MISSISSAUGA, Canada—Blake Butler, Vice President of Commercial Banking at RBC, had heard about Shen Yun Performing Arts for several years but this Saturday afternoon was the first time he had been to see the renowned classical Chinese dance production.
“The show is wonderful, very artistic, beautiful dancing, and the orchestra is amazing,” said Mr. Butler at intermission at the Living Arts Centre.
New York-based Shen Yun tours the world with an all-new program of mainly classical Chinese dance rounded out by Chinese ethnic and folk dance and original songs and musical compositions.
Founded in 2006, the company is dedicated to the mission of reviving the authentic traditional culture of China, a 5,000-year-old heritage that has been all but completely lost following six decades of communist rule.
Shen Yun endeavours to renew the ancient heritage through dance and music that is true to the culture’s deep spiritual essence with its values of compassion, propriety, wisdom, honour, sincerity, and reverence for the gods and the heavens.
Mr. Butler took notice of this rich essence.
“I’m beginning to understand that there is a lot of meaning, spirituality, with the show, in addition to the history of China,” he said.
The program features a number of mini-dramas inspired by stories and legends that span the history of the Middle Kingdom, from the Yellow Emperor through the dynasties to the modern day, including current events depicting the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by the communist regime.
“The spirituality, I think the right of choice and freedom is important,” Mr. Butler said.
He had high praise for the performance as a whole.
“I would say it’s absolutely first class, first-class production, very, very, very beautiful and entertaining.” he said.
In addition, with Chinese New Year—the Year of the Dragon—arriving in two days, “it’s good timing,” said Mr. Butler. “Start the New Year with a bang!”
Reporting by NTD Television and Cindy Chan
New York-based Shen Yun has three equally large companies touring the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company will stage two more shows in Mississauga before leaving Canada until it returns for shows in the West in the spring.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
