(Clearwisdom.net) Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company lit up the stage and the hearts of audience members at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, March 8-10, 2011.

Atlanta business partners: Shen Yun “Very special'

Aida Flamm (L) and Allan Flamm (R) at Shen Yun Performing Arts in Atlanta.

Attending the show was Mr. Allan Flamm and his wife, Ms. Aida Flamm, co-owners of Aida & Co, a company that develops exclusive product lines for five star hotels. “This is just wonderful!” said Ms. Flamm, describing her experience of Shen Yun. “The costumes are magnificent. The colors are beautiful!” Ms. Flamm fell in love with Shen Yun’s animated backdrops, saying, “I think it’s brilliant the way the people fly into the stage. It’s very high-tech, very well done.”

The couple appreciated the opportunity to see classical Chinese culture presented through Shen Yun’s performances, because they spent many years in China. “We love the old stories. We love Chinese culture. We think it’s wonderful!”

Mr. Flamm said watching the performances expanded his knowledge of China, “What Americans don’t realize is that we tend to classify all Chinese as Chinese. There are so many different cultures in China.”

He added, “I’m testing my Chinese language skills, trying to listen to the lady who is doing the announcing.” Mr. Flamm said in Chinese, “I understand just a bit.”

Ms. Flamm said her heart was moved by “Our Story,” which is based on a true story of a young teacher in China who was killed for her spiritual belief. Commenting on the persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners, Mr. Flamm said, "The powers that be don’t believe in any religion."

In conclusion Mrs. Flamm said, “We love the costumes, we love the music. It’s really very special.”

AACC counsel: “The spirit they showed seemed to radiate”

Phyllis and Wayne Lazarus both said they wanted to learn more after seeing Shen Yun at the Cobb Energy Centre.

Also attending the show was Wayne Lazarus, a business attorney and legal counsel for the Asian-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC). He was accompanied by his wife, Phyllis Lazarus, a media relations officer for The William Breman Jewish Heritage and Holocaust Museum in Atlanta.

“I learned a lot about the Chinese culture and a lot about Falun Gong. I’m very interested in learning more about their struggles in China," said Mrs. Lazarus.

Mr. Lazarus added, “I learned more about the struggle for human rights in China. I knew about Falun Gong but now I want to learn more.” He said he plans to research the practice within the week.

Mr. Lazarus has a deep admiration and respect for Chinese people. “I have a very high regard for the Chinese people. They are a hard working, honorable people.” Because of his client, the AACC, he has had the chance to know many Chinese people.

Mr. Lazarus said he thought that the performers felt the human rights issues of China in their hearts, and it made them even better performers. “The spirit they showed seemed to radiate in their performance,” he said.

Mrs. Lazarus felt the performance dealt with the issue of what a person should do when they see human rights being violated. “There is always hope for a better way of life,” she said.

Her husband said that he also felt a sense of hope and optimism in Shen Yun. “Even though you are suppressed, you come back again ... Rebirth.”

Mrs. Lazarus concluded by talking about the beauty of Shen Yun. “Oh my goodness, the costumes, the color. I loved the dancing. Visually it’s just stunning!”

Nationally prominent lawyer: “These people are good!”

Dale Schwartz, a nationally prominent immigration lawyer, said he really loved the Shen Yun show.

"Oh, it’s wonderful, fabulous dance ... I love it. Everybody that I know that has seen the show from different cities has told me how much they love it. I’m really glad to be here tonight."

Noting the colorful costumes, he said: "Oh, they are beautiful. The colors are fabulous. Chinese dance has always been a fabulous thing ... this production is very, very good. These people are good. They are very sophisticated.”

He has traveled to Xian in China and seen the Terracotta Army, which is featured in the dance “Recalling the Great Qin.” “I loved that. It looked just like the real ones in Xian,” he said.

He said his wife was supposed to be with him but had to stay in California with one of their daughters. “She couldn’t come tonight, but I’m going to tell her she missed a really great show.”

Mr. Schwartz said that he has many Chinese clients who practice Falun Gong, which is currently being oppressed in China and featured in some of the Shen Yun dances. “We have gotten political asylum for many of these people in the United States. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to help a family like that. They are really nice people.”

He recalled the old saying, “Any time a person saves one life, it is as if he saved the world." "We help, we try to help people from all over the world like that, but right now especially from China. It’s serious things going on there now,” he said. He explained that he was grateful to have the opportunity to help anyone. “I can’t change all of China over night, but I can maybe help a few families get freedom. That’s what makes what I do so rewarding, I enjoy it a lot.”

All in all he said that the Shen Yun presentation was "just all wonderful.”

Visiting Chinese: “China now has hope”

Mr. Yang Qing flew in from China to visit his family in Atlanta. He said that he heard about Shen Yun Performing Arts “numerous times” in China and finally got to see the production first hand. “It was very wonderful,” Yang said after the show. “This is the only show where you can genuinely see traditional Chinese culture.”

He said he was very excited to see the show because it is presently banned in China. “I now understand why the Chinese Communist Party is so afraid of it, because this is the authentic traditional Chinese culture. The energy is wonderful. The spirit within the show is able to revive morale in the Chinese people.”

He said that, since the Chinese Communist Party demolished their traditional culture, Chinese people have entered a gradual downfall. “[The Party] has lured Chinese people to immerse themselves in materialism, leading them to lose the integrity that the ancient Chinese had. Shen Yun is revitalizing the traditional culture. China now has hope, and Chinese people now have hope.”

Spectator from Hong Kong: Shen Yun represents true, traditional Chinese culture

“This is the best dancing I have ever seen,” said Ms. Yan from Hong Kong, who came to the show with her friends.

Ms. Yan came to the U.S. ten years ago. She visits Hong Kong every year. “The show was amazing! It truly represents traditional Chinese culture, the best I have ever seen. I like it very much and am very touched. It makes me proud of being a Chinese and proud of my own traditional culture. Shen Yun unfolds Chinese culture that is truly mine.

“I have seen ballet, modern dance, and shows from China. Tonight I saw the real Chinese classical dances, the dances that are really based on traditional Chinese culture. The artists demonstrated before me the skills and the charm of ancient classical dance. I am very excited. The animation on the backdrop blends in with the dances and the stories flawlessly. Brilliant!”

Ms. Yan and her friends from Hong Kong

Last year, the Hong Kong Immigration Department denied the visa applications of six Shen Yun staff members because of pressure from the Chinese regime. The last minute-decision forced Shen Yun to cancel all of its shows in Hong Kong. After learning that the Hong Kong High Court had revoked the decision on March 9, Ms. Yan was happy. “This is exciting news. Congratulations to Shen Yun. A marvelous show such as this should not be banned. People in Hong Kong have the right to see it. The Hong Kong administration always claims that it runs on 'one country two system,' and it is a shame something like that happened.

“The Chinese regime always tries to cover up the truth (about the persecution of Falun Gong). Everyone has the right to know the truth and should spread the truth. It is really important that Shen Yun uses such an elegant, exquisite, clear, and powerful way to tell us the truth. The knowledge and spirit of traditional Chinese culture Shen Yun conveys to us is very powerful. It shows bring real hope for China and its people.”

Audience member from China: Winning the case is like dropping an atomic bomb

Mr. Cui (an alias) came to the U.S. to visit family last year. After seeing the show, he was very proud, saying, “Outstanding! Every program was excellent. I don't know how to express my excitement. I haven't seen a show that is as good. The stage was beautifully presented. Every detail matched perfectly. One does not see shows as fine as this in China. Seeing that the Chinese tradition was restored, I was so moved that I cried.”

After learning that Shen Yun's trip to Hong Kong last year was interfered with by the Chinese regime, he was glad that Shen Yun won the lawsuit in Hong Kong a few days ago. “It's big news and will explode like an atomic bomb. I believe Shen Yun will soon perform in Hong Kong. People in China will then rush to Hong Kong to see its shows. I will keep an eye on this issue. When Shen Yun comes, I will have to purchase the tickets quickly so I won't miss it.”

Mr. Cui thanked Shen Yun for bringing hope to the Chinese people. “We will wait for Shen Yun's presence in China. I believe that day will come soon.”