ESCONDIDO, Calif.—Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company offered both art and spirituality to the audience that came to Escondido’s California Center for the Arts on Sunday, Jan. 22.
Watching the New York-based dance and music company’s performance was Charles Near, retired electrical engineer. Mr. Near’s former job included responsibility for design and development of information technology for Hewlett-Packard.
“Very enjoyable,” said Mr. Near, adding that combination of colors, music, and dancing resulted in an incredible performance.
Shen Yun is reviving the 5,000-year-old Chinese cultural legacy by showcasing classical Chinese dance, as well as folk and ethnic dances which are based on stories drawn from China’s past.
Among the repertoire of dances that intrigued Mr. Nears was Lotus Leaves which features lotus maidens dancing with full-circle fans.
Lotus Leaves was “absolutely gorgeous,” said Mr. Near with feeling. “The movements, the music, the whole thing just flowed together—really nice.”
Shen Yun dancers undergo rigorous training to achieve a foundation in classical Chinese dance which is based on bearing, form, and technique, says the company website. Movements and postures as well as leaping and tumbling techniques are part of the training.
The movements of the female dancers across the stage astounded Mr. Near.
“It’s incredible how they look like they’re gliding on roller skates, but they’re able to move their legs without their hips moving. I don’t know how they do it, but it’s gorgeous, he said.
“I can’t forget to mention the amazingly big flat screen in the background, said Mr. Near.
“Excellent quality, and very cleverly done. The actors on the screen turning into real actors on the stage—that is genius,” he said.
Mr. Near had perceived a theme in the performance that was about the “meaning of life, our linkage to the divine and to the life on earth.”
“It’s uplifting for me … ,” he concluded.
Karen Mazzara, a registered nurse and student studying for a master’s degree in public health who had accompanied Mr. Near to see Shen Yun, agreed.
“I think it’s a combination of art and spirituality—it’s absolutely beautiful,” said Ms. Mazzara.
Ms. Charo Monge attended the Saturday matinee of Shen Yun Performing Arts which she said was the second time for her, as she had seen it two years before and would see it again and again.
“Just love it—the discipline, and the coordination, and the choreography are just tremendous,” she said enthusiastically.
Ms. Monge had recently left a non-profit organization in Spain where she had been manager for 22 years.
Shen Yun “is incredibly positive! Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful,” she added fervently.
The message conveyed by Shen Yun, in Ms. Monge’s opinion, was about spiritual beliefs, and having faith in the future as well as the “idea that there is something else up there waiting for us.”
Reporting by Lu Rusong, and Diane Cordemans.
Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company will next perform in Phoenix, at the ASU Gammage, Jan. 27 to 29.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
