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Epoch Times: California Officials Welcome Shen Yun

February 06, 2010 |  

(Clearwisdom.net) Only a month and a half into its 2010 world tour, and New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has stopped in 23 cities in North America. Shen Yun will perform in Los Angeles at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center Friday February 5 through Sunday February 14.

Federal, state, and local officials have welcomed Shen Yun and expressed their wishes for the show's continued success.

U.S. Senator Diana Feinstein

United States Senator Diana Feinstein extended her greetings to the music and dance company, writing, "This wonderful performance is sure to educate, thrill, and inspirit the people of Los Angeles as it has for the people around the world since its inception."

In its inaugural 2007 season, Shen Yun performed for more than 200,000 audience members, according to its website. The show has grown steadily since then. Last year, three companies toured the world and performed in front of 800,000 people.

Shen Yun has dazzled audience members and garnered critical acclaim among professionals in the arts community, including dancers, singers, conductors, actors, and artists.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters wrote, "I am excited that residents of the Greater Los Angeles area will have the privilege of experiencing this critically acclaimed show. Best wishes for continued success."

Congressman Xavier Becerra wrote, "I commend Shen Yun for their contribution to cultural pluralism in Los Angeles."

Shen Yun's stated mission is to breathe new life into traditional Chinese culture by offering its audiences an experience of sublime beauty. In addition to breath-taking aesthetics, the dances and songs convey universal themes such as compassion, bravery, dignity, and faith.

California State Assemblymen Tony Mendoza, Kevin de Leon, and Ted W. Liu wrote a resolution commending Shen Yun.

They wrote, "Shen Yun serves as a noble emissary of the rich Chinese cultural heritage, and through the universal language of music, provides a means for acceptance of our diversity by highlighting our likeness and fortifying a unity among all people."

The assemblymen wrote that they thanked Shen Yun Performing Arts, "...for its contributions to further the existing cultural, social, and human relations between all people through the sharing of Chinese dance and music, and extend best wishes for its continued success in the future."

State Senator Curren Price, Jr. wrote, "With nearly 100 world-class artists reaching over 20,000 audience members, Shen Yun is sure to delight and marvel the audience with an exceptional display of traditional Chinese culture."

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa also warmly welcomed Shen Yun, writing, "As the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles is pleased to congratulate Shen Yun Performing Arts on continually performing traditional Chinese dance, music and opera that inspires and educates audiences about authentic Chinese Culture.

"The 4th annual world tour is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of ideas, perspectives and achievements provided by the Chinese arts. Together we can make a positive impact and recognize the accomplishments of these artists in commemorating their contributions."

A total of thirty government officials issued congratulatory messages and well wishes to Shen Yun Performing Arts upon its arrival in Los Angeles.

Shen Yun has three dance companies and three orchestras. During its ten shows in Los Angeles, Shen Yun companies will also be performing in Worcester, Mass., Dallas, Springfield, St. Louis, and New York.

February 5, 2010

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/29162/