Shen Yun Performing Arts is on a tour through Canada and recently performed in Vancouver and Mississauga from March 21 to 28.
“Such a wonderful thing to watch. I’m so impressed,” said Todd Nadon, president of a metal trading company.
Rudy Cuzzetto, a member of the provincial parliament, has seen the show once before and he’s still in awe. He said: “There’s no words to explain. It’s beautiful, it’s spectacular.”
Business owner Shahily Garcia said she was amazed.
“It’s really beautiful. I loved everything. I loved the costumes. The colors are so vibrant. And it’s inspiring and disciplined,” she said.
Ian Batey, executive director of police victim services in British Columbia, thinks the performance is worth seeing.
“It’s a production that would be very, very valuable for all kinds of people to see, young and old,” he said.
Audience members appreciated learning about China’s 5,000 years of history and its true divinely inspired culture—not seen in today’s China.
Judi Vankevich, a children’s entertainer and singer, thinks everyone should see Shen Yun “to appreciate the beauty of China with the color and the music before communism.”
China’s Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976 destroyed its traditional culture. Now, the Chinese Communist Party doesn’t allow Shen Yun to perform in China.
Mr. Cazzetto said he wished Chinese people could see it in China.
“It shows the culture and the traditions of the Chinese people. And I think this would be very important for them to see this back home in their motherland,” he said.
Shen Yun’s performances highlight the importance of traditions and values. Audience members were inspired by the different messages expressed through dance, music, and vocals.
Mr. Nadon said the performance opens peoples’ minds to different things so that you’re “not [only] realizing everything you’re told [as being] true,” he said.
He added that the performance helps people “look deeper and try to find that space that makes you feel that you’re at one with yourself.”
Antoniette Catenacci, a designer, said it’s important to hold on to traditions “to be more in tune with ourselves in our surroundings.”
“Because so many people are being pulled away from it. And I think modern times definitely impact that,” she said.
As a designer, Ms. Catenacci was impressed by how the costumes were made.
She marveled at the detailed embroidery and how the colors in the costumes complemented each other. It “was just beautifully done,” she said.
Catenacci said: “the way you make something impacts the movement. So they definitely didn’t skimp on any of the costumes. The skirts were very full. So when they dance, the movement is amazing.”
Shen Yun will be in Canada for 10 performances in Toronto from March 31 to April 9.
“We’re very pleased that we’re able to attend tonight. People should come and see it,” Mr. Batey said.
“Please keep doing this. I think that the younger generation needs this. … I hope they keep, every year, coming back with new productions,” said Mrs. Garcia.
NTD News, Canada
