Jan 6, 2010

BOSTON--Shen Yun Performing Arts, the world's premier classical Chinese dance and music company, will be performing in Boston at the historic Opera House this Friday through Sunday, Jan. 8-10. It is the fifth annual performance in Boston by the New York-based company. Shen Yun was formerly known as Divine Performing Arts and is now going by its Chinese name.

Mayor Thomas Menino, recently re-elected for a fifth term as mayor of the city, warmly welcomed Shen Yun in a letter of greeting, saying that he was "honored to have such a world-class performance right in the city of Boston." He wrote, "I commend the work of the Shen Yun Performing Arts and I applaud those of you who support the efforts of Shen Yun in promoting the Chinese community in Boston."

An Official Proclamation from the City of Waltham, Mass., was issued by Mayor Jeannette McCarthy in recognition of the presenting organization, Falun Dafa Association of New England, for "being an invaluable facilitator of Chinese culture and positive values to the various communities of Massachusetts ... ."

U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch issued a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition to the Association for "bringing the richness of traditional Chinese culture to Boston by presenting Shen Yun Performing Arts," and U.S. Rep. James McGovern sent a letter of welcome in which he wrote, "The revival of traditional and ancient heroic legends and rituals through dance, songs and stories is a wonderful means of exposing the rich and expressive Chinese culture to the American community."

Shen Yun Performing Arts consists of three touring companies, each with its own orchestra combining classical Western orchestral instruments and Chinese instruments to produce a unique sound. Each year, Shen Yun debuts new and original choreography, songs, and orchestral arrangements.

The nonprofit Shen Yun "seeks to breathe new life into traditional Chinese culture while providing audiences everywhere with an experience of sublime beauty," according to the Shen Yun Web site.

"Thanks to Shen Yun Performing Arts, countless individuals around the world have experienced the joy of classical Chinese dance and music," wrote Sen. Paul G. Kirk Jr. in a letter of welcome and appreciation. Sen. Kirk is currently filling the U.S. senate seat of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

He continued, "That shared experience is a wonderful teacher. Through it, we discover what unites us as a people and in doing so, we come to better understand and appreciate the value of community. Through Shen Yun's dedication and commitment, the five-millenia-old artistic tradition of China has come alive for those who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to enjoy it. What a beautiful gift Shen Yun has given to so many people of all ages--a gift that will resonate long after the 2010 performances have ended!"

U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry also had sent a letter of welcome, in which he summed up by writing: "With Shen Yun's performances in both Boston and Worcester, I am reminded of a Hopi Indian saying, 'To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak.'"

Shen Yun will be performing in Worcester, Mass., on Feb. 6 and 7, at the Hanover Theatre. This performance will be the company's first visit to Worcester.

In his letter, Sen. Kerry thanked the Falun Dafa Association of New England "for their efforts in granting audiences the opportunity to hear the voice of Chinese culture here in Massachusetts," and wrote that he had "every confidence that the Chinese American community will continue to be a prominent asset to the Commonwealth."

Shen Yun's 2010 world tour kicked off in Augusta, Ga., on Dec. 19 and the company has since given performances in Houston, San Diego, San Francisco, Detroit, and Philadelphia. This year's tour with over 400 performances will span dozens of countries on four continents.

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