Mmm, I just remembered this tonight. Near the end of August, they're going to have a special performance at the Kennedy Center that I've taken an interest in.
I actually found out about this a couple weeks ago when I was supposed to attend a lunch meeting at the Pentagon City mall for a project I'm kinda/sorta working on (nota bene: it's not as impressive as it may sound). As I was standing around waiting to see if the people I was supposed to meet would show up (I was actually late myself), I noticed that they were advertising something at a kiosk near a Starbucks stand.
Turns out that it was for something called the Shen Yun Performing Arts: World Tour 2009, w/ performances to be held Aug.26-30 at the Kennedy Center in D.C. I, being the struggling – dare I say fumbling – student of Chinese that I am, was interested in what they had to show. It's kinda funny, b/c thinking back on it, while one of the people working the kiosk was talking to me about what the Shen Yun Performing Arts was all about, I was just standing there, quietly watching the performance on the TV display. Occasionally I'd let out a non-committal "uh-huh" or "oh."
It wasn't that I was uninterested, as much as I was just distracted by everything going on around me (and wondering if the people who I was waiting for would show up). Thinking back on it, I probably came off sounding rude (unintentionally), though I didn't say anything about my having taken some Chinese courses in school, as I didn't want to come off sounding like a stuck-up ass. Still, the moment she said that you could buy tickets through them (Shen Yun) directly, w/o having to pay additional fees as opposed to buying them through the Kennedy Center, just raised a flag in my head: "Prepare for incoming sales pitch!"
In the end I didn't buy a ticket, though I did make sure to pick up a pamphlet for it. And so that brings me to the big question: should I buy a ticket or not? They range in price from $40-150, and while I'd like to have a boxseat, I don't want to shell out the cash for it (and quite frankly, it'd be absolutely rediculous for one person – who isn't BMW-driving rich – to have a whole boxseat to themselves). So I'd probably aim for something in the $80-90 range. Actually, I still haven't decided if I want to go or not. There's the immediate question of transportation (how would I get there and back), and also the fact that it'd be kinda lame to go to something like this by myself (my life may be sad and mundane, but hopefully not that sad).
Hah, I'm getting all caught up w/ questions but still haven't even explained what the Shen Yun Performing Arts is, huh? Well, according to the Kennedy Center's description:
"This is traditional Chinese culture as it was meant to be–a brilliant blend of beauty, energy, and grace. Dozens of dancers in dazzling costumes move in seamless, flowing patterns. Thunderous drums shake the stage while spectacular backdrops take you to another world. See ancient legends of virtue brought to life alongside modern tales of courage. Hear soaring songs by masterful vocalists that move and inspire. Experience a sense of beauty and enchantment like no other with this unique, thrilling, and unforgettable show."
If the pictures on the pamphlet are anything to go by, then their performances can be summarized by lots of vibrant colors and brilliantdance pieces. Though maybe "dance" is a bit too limited in its scope for something of this quality? However, one thing that really gets me is this little political stab they included:
"Shen Yun Performing Arts has performed to acclaim in 70 cities worldwide. Based in New York, it is independent of China's regime and is proud to include artists who practice Falun Gong meditation. "
Makes me wonder if that was done at the behest of the performers themselves, or if it was done to try and appeal to our Red Star-hating democratic senses?
Well, we'll see. In all likelihood, this will be the most worthwhile and significant thing that I do this summer, so it's something that I must consider carefully (err, not too carefully). I'll have my decision once August 1st rolls around.
(Wordpress.com, July 19, 2009)
Original text from: http://hub00.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/for-the-sake-of-culture/
