Ballet Portrays History

Lauren BonneyTHE SANTA CLARAJanuary 9, 2014It’s the beginning of another new year and what better way to celebrate the start of winter quarter than with a trip to San Francisco for some fun.While there is so much to do in the city, be sure to stop by the War Memorial Opera House and experience the Shen Yun Ballet. This ballet is unlike anything else. Celebrating 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, Shen Yun presents Chinese culture through classical dance, live orchestral accompaniment, bright costumes and colorful animated backdrops.The show is sure to amaze and uses the universal language of music and dance to explore rich Chinese history. For thousands of years it was believed that different forms and ideas of art and science were passed down from the heavens to the people of China.Through colorful storytelling, Shen Yun explores these “heavenly” traditions and captivates audiences with depictions of ancient legends and heroic tales using song and dance.The performers of Shen Yun are classically trained and are the world’s leading dancers, epitomizing outstanding technique, beauty and energy that leave audiences amazed.The music during the performance is a unique orchestra that combines sounds from the East and West to create an audibly outstanding symphony.Shen Yun is based off classical Chinese dance which has its roots in traditional aesthetics that were once passed down through imperial courts and ancient plays.These dances have their own set of strict training methods that emphasize specific physical expression and postures. While dancers float gracefully across the stage, the individual agility required of each dancer is astounding.Performers learn such a combination of leaps, turns, flips, spins and other aerial acrobatics that the dancers seem to almost fly across the stage. Dancers not only convey rich cultural traditions, but also perform more modern pieces, linking the East to the West.Shen Yun is in the Bay Area for a very limited time, so make sure to dress up and head to the city to experience 5,000 years of China. Contact Lauren Bonney at lbonney@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.