to a place where we can find harmony and peace within ourselves so that we can all get along.”
Don Boyer, co-founder of Carnegie Principle Mastermind, said, “When you watch a performance like this, it begins to move you in so many different ways: from a spiritual aspect, from an energetic, from a mental. And it really comes across where it begins to allow you to see life in a much bigger spectrum. … I would say that this performance is something that is transformational, and it will allow individuals to take a look at this and walk away a different person than they walked in. It was amazing.”
Shen Yun will next perform at the Cedar Rapids Paramount Theatre in Iowa on April 10 and April 11.
NTD News, Long Beach, California
