Hong Kong Authorities Deny Visas to US-based Shen Yun Performing Arts, Force Cancellation of Sold-Out Shows

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by Shen Yun Performing Arts:

WHAT: Press Conference hosted by Shen Yun Performing Arts and New Tang Dynasty Network,

local presenter of Shen Yun performances, with the latest completed on January 24 at the Kennedy Center Opera House

WHEN: 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 27, 2010

WHERE: Bloomberg Room, National Press Club

529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor, Washington, DC 20045

WHO: Vina Lee, Company Manager and Choreographer

Brian Nieh, Lead Dancer and DC resident

Leon Chao, Lead Dancer and DC resident

Hoiwa Lee, Dancer and Hong Kong Resident

Gregory Xu, Stage Manager, whose visa was denied

Leeshai Lemish, Master of Ceremony

Terri Wu, NTDN Director of Sales and Marketing

On January 27, the date of the first originally scheduled performance in Hong Kong, Shen Yun Performing Arts hosts a joint press conference with its local presenter in Washington, New Tang Dynasty Network, to ask the U.S. government and Washingtonians to protect Shen Yun's rights as an American company, support artistic freedom, and defend freedom of expression in Hong Kong.

Over 7,700 ticketed audience members have been directly affected.  

Three days before over 90 dancers, musicians, and technical crew were to board a plane for Hong Kong ahead of seven sold-out shows, Hong Kong authorities refused to issue visas to key production members, forcing the shows' cancellation. The seven crew members are an integral part of Shen Yun Performing Arts and are highly trained in Shen Yun's specific artistic requirements. They cannot be replaced and the show cannot go on without them.

Shen Yun artists and representatives of the local presenter New Tang Dynasty Network are available for interview.  B-rolls are also available.  

About Shen Yun Performing Arts:

Based in New York, Shen Yun Performing Arts is a nonprofit organization that seeks to revive Chinese traditions that thrived before decades of suppression. At the production's heart is classical Chinese dance, along with vocalists, a unique orchestra of Chinese and Western instruments, and colorful hand-made costumes. Shen Yun's dances portray traditional legends, as well as events in present-day China, like the story of Falun Gong. By artistically depicting these stories on stage, Shen Yun aims to breathe new life into the values of China's divinely inspired culture. Last week, Shen Yun performed seven shows at the Kennedy Center Opera House.

About New Tang Dynasty Network:

New Tang Dynasty Network (NTDN), a Chinese language TV channel, is proud of presenting Shen Yun performances to Washingtonians.  It has presented three Shen Yun appearances at the Kennedy Center Opera House in February 2009, August 2009 and January 2010; the last run was completed on Sunday, January 24, with sold-out performances over the weekend.  Some 33,000 Washingtonians have enjoyed Shen Yun performances.

SOURCE Shen Yun Performing Arts