(Clearwisdom.net) Five performances of the Chinese New Year Spectacular were presented at Toronto's Sony Center for the Performing Arts from January 18 to 20. The profound Chinese culture of five thousand years, the dazzling costumes, and resounding music left many audience members in awe.

Ken Coates, University of Waterloo Dean of Arts, and his wife Carin Holroyd, an Asia expert, watched the show with their son Marlon Coates and adopted Vietnamese daughter, Hanna on the evening of January 19. Mr. Coates said that he liked the pieces which depicted legends in Chinese history. "The drum dances were absolute splendor, and the Tibetan dance was very soft and pretty."

He said that his family was thrilled and this was the first authentic Chinese cultural show he he had seen, though he had seen all kinds of Eastern shows.

From this show, they learned that Asian and Chinese people were very peaceful and people with belief could face hardships and persecution nobly, Ken reflected.

Stephanie Penava is a high school student, and she said that she was amazed by the show.

"It was my first time to watch a show of this kind. It was truly remarkable. The male dancers were exceptionally good. The dance which depicted three female Falun Gong practitioners persecuted in China was very touching. The performers were so talented in depicting emotion and you could almost feel every detail portrayed by the choreography."

Chinese international student Yafan Hu said that the show was great.

"I liked 'Herding in the Mongolian Plains' which vividly portrayed the demeanor of Mongolians and their traditions... As Chinese, all of us have an obligation to promote Chinese culture to the world. This show is a great presentation of Chinese culture, and you cannot find one like this in Mainland China."

Hu said that he was very fortunate to have this opportunity.

"I feel very good. I just came to Toronto five months ago. I feel very lucky to have this opportunity. I am really honored."