It was our first time to Music Center in Downtown LA. This place is beautiful. Very nice courtyard with artsy statues and water fountains.
I hate their parking lot though. It has a very steep and narrow exit that goes around and around and around for like 7 levels. And with that many cars going out from this little exit, of course there would be traffic. I didn't mind the traffic going out so much. But had to stop and go, stop and go, on that steep hill going around wasn't fun at all.
We were really looking forward to the show before. Shen Yun was selling their program for $5, but we didn't think it was necessary to spend that money. It was a little confusing to find our seats. We had to take elevator to the 3rd floor for the higher balcony seats.
No photo allowed during the performance. The show was about 2 hours long with 15 minutes intermission. They did a number of dances with colorful costumes. The dances were entertaining, but it got really repetitive with the same movements. About half way through the show, I started getting bored watching the same dances just with different costumes. The were a host and hostess talking in both Chinese and English between every acts. Besides dancing, there was also some singing. They sang in Chinese about Falun Gong. The host/hostess talked about Falun Gong. The dancers danced about Falun Gong. The did a few numbers of how China government tried to put Falun Gong members in jail to beat them, or breaking up families, and how the gods came down to protect the Falun Gong members, and take the deads to heaven. They had big writing on the back screen on stage saying "Falun Gong is Good" (法輪大功好). So we had no idea that was what the show was all about. Honestly, the religions thing was a big big turn off for my mom and I. We were just there to watch Chinese culture arts, not there to learn about this religion.
We didn't like the show. Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against this religion. I do believe people should have the freedom to choose their religion, and what China did to those people were wrong. But I don't like how they falsely used "Chinese culture arts" to lure people to the performances to learn about their religion. I did enjoy the dancing parts, but the religion thing was too much for us. I will never go to their performance again.
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my coworker was thinking about going~~and we talked him out of it~~i thought it would be similar to shows that china has during chinese new year~~didn't know it would be about falung gong~~so glad we talked him out of it~~
ReplyDeleteGood good! If I knew what the show is really about, I wouldn't go either.
OMG! I kept seeing flyers for this show wherever I went. And then when I went http://www.eileenlikestoeat.com to visit my parents in San Jose, I saw more ads for it. And I was so surprised to see that it was there also. So I commented to my mom, "What is this show?? it's everywhere!!" And my mom said that it was probably a Falun Gong thing. Now you've confirmed it! She has a friend who tricked her to going into a similar performance. Her friend is a member, and made it seem like she was giving these tickets to a fancy show as a gift and it turned into a Falun Gong thing.
ReplyDeleteThey used "Chinese culture arts" to lure people to those show to send a message:
"Falun Gong is good, China is bad."
They said something about the performance is about true and real Chinese cultures arts
but unfortunately this great culture arts show cannot be seen in China today.
They are going to Korea next. They also said something about how their show is cancelled in Hong Kong.
Unfortunately, "thousands and thousands" of people who wants to see their show in HK will be not able to do so.
Really? Thousands and thousands? I don't know. This whole show was not enjoyable for us...
I even saw the flyers in Milwaukee and thought it is a dance show. Thanks for your explanations. Now I knew what it is. And, totally I agree your opinion. It is inappropriate to lure people using such a way! It is kind of like brain watching show.
ReplyDeleteWow even Milwaukee? They are really everywhere.
If they want to have a show about Falun Gong, fine, but they should just tell people up front about it.
i think you are right!so many political words in their performance.
ReplyDeletereligion shouldn't try to participant in political circles
Totally agree!
Yes, it's a little bit like going to the Mormon Tabernacle. But at least that one you can tell from the name that it is religious (almost a cult).
ReplyDeleteI used to be sympathetic to Falung Gong adherents and thought they were just being persecuted by the Commies, but after learning more about it, it's nothing but a cult. It's a little like Mormonism, they believe in space aliens, etc.
Creepy!
My mom said one of her relative was a follower of Falun Gong.
He had cancer and thought by practicing Falun Gong's "exercise", it'll cure his cancer.
Because of Falun Gong, he refused to go to the doctor to get treated the proper way.
He just did Falun Gong "exercise" everyday, and soon died.
So yes, it sounds more like a cult than religion.
It's a shame you think Falun Gong is a cult - it's really not. I've practiced for over six years and never been forced to do anything I didn't want, never been told not to take medicine etc. I'm sure you know that in China people really are being tortured to death by the Communist Party, so whatever you think of Falun Gong, persecution of its followers is wrong.
ReplyDeleteWhen the persecution started many stories about people losing their lives because of practicing suddenly appeared. But Falun Gong was practiced openly by over 70 million people from 1992 to 1999, and there were no stories like this around. Why did these stories suddenly appear?
Regarding Shen Yun, you can see the many positive reactions to the show here: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/features/shen-yun/
It's a shame you didn't like it, I guess it's not to everyone's taste.
I believe what China did to Falun Gong members is totally wrong.
But I don't think they should use Chinese culture arts as a bait to lure people into the show.
We thought we were going to watch a dance/music/opera show, but it turned out to be all about Falun Gong.
It was very disappointing.
I watched the show and I enjoyed the entertainment part of it it but also have deep sorrow regarding its underlying message. I like to share a few comments:
ReplyDelete1. I think this shows included culture, dance, music and the story of the political struggle of a social group being cruelly oppressed by its own, non-people elected government. Under such a regime, there is no way to express its suffering, except to tell the story to the free world (such as lucky people like us in the US). We should show our sympathy, just like we should to the Jews and the Polish who suffered the Nazi oppression. The only difference is that this is an internal suppression rather than an international aggression
2. If some of us really are offended by the some of the too direct message about Falun teachings, one can tune it out as I did a few time when the 'advertising' got too strong, but I believe that their religion is to preach people to be better human beings. Like any religion, we have the right to believe or not believe. However, I think people should see the show and judge for themselves and not be swayed by the discussion here. I thought it was well worth the money and it triggered me to say a few words of praise and show support here. I think this (awareness) is the least we can do as human being when fellow human beings are oppressed to such extreme degree for choosing what they believe.
3. I still did enjoy the scene, the music and the dance. The orchestra is wonderful and the blending of Eastern and Western instrument make a true show of multi-culture effect. Good job overall, but they should try to do something to eliminate the perception of 'being lured' to see the show, as truthfulness is one of their teaching.
I couldn't agree more about your last point.
They should be truthful about it, then I would have no problem with the show.
many great things are controversial at its beginning stage, since new things will always touch our notion. i saw the show myself, it is a fabulous masterpiece of performing arts. the expressive dance, moving music and large scale backdrop really enlighten me. as to the Falun Gong issue, it is acceptable to me, since many art forms are related to belief, history, freedom, religion, politics... without those things, it does not have content. new things are always good to take a look, let alone this
ReplyDeletemasterpiece work that leaves me very deep memory .
Glad that you enjoyed the show. We didn't though.
My daughter is a second generation Chinese American. For the longest time she did not want to learn or speak Chinese. But, thanks to this beautiful show. She is now very proud to have Chinese blood and loves the language and interested in the culture. The best part I like is each performance has a story. So you get to know Chinese history at the same time. They also show the uniqueness of different ethnic in China. It's just wonderful. My daughter said,"This is the best source of Chinese culture".
ReplyDeleteChinese history? All the stories are about Falun Gong.
Falun Gong members escape persecution by leaving China and then rob me here in Montreal of money paid for four seats to watch their propaganda show under the guise of a "cultural" show.
ReplyDeleteI wonder, if the tables were turned and Falun Gong members were duped into watching a communist propaganda show under the guise of "cultural" show, what their reaction would be? Well, we can all imagine what their reaction would be based on their reaction to their other perceived ills. Yes, shout to the whole world about persecution and expect sympathy, but you have no qualms about using trickery and deceit while doing so. Double standard at its blatantest. I want my money back you bunch of lying psuedo-enlightenment cultivators .
100% agree!
Everyone that didn't saw the Shen-Yun yet... Just don't really know what he is talking about... or he is Influenced by other wrong opinions. Shen-Yun is one of the most beautifull shows. The Audience Comments for the show Speak for themselves:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/videos/index/play/aFwoLynXkKg
Yeah, I was fooled by those good comments.