(Clearwisdom.net) The famed Shen Yun Performing Arts graced the stage at Edmonton's Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium on Wednesday evening, much to the delight of the audience.

Ms. Palmerchuk, an artist, and her aunt, Ms. McCook, assistant vice president of a major financial institution

A belated birthday gift turned into an overwhelming experience for an aspiring designer and her executive aunt. Each year, the young Ms. Palmerchuk, an artist with a growing interest in 3-D modeling and animation, is treated by her aunt, to an experience of her own choice. This year it was the Wednesday matinee performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts.

Her aunt, Ms. McCook, is an assistant vice president of a major financial institution in Alberta. She said that, over the years, the pair has collected a number of great memories. This year Ms. Palmerchuk found her gift to be more than she expected. "I'm just overwhelmed right now," she said during intermission.

Ms. Palmerchuk began her artistic endeavors in traditional mediums but said she is now considering a college education in 3-D modeling and animation. She said Shen Yun's animated backdrops were an inspiration to her. "This kind [of] stuff is quite interesting because it is using fabric in the design through 3-D animation, which is incredibly difficult. Anytime you see anything that is pushing the boundaries, you just want to try it, too."

Ms. McCook was also quite taken by the performances. "I've really enjoyed it--I've enjoyed the color, the music, and that combined with the flow of the movement. I think they are incredibly athletic. I think that is what I have loved most about the show, the athleticism."

Ms. McCook said that normally Chinese music was not her favorite but that "the music here has been fabulous, much more orchestral. I quite enjoyed the touches with the Chinese music and the solo with the two-stringed erhu, that was quite interesting."

Trustee Officer: "It's really emotional, very touching"

Ms. Mills, a trust officer for the Office of the Public Trustee, and her granddaughter, Tianna, were thrilled with Shen Yun. "I thought the show was absolutely amazing, and the soloists are just astounding--[they] definitely have some good pipes on them as far as voice goes. The choreography was beautiful; their timing is impeccable--the expertise, the professionalism, it's so evident that it's there. And also when the dancers are dancing you can see that they hold a high level of pride for what they're doing."

Ms. Mills, a trust officer for the Office of the Public Trustee, and her granddaughter, Tianna

Ms. Mills said, "I found it interesting, just the culture of the dance and so on, and how it was explained that the [Chinese Communist] regime does not allow the performing of certain arts, historical Chinese arts. It was just astounding to actually see the history and the background. That's something I haven't really looked into. It's really emotional, very touching."

Ms. Mill's granddaughter, Tianna, said she thought the "most touching" piece was "Welcoming Spring." "It was so beautiful, with the flowers blooming."

Ms. Mill continued, "It makes me feel good. Actually, I was almost brought to tears a couple of times when I was watching a couple of the dances, because I could just feel the emotion that was there. That story ["Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution"] was really good-- they were all so good."

Among the audience was Mr. Dotto, a reporter and producer of a local TV show. He said, "I didn't know what to expect. But [it was] very colorful, very intricate, very good--everything, really, from the instruments to the dancing."

Financial Advisor: "Every scene is very very powerful"

Mr. Golka, a financial advisor, was interviewed during intermission. He called it an "amazing performance." "It was beautiful, the expression of color, sound, and music, and then also the expression of self and belief--it's important in all cultures. You have to have that."

Mr. Golka with his mother and grandmother

"In Canada we have struggles and in China they have struggles, so it's interesting to see that side of their culture and what they went through, what they believe in. It just helps you understand different peoples' beliefs and that's part of culture. In Canada we have a multitude of beliefs and a multitude of people, and when you see this it helps you appreciate it.

"The stories are powerful... The story of the family's struggle, losing a loved one, the story of hardship. What impressed me the most, you know it's an overall impression you get, but just the fact that every one of the performers is really trying to express themselves. Every scene is very, very powerful."

Mr. Golka continued, "Canada's a bit unique in that we don't really have a true culture since our country's very young. But [China has] thousands of years of culture, and it's great to see it demonstrated on stage like that so that Canadians and people all over the world can experience what their beliefs are and also they can also experience the hardships they went through."

He added, "The beauty of life is that we're always evolving. It sometimes takes something like this [show] for you to step back from what you believe and just question it: 'Is this the best way? Is there a better way?' And this is important. You have to take both sides of the story and you have to work with it because the country still exists as it does... but this helps you to understand what the troubles are and what the hardships are."

Mr. Golka was also touched by the message of the performance. "You know, it is culture and it is expression, but there's also an underlying meaning, [which is] that they're trying to give you some hope and belief that maybe there's a better way. And everyone needs hope and belief these days."

Source: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/15466/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/15469/
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