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World’s Premier Classical Chinese Dance & Music Production Returns to Detroit (Jan. 26-29, 2012) and Toledo (March 17 & 18)
A GIFT FROM A DIVINE LAND: There was a time long, long ago when China was known as Tian Chao— The Land of the Divine. The arts and the culture there were considered so exquisite and so vibrant that they could only have been bestowed by the heavens. And thus the people of the land strove to hold themselves to a higher standard so as to be worthy of such gifts.
Today, Shen Yun brings these gifts to you. Perhaps it is the quiet gentleness of the heavenly maidens that reminds us of a better time and a better world. Perhaps it is the conviction of warriors dashing across the plains that tells us that good always defeats evil in the end. Or maybe it’s just the timeless stories of courage and compassion, kindness and kinship.
A PERFORMANCE 5,000 YEARS IN THE MAKING: A performance by Shen Yun is traditional Chinese culture as it was meant to be: a study in grace, wisdom, and all the virtues distilled from millennia of Chinese civilization. The classically trained dancers, musicians, and singers of Shen Yun Performing Arts share a vision: to revive and restore Chinese culture to its former, glorious state.
Based in New York, Shen Yun Performing Arts is distinguished by its conscious effort to remain independent of China’s communist regime, which has abused and impoverished the arts for decades. In fact, a show like Shen Yun’s can no longer be found in China today. As one well-traveled New Yorker noted: “I’ve seen China before with my eyes, but this show had me experience China with my soul.”
ONE OF THE MOST
DEMANDING ART FORMS IN THE WORLD
No other art form in the world boasts such strong expressive qualities and diversity of technique as classical Chinese dance. It takes years of rigorous training to master the many leaps, flips, and delicate gestures. Dancers must also be versed in Chinese culture to achieve the bearing needed to bring ancient legends and heroic figures to life.
In addition to the classical forms, Shen Yun features the distinctive colors and styles of ethnic and folk dance. Choreographers draw upon over 20 dynasties and 50 ethnic groups to create pieces that range from the northern steppes of Mongolia to the lush forests of Yunnan. Among the most impressive elements of any Shen Yun show are the large-scale ensemble pieces in which dozens of dancers appear to move as one body across the stage.
Shen Yun has also created its very own brand of story-based dance, which often deals with universal, thought-provoking themes. As one distinguished ballet dancer noted, “There’s a lot of depth and meaning. It’s a new realm of dance.”
TWO GREAT CLASSICAL MUSIC TRADITIONS — ONE FRESH, UNEXPECTED SOUND
Some remarkable instruments such as the pipa or erhu date back more than 3,500 years, but the reality is very few Chinese instruments have made it to the world stage. To remedy this, the composers of Shen Yun bathe the distinctly Chinese sounds in a rich sea of Western strings, percussion, woodwinds, and brass. The result? A new and mesmerizing sound.
Each season, the composers create over 20 original scores. They work closely with the choreographers to ensure a seamless blending of the music with each and every dance.
EXTRAORDINARY ARTISTS: “There’s just something about them,” audience members often remark.
At a time when the influence of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism was strong in the Middle Kingdom, art was a means to explore the connection between mankind and the higher universe. Poets and artists cultivated virtue and engaged in study and meditation because they believed that to create true art worthy of the heavens, there must first be inner beauty and purity.
Today, the artists of Shen Yun follow in that noble tradition. Their training regimen requires focus and a mindful lifestyle.
Among the company’s artists are accomplished choreographers and composers as well as winners of international competitions in dance, music, and singing. No other Chinese performing arts group in the world can boast such a remarkable body of talent.
A BRAND NEW PRODUCTION FOR 2012 WORLD TOUR: Months of training and preparation culminate each winter when Shen Yun debuts a spectacular original production with all new dances, costumes, and music.
To date, Shen Yun Performing Arts has performed in over 130 cities, playing in notable venues like the Lincoln Center (New York), Kennedy Center (Washington DC), War Memorial Opera House (San Francisco) and Palais de Congres (Paris).
Experience the extraordinary.
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