This post is about our visit to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Shen Yun show. Shen Yun Performing Arts is an entertainment company based in New York and dedicated to reviving the glorious heritage of 5,000 years of civilization.
Chinese culture was believed to be transmitted by the divine through various dynasties. Sadly, China’s traditional culture and virtues have been devastated under 60 years of communist rule. Today you cannot see a performance like Shen Yun in China according to shenyun.com.
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The John F. Kennedy Center opened in 1971 as a living memorial to President Kennedy. It is the premier performing arts center in Washington DC and offers a wide variety of entertainment while also serving the nation as a leader in arts education.
Free guided tours of the Kennedy Center are offered daily. Tours depart from the parking plaza on Level A, and feature the Hall of States, the Hall of Nations, the Center’s main theaters, and explore the paintings, sculptures, and other artwork throughout the center.
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One of the most inspiring aspects is stepping into the center and walking along the Hall of States with flags for all 50 states, the 5 U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia or the Hall of Nations with the flags of the countries recognized diplomatically by the United States. These 270-foot-long corridors which reach 63 feet in height are breathtaking.
The Hall of States. To view the Hall of States virtually click here.
The Hall of Nations. To view the Hall of States virtually click here.
Both the Hall of States and the Hall of Nations lead to the stunning Grand Foyer featuring chandeliers, mirrored walls, red carpet and windows facing the Potomac. The Grand Foyer, at 63 feet (19 m) high and 630 feet (190 m) long, is one of the largest rooms in the world. If laid on its side, the Washington Monument would fit in this room with 75 feet (23 m) to spare. To take a virtual tour of North Grand Foyer click here, for South Grand Foyer click here.
The Millennium Stage at the end of the Grand Foyer looked empty at this time, but this very same stage looks completely different during the annual New Year’s Eve celebration. Free daily performances are held on the Millennium Stage in the Grand Foyer at the John F. Kennedy Center.
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We attended the Grand Foyer Party here a few years ago. Here are some pictures for comparison. There was a countdown to midnight, a balloon drop next to the millennium stage, and of course, plenty of champagne and other festive party drinks available for purchase at the Grand Foyer bars. It was a memorable event.
We were lucky to obtain the tickets to seats in the 1st row, since the tickets in Kennedy Center usually sell out very quickly with preference to the membership holders. The Shen Yun performance was in the beautiful Opera House. To take a virtual tour of the Opera House click here.
The entrance to the Opera House.
The Kennedy Center has a special seating section – a President’s Box – for the President and his guests. President and Mrs. Obama and other VIPs enjoy the Annual Kennedy Center Honors and other performances from this prime location at the Kennedy Center Opera House.
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Photography is strictly prohibited during the show, so here are a few pictures from the web. We think it was an incredible performance of outstanding dance, orchestra and singing from start to finish. Between each dance a young American man and a young Chinese-American woman appeared on the stage to explain the history of the forthcoming dance in English and Mandarin. The performers were very skillful, styles and costumes were brilliant. The backdrops, brought forth on the huge display in the backstage, practically transported the audience to beautiful Ancient China.
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During the intermission we stepped onto the River Terrace. From the River Terrace, you can see the Potomac River, Georgetown University, the National Cathedral, Theodore Roosevelt Island, and the Roosevelt Bridge. For the River Terrace virtual tour click here.
After the show we stopped at one of our favorite DC restaurants – Pier 7. We like this restaurant because of its great location and variety of delicious meals served here. It is the only restaurant in Washington D.C. overlooking the Potomac River and Haines point. The restaurant has plush red leather seats embossed in rich mahogany imported from the Philippines.
Aside from signature dishes like Crab Imperial, Pier 7 Crab cakes and Veal Oskar, the menu includes more than 60 entrees with something for everyone. One of our favorite dishes here is Bouillabaisse a La Marseillaise, which is made with a fish broth, fresh clams, lobster, shrimp, bay scallops, black mussels, julienne of onions, celery, leeks, tomatoes, fennel and Spanish saffron seasoning.
It was nice to enjoy our meals while watching the beautiful sunset over Potomac River.
