Jan 25, 2010

Florida governor Charlie Crist wrote, 'Shen Yun endeavors to renew a largely lost cultural tradition that honors human dignity and virtue' (http://www.flgov.com)

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts is returning to Florida Jan. 26 to 31 with performances in Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, and Jacksonville. In recognition, federal, state, and local officials sent letters to welcome Shen Yun to Florida for its third consecutive year.

Gov. Charlie Crist wished the performing arts company a successful world tour. "Celebrating the excellence and grandeur of classical Chinese dance and music, Shen Yun endeavors to renew a largely lost cultural tradition that honors human dignity and virtue," he wrote.

U.S. Sen. George S. LeMieux commended Shen Yun Performing Arts, a nonprofit, for contributing so much to Florida's performing arts community. (http://lemieux.senate.gov)

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said Shen Yun 'allows us to better understand and appreciate our diversity.' (http://billnelson.senate.gov/)

"The annual Shen Yun Performing Arts Show is one of the largest celebrations of its kind, and Florida is proud to host such an extraordinary celebration to ring in the Chinese New Year," wrote U.S. Sen. George S. LeMieux. The senator commended Shen Yun Performing Arts, a nonprofit, for contributing so much to Florida's performing arts community.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson welcomed Shen Yun's "presentation of traditional Chinese dance and music." "This tribute celebrates China's customs and allows us to better understand and appreciate our diversity," he wrote in a greeting.

Shen Yun has three touring companies, which will reach live audiences with an estimated 300 performances in more than 100 cities on five continents on the 2010 world tour. Each touring company features its own orchestra that produces a unique blend of classical Western and Chinese instruments.

Each year, Shen Yun, formerly known as Divine Performing Arts, presents an all-new program of original dances, songs, costumes, and orchestral arrangements.

Officials in South Florida sent greetings to welcome Shen Yun to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. John Seiler, mayor of Fort Lauderdale, wrote, "We are excited to have Shen Yun Performing Arts here in Fort Lauderdale for a third consecutive year and we can't wait for them to showcase traditional Chinese customs through music and dance."

Judy Paul, mayor of the town of Davie, also in Broward County, issued a proclamation honoring Shen Yun's mission of rediscovering and presenting "the essence of true, traditional Chinese culture" and bringing to the world art that "celebrates human dignity and positives." Marilyn Gerber, mayor of Coconut Creek, in Broward County, also sent congratulations.

'Extraordinary Beauty, Valor and Splendor'

From Florida's West Coast, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (9th District) wrote that it was a privilege to host Shen Yun Performing Arts and congratulated "all who took part in bringing this spectacular show to the St. Petersburg area."

State Rep. Bill Heller thanked the New Times Culture and Education Center and the Falun Dafa Practitioners Association of Florida for bringing Shen Yun back to the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg. "Shen Yun Performing Arts ... is the world's premier Chinese dance and music company. ... For the viewing audience, their talents will immerse you in a world of extraordinary beauty, valor and splendor," he wrote.

St. Petersburg City Council member Jeff Danner welcomed Shen Yun's "world-class show, combining exceptional artistic talent and classical Chinese dance with dazzling, multi-colored costumes, and the outstanding music of the Shen Yun Orchestra. ..."

Also welcoming Shen Yun to St. Petersburg were Pam Iorio, mayor of Tampa; Tom Barnhorn, Seminole city councilor, who has attended the performances for two consecutive years; and Kevin White, commissioner of Hillsborough County. Mr. White expressed his appreciation for the "enchanting glimpse into Chinese cultural heritage" and the dedication to "preserving history and tradition."

From the Northeast, known as Florida's First Coast, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown (3rd District) commended everyone involved in bringing the show to Jacksonville and "sharing the original Chinese culture with us." "Through Shen Yun Performing Arts' original music and dance, we can appreciate the history and traditions of such a rich culture," she wrote.

"I look forward to watching the rich heritage of the Chinese people come alive on stage," wrote U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw (4th District). The congressman congratulated Shen Yun Performing Arts for "bringing the excellence and grandeur of classical Chinese dance and music to audiences everywhere."

John Peyton, mayor of Jacksonville, wrote that Shen Yun Performing Arts serves as the "caretaker" of China's ancient culture. "Having performed before 800,000 people in more than 100 cities last year alone, this company has received some of the grandest reviews," he wrote.

The Florida shows are scheduled for Ft. Lauderdale, Jan. 26 and 27, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts; St. Petersburg, with two performances on Jan. 29 at the Mahaffey Theater; and Jacksonville, Jan. 30 and 31, at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts.

After the six shows in Florida, Shen Yun will perform in 10 cities in February, including Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, and Daegu and ChangWon in South Korea.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/28588/