(Clearwisdom.net) Don Davies, New Democratic Party (NDP) representative for Vancouver Kingsway, was in the audience on Monday night for the Shen Yun Performing Arts show at Vancouver's Queen Elizabeth Theatre. He brought along his young daughter to experience the sights, sounds, and mysteries of ancient China.

MP Don Davies and his daughter

"I thought it was just a world class performance. The music was unbelievable, the dancing is just spectacular and the choreography, with the scenery and the staging, it's just among the best I've ever seen," he said.

In his work, Mr. Davies is committed to cross-cultural sharing and dialogue to foster communities and preserve valuable culture and traditions.

"I thought it was very illuminating for us in the West to be able to learn more about ancient and traditional Chinese mythology and stories. I'm particularly interested in making sure that all the cultures of Canada can come together and share with each other their best traditions. I think what I saw tonight is one of the best examples of that I've ever seen," said Mr. Davies.

Holding dual degrees in political science and law, Mr. Davies appreciated the educational value of the show, saying it "was really educational as well as entertaining."

When asked if he thought Shen Yun lived up to its heavenly name, Davies replied, "It's perfectly named, the performance was divine. ... Chinese culture is just so deep and wonderful to watch, so I'm really happy I came."

Former MP: "The Falun Gong are the most wonderful people"

Distinguished guests continue to shower praise on the show. "It was wonderful, so wonderful! The choreography is so beautiful and the orchestra was wonderful," said Ms. Simma Holt, a journalist, author and former Member of Parliament who made a name for herself as an intrepid reporter back when there were few women working in the profession.

Former MP and Journalist Simma Holt

In 1996, Ms. Holt received Canada's highest civilian honour when she was made a Member of the Order of Canada. One of her five books, Terror in the Name of God, was a worldwide bestseller and made her Canada's Woman of the Year.

Known as a passionate crusader against injustice, Ms. Holt speaks out for persecuted people around the world, including China's Falun Gong practitioners.

Shen Yun performance includes two programs depicting the persecution of Falun Gong in China, a cause near and dear to Ms. Holt's heart. She praised the Falun Gong community for its efforts to combat human rights abuses in China. "The Falun Gong are the most wonderful people and they come from all over the world."

Urge Others To See Shen Yun

Accompanying Ms. Holt was friend and fund raiser Dvori Balshine, an active member of the Jewish community and fund raiser who helps the Louis Brier Home and Hospital in Vancouver and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. "It was a fantastic show, really an amazing show. The dance, the expression, the backdrop. It was amazing."

Ms. Balshine said, "I am delighted to have the opportunity to be here tonight. It was a beautiful, beautiful show. The costumes, the expression, the music, everything was superb. Tomorrow I'm going to send an email to all my friends to come in the next few days because I don't want them to miss it."

Also attending the show on Saturday was Clive Ansley, a highly-regarded human rights lawyer. This was his second time to see the show.

"I particularly liked the vocalists. And the erhu I really loved. I think the particular pieces dealing with the [Falun Gong] persecution were very moving as well and I hope they will be moving to people that don't know much about Falun Gong or much about what's going on in China and about the crimes of the Chinese government."

Mr. Ansley said the show had added significance, "The fact that you have a traveling troupe like this one, in fact, this is one of three of them, traveling throughout the world outside of China, uncensored, and portraying Chinese culture without any political overtones, I think that you can't exaggerate the significance of that."

Lawyer: "Very Powerful!"

As the curtain went up on Tuesday night at Vancouver's Queen Elizabeth Theatre, a collective gasp was heard from the audience, and they responded afterwards with enthusiastic praise.

"There's a lot of emotion in some of the performances, and the musical pieces were really amazing. Some of the pieces related to family and bringing out that emotion was just very powerful," said lawyer and private investigator, Ms. Keay, being especially impressed by "Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution."

Lawyer and private investigator Ms. Keay

Lawyer, Mr. Hume recognized many of the scenes displayed on the innovative backdrops, which act as an extension of the dancers and help tell the stories.

"I think I'm picking up most of it. I recognized the Forbidden City and I'm picking up on the story. I think [the costumes] are very well done. They're quite colorful. I particularly thought the flower costumes [The Udumbara's Bloom] were good," said Mr. Hume.

Source: http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/14978/
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