LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Jan 7, 2014) - The Shen Yun World Tour (www.shenyunperformingarts.org/videos) returns to Southern Calif., March 11-30, 2014. This spectacular dance and music performance brings back 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and culture that were nearly lost.

At the heart of the show are classical Chinese dancers, demonstrating the expressiveness that is at the heart of this dance form, which places a high value on meaning and expression. Classical Chinese dance has its own training in basic skills, postures, leaps, spins and tumbling techniques, forming an extensive and independent dance system, considered to be one of the most rigorous dance forms in the world.

During the Shen Yun performance, audiences are taken on a transformational journey through ancient legends, modern heroic tales and stories set in heavenly realms, sharing messages of enlightenment and high values. Animated backdrops with which dancers interact bring a modern edge to the production.

Featuring some of the world's foremost classically trained dancers, a powerful orchestra that combines Eastern and Western musical instruments, richly colored traditional costumes, and interactive backdrops, Shen Yun, which translates to "divine beauty or grace," creates a life-changing performance for audiences of all ages.

Internationally renowned fashion designer Donna Karan says of Shen Yun, "What I loved about the show was the authenticity of it. It was inspirational and educational, a performance that I encourage everyone to see and all of us to learn from."

The Shen Yun Performing Arts World Company, a nonprofit organization based in New York that runs independently of the Chinese regime, is committed to sharing the sophisticated artistry and values that are part of the Chinese heritage, with people of all cultures. The team behind Shen Yun is preserving traditional Chinese art and culture by sharing its performance with the rest of the world.

Academy Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett says, "[Shen Yun is] exquisitely beautiful... an extraordinary experience for us and the children. The level of skill, but also the power of the archetypes and the narratives, were startling."

Other celebrities who have praised Shen Yun include Joy Behar, Drew Carey and Robert Stromberg, the Academy Award-winning production designer for Avatar, along with millions of other audience members.

Tickets are now available for Shen Yun performances in Costa Mesa, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, Calif.

To purchase tickets, visit tickets.shenyun.com.