Unveiling Shen Yun: Chinese Dance, Culture, and Controversy

Shenyun.com

Leeshailemish.com

About the Guest(s):

Leeshai Lemish serves as the MC and podcast host for the Shen Yun Performing Arts, a globally renowned classical Chinese dance and music company. Having joined the company at its inception in 2006, Lemish has emceed nearly 2,000 performances in prestigious venues worldwide, including Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and the London Coliseum. Lemish is also a dedicated activist, documenting over 100 cases of alleged Chinese Communist Party interference with Shen Yun. In addition to his performance and advocacy work, he hosts the podcast "Shen Yun Voices," giving voice to the stories behind the team.

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of The Chris Voss Show, host Chris Voss welcomes Leeshai Lemish, MC and podcast host for Shen Yun Performing Arts. The episode delves into Shen Yun's mission to revive 5,000 years of authentic Chinese culture, a task complicated by censorship from the Chinese Communist Party, which opposes representations of China that predate its rule. With gripping revelations about the struggles and triumphs of performing this culturally rich art form globally, Lemish sheds light on the enduring spirit and creative journey of Shen Yun.

The podcast moves through the company's origins to its spectacular stages across the world, emphasizing the transformative power of Shen Yun's classical Chinese dance and music. Lemish shares personal anecdotes, revealing the arrests and threats that employees like him face from Chinese authorities due to Shen Yun's message, which prioritizes cultural authenticity and spiritual freedom. This episode resonates with powerful themes of art, resilience, and truth, all underscored by the threat posed to art that defies modern political narratives.

Key Takeaways:

Shen Yun Performing Arts is dedicated to reviving traditional Chinese culture, showcasing it globally, and highlighting the conditions under which the current Chinese regime operates.

Artistic expression through Shen Yun is not merely about performance but also preserving a cultural lineage that the Communist Party has attempted to eliminate.

The perceived threat by Shen Yun to the Chinese Communist Party has led to a series of alleged sabotage attempts, including threats to performers and partnering venues worldwide.

Leeshai Lemish's involvement with Shen Yun reflects a greater commitment to spiritual practices and understanding Chinese culture while confronting censorship.

Despite political pressure and threats, Shen Yun continues to perform worldwide, embracing global support and continuing its mission to educate and inspire through art.

Notable Quotes:

"They're very afraid of that because to establish their legitimacy, they felt that they had to wipe it out."

"Maybe there's something I could do about this. I actually, in 2001 went to China and meditated in public and was immediately arrested."

"This idea of reclaiming virtue to put it in a kind of metaphysical way of reclaiming integrity."

"If you control the press. And, and so that was in 2001. And at the time we really didn't know."

"Knowing that I learned the lesson to know unless you find you're giggling and caroling us can't have Kansas fighting rotting this of sunshine muggles."

Join Chris Voss and Leeshai Lemish in this riveting episode that goes beyond the stage and highlights the immense cultural and political landscapes that Shen Yun navigates. Tune in to the full episode for a deeper understanding of the beauty, challenges, and inspirations that influence Shen Yun's global journey. Stay tuned for more from The Chris Voss Show, bringing you transformative conversations with extraordinary visionaries.