(Clearwisdom.net)

U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Derrick Holsey and his wife. (Mary Silver/The Epoch Times)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts returned to the Times-Union Center for Performing Arts for the first of two performances. This is the second year that Shen Yun has included Jacksonville, Florida's most populous city, on its world tour to more than 100 cities.

U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Derrick Holsey and his wife, certified public accountant Sara Holsey, responded to the show with deep feeling.

Sergeant Holsey said the performance was "beautiful, beautiful--the dancing, the background, the storytelling! I closed my eyes a couple of times and imagined myself being there. What do you think, sweetheart?" he asked his wife.

She smiled and said, "Beautiful! How well-coordinated they are. Everything was gorgeous! It's perfection!"

"Nothing Can Block the Divine Path" made a strong impression on the Marine. He said, "I would say the portion with the family that was taken away--that was very, very unique. The storytelling was perfect and on-point."

He paused, and his deep voice conveyed emotion. He said he had been deployed, traveled around the world, and seen a great deal. He said, "To see how they put the story together--the ending was very, very nice. I appreciate that."

Commenting on Hong Kong's recent denial of visas to key production staff of Shen Yun Performing Arts, he said, "It's unfortunate, but hopefully things will clear up."

He said he was learning a lot and could not wait to see the rest of the show. "A show like this, it speaks volumes."

'Some of the grandest reviews'

Congratulatory letters from federal, state, and local officials, including Governor Charlie Crist and US Senators Bill Nelson and George S. LeMieux, welcomed Shen Yun to Florida for its third consecutive year. Each year, Shen Yun, formerly known as Divine Performing Arts, presents an all-new program.

John Peyton, the 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.

US Representative Corrine Brown (3rd District) commended everyone involved for bringing the show to Jacksonville and sharing the original Chinese culture. "Through Shen Yun Performing Arts' original music and dance, we can appreciate the history and traditions of such a rich culture," she wrote.

"Chinese traditional culture will captivate you through the dances, costumes, and music that will convey the emotions and stories of a 5,000-year-old culture," wrote US Representative Ander Crenshaw (4th District). The congressman congratulated Shen Yun for "bringing the excellence and grandeur of classical Chinese dance and music to audiences everywhere."

Source http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/28855/