Enjoying Shen Yun

Shen Yun is a classical Chinese dance and music company, based in New York.  I first found out about them a couple years ago with mailings, advertisements, and billboards, wishing to see this performing company.  Now Shen Yun has grown so much that they have six large companies performing around the World.  Each year they have a new performance.

With my Mom's birthday around the corner she wanted to splurge, so we went with my brother Michael, sister-in-law Krista, and two older nieces.

What can I say but "Wow."  Seriously amazing.  Shen Yun is very protective of copyright, and I don't know if I should really talk about my favorite dances, but the beauty and artistry was a delight to watch.  My nieces were spellbound.  It was fun watching them get excited.  But the performance itself is just as brave as it is beautiful.  Chinese classical dance is 1000's of years old, and I'm glad this company is keeping this tradition alive.

Though, a quick note.  I bought a couple beautiful souvenirs.  After comparing in person prices to what's found on their online store, some items have a higher in person markup than online.  The bookmark was sold for $18 at the theater, but is $12 online.  Whereas the compact mirror was $40 at the theater, and $25 online.  That's a huge difference.  I'm couldn't tell what shipping was, if that would balance the prices, but a $21 difference is a lot.  I wanted to support Shen Yun's mission, though I feel a little taken advantage of.  If you go to a performance and want to buy something, just check online first, that's all.

But regardless, Shen Yun is worth experiencing, even once.

My Little Dancing Soul

 My Mom was going through some old papers when she found one she wrote about me when I was really young.  It was fun to read, and shows how I've always had music and dance in my soul :0)

 "Before Sarah could walk she liked to kick her feet.  Her mommy would hold her arms so she would not fall.  Her tiny little feet made a tiny little dance.

"One day Sarah and her mommy and daddy were visiting Sarah's great granny and grandpa's house.  There was lots of family there, because it was granny's birthday.

"Everyone liked to hold Sarah, because she was such a sweet bundle of joy.  Her daddy told everyone there: 'did you know that Sarah could dance?'  Sarah's granny, and grandma, and great aunt said: 'Oh how wonderful.'  But Sarah's aunt Krissy said: 'How can that be.  She can't even walk.'  Sarah's daddy replied: 'You do not need to walk to dance.'  Then daddy walked over and picked up Sarah.  he held her arms and there went the feet tapping and kicking in perfect rhythm.  Aunt Krissy said: 'You're right she can dance.'"

I was born with rhythm pulsing through me. :0)

Disneyland Helped Inspire My Love of Music

  When I was young, pre-kindagarden young, my family lived only 8 miles from Disneyland.  My parents had friends who worked inside the park, so we visited many times during those short years.  At an early age I was introduced to Ragtime music next to the Gibson Girl Ice Cream parlor on Main-street USA, Jazz in New Orleans, and barbershop quartets.  Not to mention all the countless parades (the electrical parade was in its prime back then.)  Then there was the Plaza Inn stage located close to the mouth of the castle leading into Fantasyland.  Schools and groups performed there, and there was a space between the stage and seats where kids would get up and dance.  Next to that stage I did a fair share of dancing as a little tyke.

 One of the joys for me when visiting Disneyland are the surprise performances, especially in New Orleans.  On busy days you can hear Jazz music about every 15-30 minutes, and once they even had tap dancers (which is a soft spot for me, because tap will always by my favorite genre of dance.)  Disneyland helped influence my love of music beyond the popular, and for that I am thankful :0)

First Position: Movie Review

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

"First Position" is a documentary about six extraordinary young ballet dancers, ages nine to nineteen, who are all competing in the Youth America Grand Prix.  It's one of the most prestigious ballet competitions in the world.  About 5000 audition each year to become one of a couple hundred to perform in New York.  For the younger dancers it's a chance to perfect their art amongst fellow prodigies, for the older it's a chance to earn greatly needed scholarships and professional dance contracts.

The movie is superb.  Extraordinary.  Each of the kids profiled are inspiring.  I spent every moment in awe of their talent and hard work, and a career in ballet is not for the faint of heart.  Every one of the kids mentioned how they are always in pain, but it doesn't matter, dance is their passion.  And you see it in their faces as they dance: Pure joy and radiance.

I love dance shows, particularly "So You Think You Can Dance," but nothing comes close to the excellence I saw last weekend when I watched "First Position."  The documentary made "Dance Moms" look pathetic.

I would see this again in a heartbeat, and I hope it doesn't take too long to come to blu-ray/DVD.     

 

Get out and Dance,

Sarah