NEW BRUNSWICK, New Jersey—Putting on the first of two shows at the State Theatre today, June 20, Shen Yun Performing Arts continues to enlighten audiences with its wonderful display of China's ancient culture. Sarita Cook is an artist from England originally, and has just written and illustrated her first children's story.

Ms. Cook exclaimed, "I thought the show was absolutely, just magnificent". She added, " I was prepared for the beauty and the talent, and the way of dancing, but it was just stunning."

The New York-based performers showcase China's 5,000-year-old culture through the artistic media of classical Chinese dance and music. Beautifully costumed energetic and graceful dances are accompanied by the Shen Yun Orchestra in a unique union of Chinese and Western instruments, with solo performances by virtuosos in opera singing and the erhu.

Ms. Cook knows a lot about China, and collects Chinese art and old manuscripts. She is also a Buddhist, and has been influenced by traditional Chinese art ever since she took a course in London. "The culture fascinates me, the country fascinates me," she said.

The artist was touched by the show for many reasons, commenting, "Artistically, it spoke to me; visually, it spoke to me."

Two of the dances in the performance depict the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China by the communist regime. Falun Gong is a peaceful meditation practice based upon a set of exercises and living by the principles of truth, compassion and tolerance.

Ms. Cook thinks there needs to be more publicity about what is currently happening in communist China and feels that people can learn a lot from Shen Yun. She explained, "I just think it's absolutely spellbinding and people should go and see it. And I think we really need to spread what is happening in China-it's not a free country."

For Ms. Cook, the most memorable aspect of the show was about human rights and moral values. She had been unaware of the persecution of Falun Gong and was moved by the courage of the Shen Yun performers. She feels their work is essential and America can learn a lot from these upright values.

"I think the show should travel to as many [places] and have as much advertising as it possibly can so people can be awakened because that’s really what the American culture needs," she concluded.

With reporting by Gary Du.

Shen Yun will travel on to Providence, RI, for two evening performances, June 26-27. For more information, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts.

Original article: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/37724/