VIPs from Politics, Culture, and the Arts Celebrate Shen Yun at Reception

The event began with a short speech by Sue Zhang, director of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for Shen Yun, highlighting the company’s exponential growth since 2004.

In 2007, Shen Yun gave 78 performances in 32 cities; in 2008, 216 performances in 66 cities; and in 2009, 300 performances in over 100 cities.

“Thank you Shen Yun for bringing us together here this afternoon,” Ms. Zhang said.

Shen Yun show host Ben Freed introduced the Shen Yun performers in attendance, among whom was celebrated tenor Guan Guimin.

Mr. Guimin said Shen Yun is the largest overseas Chinese group that has ever toured around the world. He noted that a Shen Yun performance uses over 400 pieces of colourful clothing in its costumes.

“The combination of colours and also the backdrops in that combination are really unique throughout all the world. So we believe that all of these beautiful costumes and colours can really allow the human spirit to be rejuvenated,” he said through translator Mr. Freed.

High-end canapés and desserts prepared by chef Taryn of Savoury Chef Foods, a catering company specializing in Asian food flair, were served on platters by a black-clad wait staff.

Government Officials Recommend Shen Yun to All Canadians

Government officials attending the reception were unanimous and enthusiastic in their support for Shen Yun.

Sen. Mobina Jaffer, attending Shen Yun for the third time, brought eight family members with her to see the high art of Chinese traditional culture.

“It’s just beautiful—it is such a beautiful show. I wish more people could see it,” she said, recommending the show to all Canadians while at the same time commenting that next year she would bring even more family members to the show.

“Don’t miss it,” she said. “It’s an art form that we all should enjoy.”

It was also Member of Parliament Bill Siksay’s third time to see the show.

“It was great again. It’s hard to believe that it could stay as wonderful as it’s been in the past, but I think this year might have even been a little bit better,” he said.

“I’m a big fan now; I think I’m a certifiable fan because this is my third time. I think every year I’m so impressed at the spectacle of the dances, and the movement, the athleticism—it was terrific.”

He said that although he’s not a great theatre critic, he would give the show a ten out of ten.

“The dance is incredible, the music is fabulous, the costumes are great… I don’t know—what’s not to like about it? It’s great. It’s a terrific show,” he said.

“It’s good that it’s having such an extensive tour in Canada so that people all over the country can have a chance to see it.”

Author Simma Holt, recipient of the Order of Canada and a former MP, spent her birthday at Shen Yun. She commented that it was a special day “because today was the Shen Yun event.”

“Everybody has to go to it. It is beautiful,” she said.

Commenting on every aspect of the performance with high praise, Ms. Holt told Mr. Guimin during the reception that he “made Pavorotti sound like a canary.”

She also said the show presented a “magnificent history of China. Such a deep history, and it’s a beautiful show.”

Luminaries from Arts and Culture Inspired by Shen Yun’s Profundity

Mr. Dennis Walz, vice-chair of the Dance Foundation as well as vice-chair of Wen Wei Dance, saw universality in Shen Yun’s artistic works.

“I think that’s what people look for, something deeper and more fulfilling in their lives, instead of materialism and the immediate. I definitely think there’s a spirituality in the works,” he said.

“It goes beyond all ages. And I would say beyond all histories and countries. I think it’s something universal to all human beings.”

Mr. Walz is also a partner in a Vancouver law firm specializing in business and entertainment law.

“I think, particularly in times of a recession, people want to learn about history and want something more universal and timeless, such as the stories you are seeing today. Because it’s such a long history, there’s a timelessness to it.”

Mr. Walz attended Shen Yun with Luglio Sandoval, a dancer with the Canadian Pacific Ballet.

Mr. Sandoval said he related to Shen Yun’s mission of reviving China’s cultural heritage damaged in Communist China.

“We work in classical, and reviving the old traditions,” he said, adding that it is important “to bring traditions and show them to our children, to our new generation, what previously were done and the things that would otherwise be lost and forgotten.”

As a dancer Mr. Sandoval was impressed by Shen Yun’s technical skill and quality.

“This is really, really beautiful. The dancers are spectacular; the athleticism, the mixture of athleticism and beauty and grace—it’s fantastic.”

Referring to the Tibetan Dance of Praise, where young noblemen and women dance for joy, Mr. Sandoval said, “I didn’t know that men were able to dance the long sleeves. I loved that. Men and women being able to do that, I liked that part—that was very impressive.”

The show, he added, is “world class. We are privileged to have [Shen Yun] come over here.”

Media Mmogul ‘intrigued, mesmerized and inspired’

Blake Corbet, president of Anagram Pictures Inc., a feature film production company, found Shen Yun a “refreshing and unique experience.”

“I love it, as it is very precise, very moving, restrained in a way. I find it very pretty, very beautiful, very graceful and precise,” he said.

As a film producer, Mr. Corbet was impressed with the state-of-the-art backdrops accompanying the dance and vocal performances.

“The backdrop was a unique addition and unexpected addition to the show. I have never seen dance brought together with those elements that help with the story telling. I thought that was very well done.”

With reporting by NTDTV and by Michael Wang.

  For more information, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.