The sun setters are lively senior pingtan lovers who appreciate the ancient graceful folk art of leisurely storytelling to music.

"Our shared interest in pingtan brought us together," says 73-year-old Luo Youjin, founder and organizer of the Red Setting Sun. It was established in 1998 and today has about 200 "white hairs." The average age is 65, with the eldest 93.

"The elegance, historical knowledge and leisureliness of the antique art form are quite unique among other performing arts," says Luo.

Speaking of the group, he says: "We treat each member equally, whether they are rich or poor; we care about each other."

Every Tuesday the group congregates at the Majestic Theater on Jiangning Road to appreciate the pingtan performances on stage.

Besides watching the show, they socialize and later have a lunch at a local restaurant. Pingtan warms their hearts, eases their loneliness, becomes part of their lives and helps boost a dying art form.

Originated in Suzhou and the Yangtze Delta area, pingtan performance consists of a pair of performers, usually a man and a woman, who sing and tell a series of stories.

These are often romances about gifted scholars and beautiful, cultivated young women. The storytellers play folk musical instruments such as pipa (lute), and sanxian (banjo). The stories are charming and satisfying, the pace is leisurely.

"So many people. This group sounds incredible," says Luo. "Everyone expresses such passion that I was not prepared at the beginning. The number, around 200, also shows there is really so little entertainment activity for old people in the city."

Luo's emotional link with pingtan began in the 1950s when he was a young man.

The Red Setting Sun functions as a magnet for some elderly people to escape daily ennui and family responsibilities at least once a week. It becomes an indispensable part of their routine.

"It brightens my life after retirement," claims 70-something Shen Wenlong. "I made many new friends here. It seems that I have a new social network after my retirement. Most important, we love pingtan."

Shen underscores Luo's prime purpose in establishing the group.

"Today pingtan as a traditional folk art suffers from a lack of interest as audience numbers have dwindled since the 1950s. It's on the fast track to extinction," he says. "As a pingtan art lover for decades, I hope that we can do something for the ancient genre."

The Red Setting Sun does not limit their activities to Shanghai. They also visit Suzhou, Nanjing and Hangzhou to support other pingtan performing troupes.

It is really a sight to see a hundred elderly people in a rented bus traveling off to boost the "spell" of pingtan.

"We are very grateful for what The Red Setting Sun has done for the renaissance of pingtan, says Wu Junyu, a renowned local pingtan performer.

Excursions not only involve pingtan, but also exciting traveling experiences. "We old people need a leisurely schedule when traveling outside the city," says Feng Yuqi, a 65-year-old woman.

"This arrangement suits us perfectly. We don't have to visit scenic spots in a rush, we have more time to relax."

Considering their limited budget and special requirements, Luo found a sympathetic travel agent who gave full support.

"I was especially moved that the bus driver refuses any overtime payment every time, even very late at night," says Luo.

The fame of the Red Setting Sun has spread in the city and many old people want to join.

"But I have to say sorry," says Luo who is busy handling arrangements with several other group members.

"I just don't have the extra energy to run a big group. After all, I am already 73," he explains. "I just hope that I can continue to keep running the group longer."

Date: Every Tuesday, 8-10am
Address: Majestic Theater, 66 Jiangning Rd
Admission: 2 yuan