Shen Yun: Bringing Traditional Chinese Culture to the Stage
FOR A DAZZLING EXPERIENCE UNLIKE ANY OTHER, SEE AN INSIGHTFUL,
AWE-INSPIRING SHEN YUN PERFORMANCE DURING THEIR 2020 TOUR.
While there’s nothing quite like seeing a live, musical performance, the energetic orchestral music, classically-trained dancers, breathtaking costumes and innovative animated backgrounds of a Shen Yun performance are simply not-to-be-missed.
During this sensational performance, you can learn about traditional Chinese culture, dating back 5,000 years, that has nearly disappeared from modern China. Not only is the show enlightening and eye-opening it also leaves audiences feeling uplifted and inspired.
REVIVING HISTORY
China was once called Shen Zhou or “The Divine Land.” Its culture was heavily influenced by spirituality and the belief that their traditions came from the heavens. People of that time followed the course of nature and aspired to harmony among Heaven, earth and humanity.
This drive for harmony lasted until 1949 when communism started to spread across China. An aggressive political ideology, communism would spend decades trying to eradicate spiritual heritage from Chinese society — and it nearly achieved this goal.
AN ASPIRATIONAL GROUP
Though you won’t find Shen Yun thriving in China today, traditional Chinese culture has survived thanks to some inspirational artists.
Shen Yun Performing Arts is a non-profit organization with the goal of reviving China’s traditional, uniquely beautiful culture — that had nearly faded from existence — and share it with the world.
POWERFUL PERFORMANCES
Since its conception by a group of Chinese artists in 2006, Shen Yun has become an international phenomenon, with millions of people enjoying the stories, music, and dances of an older time.
A live performance is impressive when the performers are disciplined and talented, but what makes a show truly amazing is the chemistry between the artists.
While the show’s artists are highly skilled, there’s also the sense of a shared journey. The artists not only perform together, but they also meditate and study teachings together, too. This camaraderie carries into their performances, making for even more memorable audience experiences.
DANCE AS AN ART
The classical Chinese dance that Shen Yun performs can trace its origins back thousands of years. This type of dance features impressive flips and spins as well as gentle elegance, managing to strike a balance between serious acrobatics and graceful dance.
Equally athletic and expressive, the show’s dancers are some of the best in the world. What’s more, you cannot find this exact kind of dance anywhere else. While others have made changes or mixed this dance style with others over the years, Shen Yun is unique in its classical, purist approach.
Performances feature folk and ethnic dances from over 50 distinct groups, as well as story-based dances. These “mini-dramas” tell the tales of heroes from the past and present.
MAGICAL MUSIC
The Shen Yun Orchestra combines the distinct beauty and spirit of Chinese music with the grand power and refinement of Western symphony orchestras. By utilizing the best musical practices from the East and West, Shen Yun is able to produce truly original music, bringing together traditional Chinese instruments like the erhu and pipa with Western brass, percussion, and strings. Along with its uniquely diverse orchestra, the show also features vocal soloists. These gifted singers perform using the “bel canto technique,” which is similar to opera.
VIBRANT VISUALS
To call a Shen Yun performance visually appealing is an understatement. The costumes are not only stunning in terms of color and design, but they are also true to traditional Chinese aesthetics, reflecting the styles from a variety of dynasties, regions and ethnic groups.
The effort that goes into the stagecraft is also notable. The lighting, stage and sound design of these performances mix traditional artistic techniques with modern technology to make for thrilling, seamless storytelling.
The use of digital projections creates an even more immersive experience, quite literally setting the stage for Shen Yun’s dancers and musicians. During singers’ performances, the traditional Chinese song texts are translated and can be seen on the backdrop, ensuring that audience members won’t miss a beat.
SHEN YUN 2020
Each year, the ensemble travels for about six months, performing shows in 1,510 cities across the globe. Equally impressive is the fact that the show is constantly evolving. Shen Yun premieres new performances yearly by incorporating fresh choreography, costumes, digital backdrops, music and storylines into the show.
This year, the group will be performing in various cities across the United States from January through May. Check out Shen Yun Orange County or Los Angeles. Other nearby performances will be in Palm Desert and more. www.shenyun.com/la.
Whether you find yourself moved by the music, entertained by the stories or awed by the dancing, a Shen Yun performance will stick with you long after you leave the theater.
