Shen Yun Performing Arts dazzled audiences at the First Interstate Center for the Arts in Spokane, Washington, on March 8 and 9. Audience members were deeply touched by the beauty of ancient Chinese culture showcased on stage.
Sean Maesner, a former business owner, said: "I was very moved by the classical women's dance. That's going to have a lasting impression on me, for sure."
"It was wonderful. We love live orchestra and it was flawless in making the dance just beautiful, and the costumes were amazing," said Holly Brown, a business owner.
"When I found out the costumes were handmade, I was just blown away. So we were wondering how much time it would take for all the details and how much work went into this performance. It's very amazing," said Zandra Zupan, a behavioral specialist.
Shen Yun's mission is to revive China's 5,000 years of divinely inspired civilization and virtues, and currently has eight companies touring around the globe. Audience members applauded Shen Yun's efforts to revive a culture that was once almost lost under modern-day China's communist rule.
"It's beautiful. And we're very hopeful that that culture can be restored and that the repression of the Chinese Communist Party will come to an end," said Keith Brown, a business owner. "Not only how old it is, but how it builds on itself and how much of it is based on timeless, simple values of tolerance and getting along with everyone and just kindness. It's very beautiful."
"It's important to know our history, and I really love that they are trying to bring light to the situation and the reality of
how things were and where they're at and maybe where they might go in the future," said Zandra Zupan.
"It made me cry because we were already familiar with what happens in China. Still does, and to see it in such a beautiful performance, it's striking, it's wonderful," said Holly Brown. "We are open to all types of culture, religion. It's all very important to make us all feel like we belong here and that we came here for a reason. It was very beautiful to see it incorporated with all of the traditions."
Shen Yun will be performing at the Des Moines Civic Center in Des Moines, Iowa, on March 15.