Acclaimed performing arts company brings ancient Chinese culture to the Harris Center with three performances
FOLSOM — One of the world’s most recognized and visually striking performing arts productions returns to Folsom this week as Shen Yun Performing Arts brings its 2026 global tour to the Harris Center for the Arts, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience a completely new production rooted in China’s ancient cultural traditions.
Shen Yun is scheduled to perform three times during its Folsom engagement, beginning with a matinee and evening performance on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., followed by a final matinee performance on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 2 p.m. All three performances will be presented on Stage 1. Ticket availability is limited as the tour continues to draw strong demand nationwide.
Headquartered in New York, Shen Yun was founded with a mission to revive and share China’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture, much of which was systematically erased or suppressed during the political upheavals of the 20th century. Through classical Chinese dance and music, the company seeks to reconnect modern audiences with an era when art, spirituality, and daily life were deeply intertwined.
Each year, Shen Yun presents a completely new program, and the 2026 production continues that tradition with an all-original lineup of dances, musical compositions, and visual designs. The performance unfolds as a series of short story-driven pieces that move fluidly through different dynasties, regions, and legends. Scenes range from heavenly realms and imperial courts to heroic tales of bravery and moments of reflection drawn from traditional folklore, all unified by themes of faith, compassion, loyalty, and moral integrity.
Central to the production is classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive and physically demanding dance systems in the world. Shen Yun’s performers undergo years of rigorous training to master its unique techniques, which include high-flying athletic leaps, controlled tumbling, and refined gestures capable of conveying deep emotion and narrative without spoken words. Each movement is designed not only for precision but for storytelling, allowing the dancers to embody historical figures and mythical characters with clarity and depth.
Accompanying the dancers is Shen Yun’s live orchestra, another defining feature of the performance. The orchestra blends traditional Chinese instruments such as the erhu and pipa with a full Western symphony, creating a rich and layered musical experience that supports the action on stage while standing as a distinctive artistic achievement in its own right. The fusion allows Eastern melodies and tonal systems to be heard through a symphonic framework familiar to Western audiences.
Adding to the production’s innovation is Shen Yun’s patented animated digital backdrop, which plays an active role in the storytelling. The technology allows dancers to appear to leap from the stage into sweeping landscapes or descend from the sky before reappearing in real time. This seamless integration of animation and live performance creates an immersive environment that enhances each scene without distracting from the artistry of the dancers.
Since its founding, Shen Yun has grown into a global touring presence, performing in hundreds of cities across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America each season. California remains one of its most prominent destinations, with performances regularly selling out in major venues across the state. Its return to Folsom reflects both the region’s strong support for the arts and the Harris Center’s role in bringing internationally acclaimed productions to local audiences.
Beyond the visual spectacle, Shen Yun carries a deeper message centered on spiritual heritage and traditional values. Many of the artists involved in the production left their lives in China in order to freely practice and express these traditions. Their dedication to cultural preservation and artistic freedom is woven throughout the performance, offering audiences not just entertainment, but reflection and inspiration.
With limited seats remaining for all three performances, audiences are encouraged to plan ahead for one of the most anticipated touring productions to visit Folsom this season.
Tickets and additional performance information are available through the Harris Center for the Arts website at www.harriscenter.net.
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