(Clearwisdom.net) Bushnell, Connecticut's popular performing arts center was the venue chosen by Shen Yun Performing Arts to present their show to Hartford and the people in the area interested in learning about China's 5,000-year-old history. Shen Yun's mission is to breathe new life into traditional Chinese culture while providing audiences everywhere with an experience of sublime beauty.

Among the audience was Svetlana, a choreographer and dancer. She said, "I believe this show is very professional and it has a lot of high class not only performing styles but also the history, the content, is absolutely incredible."

"It is spiritual as well. The performance is high grade, very high grade. I wish I could see more performances like this in the future--great job."

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Svetlana had only good things to say about the performance.

She continued, "The professionalism of the dancers themselves is fantastic. The choreography, I think, is fascinating, and the way they present things is really beautiful. Such a great variety of things, it is unbelievable."

Her background gave Svetlana an edge to see more details. She said, "I'm a ballet dancer, and I also practice Indian dance. My father was a Kung Fu master so I was introduced quite a bit to the whole culture, plus I grew up in Russia and the Soviet Union. I am so thrilled to be here to see so many different things done with such beautiful artistry and at such a high level.

"The second act showed me the whole variety of incredible sides of Chinese culture. I have to express my personal excitement. This particular performance shows to American audiences elements that they have never seen anywhere else. It is a very rare combination of not only music, but philosophical depth, the ideas that are presented in a dance.

"The costumes! The costumes are so authentic. I'm so amazed by this, because since I have traveled a little bit, and I do know what is authentic, and all of a sudden I sit here in America in this show [and get] such a combination and collection of authenticity! And what is striking as well to me is the depth, the philosophical depth. You can have it, accept it as much as your soul is able to accept it, and this is wonderful."

Svetlana concluded, "I would say that I would strive to create my own shows as flamboyant and expressive as this one. It is a great lesson for any creator or anyone in show business. To combine the traditional moves from martial arts, folklore, folk dancing, and classical moves--this is an excellent show, simply excellent. Thank you very much."

Professor: "It is a hopeful show"

Dr. Sloane, a university professor well-versed in American folk culture, with his wife and their daughter Elizabeth, attended the performance. Dr. Sloan said, "Oh, it is lovely--we are enjoying it. The part about the lotus flower ["The Udumbara's Bloom"], the third dance with the wonderful pink colors and the movement and swirling like a flower ["Welcoming Spring"]. My daughter, Elizabeth, loved the story about the father who was separated from his family and went up to heaven ["Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution"]."

The family thought that the flower scene would remain in their minds, "I think it was just the beauty of the colors and the movements. The dancers were lovely, so perfectly coordinated, and they seemed like a flower. I think this is a wonderful way to be introduced to Chinese culture. I am enjoying every second of it. It does feel like springtime, it's the perfect show, it's the perfect season.

"It is a hopeful show. Yes, I think it is a show that is calming and that makes people confident and happy within themselves. There seems to be a lot directed to inner strength and beauty. I am just loving it. I think it is a beautiful show. I am so glad we came."

"It will help the heart and the mind to be better"

Mr. Pedeirara, president of an investment firm, said, "Beautiful--it is just spectacular. It should be seen by many people. Actually, all the parts have impressed me. I think the last one with the drums ["Dragon Springs Drummers"] was very nice."

"The sound of the [erhu]... I didn't know that instrument could make such beautiful music," he said.

Mr. Pedeirara added, "It will help the heart and the mind to be better, be in a better situation and better shape, and perhaps feel better about the whole situation and about the whole recession and maybe change some moods in an improvement of the whole economic situation. It's uplifting, so it makes you feel good."

Source: http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/14150/
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