We think it’s pretty cool when the old-school arts make a comeback, but what, exactly, qualifies as old school? Many, many viewings of KERA and Smithsonian Channel docs have taught us all about the good old days, like the birth of blues and jazz, but let’s face it: Artswise, Americans are the new kids on the block. (The history of American boy bands! Get cracking, Smithsonian.) Or, for a real look back at the arts from, say, 5,000 years ago, turn off the TV and get turned on to Shen Yun Performing Arts. With almost 100 dancers, musicians and other performers, Shen Yun puts on an awe-inspiring stage performance that covers five millennia of diverse history and reads like a live Zhang Yimou movie. Check out the Shen Yun spectacular at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St. Tickets are $60 to $150. Call 888-907-4697 or visit shenyun.com.
Thu., Jan. 3, 2013