Shen Yun: China Before Communism - International Day in St Pete - Part 2

Join Us for an afternoon in St. Pete! 🌟We are calling this International Day with Italian, Chinese and Turkish/Greek if you want to partake of all stops, or you can pick and choose. This RSVP is for the main event: Shen Yun!

🛍️ First Stop: Mazzaro’s Italian Market - Start the day with a foodie adventure! Please RSVP separately here: https://www.meetup.com/sarasotawinelovers/events/312631269/?eventOrigin=group_events_list

🎭 Next, an 8-minute drive to the Main Event: Shen Yun!
Experience a breathtaking, all-new production featuring 500 world-class artists. Shen Yun hasn’t been back to Sarasota since 2014—this is worth the drive!

Why see Shen Yun?
Shen Yun is a visually stunning display of traditional Chinese culture, featuring classical dance, elaborate costumes, live orchestra, and animated backdrops, bringing ancient legends and stories to life, but it's also known as a vehicle for Falun Gong spiritual teachings and a critique of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), blending artistic revival with a clear spiritual and political message.

📅 Date: Saturday, February 7
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM (Arrive by 1:15ish PM)
📍 Location: Mahaffey Theater
⏰ Duration: 2 hours (includes 15-minute intermission)
🎥 Watch the Preview: https://youtu.be/MkeR8FXFqxY
🌐 Shen Yun Official Site: https://www.shenyun.org/
🚗 Parking: Mahaffey Theater Lot: 💵 $10 cash
Nearby garages and street parking:

• Southcore Garage: weekend rates and accepts credit cards
• Baywalk/Sundial Garage: Hourly rates with a weekend max
• Street Parking: Metered spots via ParkMobile app (check event restrictions)

💸 Group Ticket Info -

• Orchestra seating -> $142/ticket ( normally $176, since we are going all the way out there, let's splurge on great seats!)
• Orchestra 2, CENTER, Row 18, Seats 4-14
• (But if you prefer, we can still get the group discount for those who prefer to sit in Loge: 10 people → $114.45/ticket, Loge seating area - normally $124.75)

We need to confirm by January 6th to secure the group rates. We can have a mix of Loge and Orchestra seating. Just need our group of 10! Let's do this!

💳 🚨 Payment Alert → Annie
Payment covers ticket to the show only.
Zelle: sarasotawinefun@gmail.com (Last name: Malka)
Venmo: @Annie-Malka (Last 4 digits: 0345)

📝 Include event name & date in payment note.
Pay for each event separately for easier tracking.
🔁 Refund Policy
❌ No-shows or late cancellations that cannot be filled from the waitlist are non-refundable.
If plans change, update your RSVP and leave a comment so we can help fill your spot.

✨ About Shen Yun
Every year, Shen Yun unveils an entirely new lineup of dances, musical scores, and songs, making each season a completely fresh experience. Expect 💃 classical Chinese dance and captivating story-based performances, 🌏 ethnic and folk traditions from across China, and 🎨 dynamic animated backdrops that transport you to celestial realms and ancient landscapes. The 🎻 Shen Yun Orchestra masterfully blends Eastern melodies with Western symphonic richness, while 👗 exquisite handcrafted costumes bring history and legend to life. You’ll also enjoy 🎤 bel canto vocalists and stirring solos on the erhu, an instrument whose haunting tones echo the human voice. This is more than a show—it’s a journey through China’s ancient, divinely inspired culture, offering a glimpse of beauty and grace that feels almost heavenly.

🍽️ Dining Options
Let's dine in St. Pete after the show — RSVP for that separately to close out our International Day in St. Pete with Mediterranean cuisine at a top-rated yet affordable restaurant: https://www.meetup.com/sarasotawinelovers/events/312668889/?eventOrigin=group_events_list

🌸🏮Let’s be inspired by the splendor of China pre-communism, plus try a new delicious restaurant, stock up on goodies for home from the gourmet Italian Market, and wonderful company. Join us for this little field trip outside of Sarasota.🐉