COSTA MESA, Calif.—New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company received a warm greeting from cultural aficionados arriving at Segerstrom Hall on the evening of January 20.
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive China’s ancient culture, according to the company’s website.
“For 5,000 years divine culture blossomed in the land of China,” says the company’s website. “Mankind’s treasure was nearly lost, but through captivating music and dance, Shen Yun is bringing a divine culture back to life.”
Among those in the audience who enjoyed Shen Yun were Saleem Shaikh and his wife, Mrs. Shaikh.
Mr. Shaikh was struck by the dance that tells the story of The Sand Monk, which depicts part of the Chinese classic Journey to the West. “That’s a standout,” he said.
Shen Yun’s handmade costumes often draw praise from audience members.
“Every costume in a Shen Yun performance is presented with brilliant colors, displaying a splendid spectacle—from the Tang Dynasty’s ‘Raiment of Rainbows and Feathers’ to imperial dragon robes, phoenix coronets, and cloud capes; from the civil official’s headdress and robes to the warrior’s helmet and armor; and from the traditional rightward cross-collared Han clothing to the ethnic attire of the Manchurian, Tibetan, Dai, Mongol, and Uyghur ethnic groups,” according to Shen Yun’s website.
“I especially like all the costumes, very colorful,” said Mrs. Shaikh.
Mr. and Mrs. Shaikh travel extensively and have made many visits to China. They feel familiar with the ancient culture, and saw it being revived throughout Shen Yun’s performance.
When one looks beyond the surface, every dance had an inner meaning, said Mr. Shaikh. He was still contemplating the performance.
“I’m still absorbing,” he said. “So I was enjoying it quite a bit.”
He also appreciated how the performance highlighted different regions of the vast country.
Shen Yun’s vocal soloists use the bel canto vocal while singing Chinese lyrics, according to Shen Yun’s website, singing all original compositions.
“The soprano was very, very good,” said Mr. Shaikh. “Excellent!”
Reporting by Lu Rusong and Maria Banks.
Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company will perform in Thousand Oaks at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Jan. 22 and 23, and downtown Los Angeles at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Jan. 25 through 27. Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York, tours the world on a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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