New York: Audiences Bask in the Spirit of Shen Yun (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net) Shen Yun Performing Arts received rave reviews after performing at Lincoln Center's David H. Koch Theater in New York recently. The ten-show engagement started on January 6 and runs through January 16, 2011.

Sylvia Elbaz, former host of cooking show Health's Kitchen, at the Shen Yun performance at New York's Lincoln Center

Sylvia Elbaz, former host of the cooking show Health’s Kitchen on PBS affiliate WNYC-TV, and an avid nutritionist, was one of the many distinguished guests attending the show. Ms. Elbaz is also a singer and guitarist, writing and performing the theme song for her show.

In discussing the Shen Yun Orchestra and their unique ability to blend Western and Chinese musical traditions, Ms. Elbaz said, “It was beautiful—the way they mix the Western and the Eastern.” “I was curious about the drums … It’s so interesting how everything comes from China. I'm familiar with the Japanese, when they do the Teiko drum, but it comes from China!”

Reflecting on China’s long, 5,000-year history, which Shen Yun draws on for its performances, she said, “They're saying its 5000 years, how are we going to catch up?” “The culture of the US, in comparison to China's, is quite small, as it is only only a few hundred years old,” she said. “We're like an infant compared to China. There's no way we can compare.”

In discussing the show's message, Ms. Elbaz explained, "The truth shall live on, the beauty shall live on, love shall live on—that's really what it is.”

With a background in Buddhism, the retired host already had some knowledge about ancient Chinese history before attending the show. “We have so much to learn. Everything is in there, the poetry and so forth,” Ms. Elbaz said. “When they talked about the moon, the earth, the rivers and the plum trees, and the ... such an awareness that it’s not just us lording over, we are part of it all, and that was in it, in everything,” she said.

Ms. Elbaz commented on the predestined relationship and reincarnation themes in the show, saying, "It was such an awareness of the vastness of the universe and that we have that responsibility.” “I'm so glad they have this message, you know, because we need more of it," she said. "We need these messages over and over and over again. So that it’s not them and us, we’re all together.”

As Ms. Elbaz saw it, the various performances brought out the fact that there is still inherent goodness in everyone. “We all have this highest nature. We have to be able see it in everybody," she said. "When we realize our own high nature, we see the nature in other people, and that's how we should relate.

“I just wish for China that, how can I say, that the truth would come out, that joy would come out, that they wouldn’t be suppressed.”

She concluded by saying, "I’ve got to tell my Chinese friends: ‘If you weren’t here you’d better get here!’"

Russian dance teacher: “You could see the soul of the [Chinese] nation”

Russian dance teacher Julia Kulakova attended the Shen Yun Performing Arts show at New York's Lincoln Center on Sunday January 9

Julia Kulakova, a Russian professional dancer and dance teacher, was full of praise for Shun Yun. “I am very excited, uplifted, it made my day completely with the color, with the symmetry," she enthused. "It is such a thorough experience.”

Ms. Kulakova said that dance should preserve culture and that Shen Yun did a wonderful job in expressing the essence of traditional Chinese culture. “It preserves culture, and in the movements you could see the soul of the nation. It is so graceful, so beautiful. It really delivers a deeper message,” she said. "I am sure if you look at the people coming out of the theater you see the people almost blooming with this [experience]," she went on to say. "I am so thrilled."

Ms. Kulakova was especially touched by the many colorful costumes and backdrops, saying, "[Shen Yun] uses silk and this is one of my favorite materials to dance with. It always flows and it creates a fantastic experience," she explained.

“The special effects were just fantastic," she said. "It is always such a great surprise—beautiful, beautiful. It is that fairy tale-ish feel. I love it!” "I enjoy Chinese classical dance so much and especially the Shen Yun Company ... for me it is the best holiday performance," she added.

The dances in Shen Yun portray the values and beliefs of ancient Chinese people, and gives viewers a glimpse into traditional Chinese approaches to life. Ms. Kulakova remarked about the distinct male and female energies in the dance movements, gestures, and expressions. “It really delivers a deeper message about the essence of Asian femininity, which is very unusual for Westerners, but there is a lot of curiosity, especially right now, to it," she said. “The male dancers are fantastically athletic ... in Chinese dance, men dance, and have always danced manly.”

She concluded, “My friends and my students should see the show. I will make sure that my students receive an email from me directing them to this show.”

Shen Yun teaches “perseverance, strong moral values”

David Graham (C) enjoys Shen Yun Performing Arts at David H. Koch Theater at the Lincoln Center on January 8

David Graham, an investment manager, thought that the Shen Yun carried a universal message and that it accurately portrays the struggle and endurance of the Chinese people under communist rule.

“I think perseverance, strong moral values, are the biggest message,” said Mr. Graham. “It’s something universal.” Mr. Graham also appreciated the elaborate costumes and backdrop.

Spirit of Shen Yun resonates with doctor

Dr. Jiri J. Vitek, a neuroradiologist was clearly moved by the show. “It was beautiful! I liked the whole performance,” he said. “I like the movements—they are so exquisite—the choreography, and, of course, I like the spirit—the spirit and the message.”

Born in a communist country, Dr. Vitek said that he could easily relate to the message of freedom, joy, and friendship in Shen Yun. He said that he was well aware of the current repression in communist China today. “The human spirit shouldn’t be curtailed by communist ideology,” Dr. Vitek said.

In giving his overall impression of the show, Dr. Vitek exclaimed, “It is just to me amazing. Really, I love it!”