October 14, 2021

Shen Yun Performing Arts returned to Portland, Oregon, on Thursday night, after ticket-holders had to reschedule due to last year’s pandemic.

Hadi Nouredine, a dentist and founder of multiple clinics, said he liked everything about the performance. He and his wife were attracted to the show by the thousands of years of cultural heritage displayed in it.

“I know how important China has always been to the world. I’ve always known that China is full of a lot of culture, and heritage, and history. And then, that’s one of the reasons I wanted to see the show,” he said.

According to Shen Yun’s official website, its costumes bring back the styles of China’s different dynasties, regions, and ethnic groups.

“My gosh, the dances, the costumes, everything about the culture, all the scenes, the stories behind every dance—it was all beautiful. Very impressive,” said Rania Nordean, Nouredine’s wife.

Shen Yun artists draw inspiration from Falun Dafa, a meditation discipline that follows the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. The show cannot be seen in China, due to the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of the spiritual tradition.

One of Shen Yun’s goals is to bring back a lost heritage.

Members of the Portland audience said they loved the entire production, and some said it’s more than just dancing.

“One of the reasons we come is because we love the whole thing. Everything about it is wonderful. And the costuming is fantastic,” said Dale Z. Kirby, former director of the Salem Oregon Institute.

Kirby and his wife have seen the show three times already.

“It’s not the same each time, and I think the costuming is just tremendous,” said Anne M. Kirby. “The dancing is amazing, and so I can’t get enough of it. I want to see it again.”

Anne Kirby is a retired music teacher. She said she taught piano and pipe organ for 38 years. She enjoyed hearing the classic two-string erhu.

“It was a treat to hear that young woman play an instrument that I've never heard or seen before, and so I've learned a lot every time I come,” said Kirby.

The erhu can convey a wide range of emotions, and can imitate sounds from chirping birds to neighing horses.

Kirby said she’s been telling people about the show, and that it would broaden people’s horizons.

“I would tell them that it’s a very unique experience that you probably wouldn’t get from any other dance troupe, for example. I don’t know if you’d call them a dance troupe—it’s more than that. But I don’t know of anything else that’s like this.”

Shen Yun currently has seven touring groups, consisting of about 80 artists each.

NTD News, Portland, Oregon