Businessman: Shen Yun ‘Really Great’

PASADENA, Calif.—Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company captivated theater-goers on Friday evening, April 29, during Los Angeles County's second performance held at the historic Pasadena Civic Center.

The New York-based company arrived Thursday morning from Chicago, they have been thrilling audiences with their unique classical Chinese music and dance presentation.

Among those in attendance was business man Abdel Kattab who was very impressed by the performance.

“I enjoyed the night, tonight. All of them did very, very well, extremely well,” Mr. Kattab said of the Shen Yun artists performing song and dance pieces.

One dance particularly stood out for him, Plum Blossom a vignette that tells a story about resilience amidst adversity, as the small blossoms bloom even in snow.

"It was beautiful. Everything was really great! You know, with the flowers, and the blossoms, that was a great piece.”

In addition to the entertainment quality of Shen Yun, Mr. Kattab enjoyed the presentation from an educational aspect, which offered not only a view of the true ancient culture of China but a window into some contemporary issues as well.

“It gave me a great experience about the Chinese culture and the persecution against the freedom of the Chinese people to practice religion or spirituality. So it awakened us," Mr. Kattab said. “We will come again!”

'I can relate to it'

During the show's intermission Ajit Bhamrah, a civil engineer from Pasadena said he saw a lot of similarities with his own Indian philosophy—spirit and feelings.

"I can relate to it very much." He further explained; "Meeting with the Creator … that you suffer so many lifetimes—all of those things are part of the same kind of philosophy we have—so that's really nice."

Every year, Shen Yun performs new dances, songs from the 5,000 years of ancient Chinese culture.

Mr. Bhamrah said, "They made it look so easy but it's really very difficult. They must have worked pretty hard … the movements and everything, very, very impressive."

Speaking philosophically regarding the persecution of human rights in modern day China portrayed in a couple of dances, Mr. Bhamrah said, "China used to be the basis of all wisdom, philosophy, all the good things versus now, it's getting a little bit corrupted by the authorities. So I could relate to that also."

The evening closed with a standing ovation for the Shen Yun performers.

Reporting by Jim Li and Maria Banks.

Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company will be in Escondido, May 3-5, then onto the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County, May 6-8. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org