(Clearwisdom.net) Shen Yun Performing Arts made its debut performance in Vancouver on Friday night April 3 at the Queen Elizabeth Theater, delighting the audience with its portrayal of traditional culture. Shen Yun Performing Arts won heartfelt words of praise from the audience after staging its first of seven shows.

Chinese Benevolent Association of Canada's Vancouver chairman Mr. Zhao

Mr. Zhao, chairman of the Chinese Benevolent Association of Canada in Vancouver, was among the audience on April 3. He commented, "It's my first time to see Shen Yun and it's absolutely amazing, astonishing and first-class. They displayed the different inner content of Chinese culture. It was truly touching for me. I could cry," said Mr. Zhao, who bought more than 30 tickets to give to friends. He said that all Chinese should come and watch Shen Yun.

He was particularly moved by a scene in the dance-drama, "Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution," "The righteous were persecuted by the evil forces. The family was broken apart and attacked. Human rights were infringed upon. That scene was really, really touching. My tears just flowed, because it reminded me of when I was six or seven in the 1950s during the land reform movement. It is so rare for such [a] performance to exist overseas. I couldn't believe it. I didn't believe it until I saw it. It is absolutely the best. I hope not only we Chinese, but everybody can come and watch this show. There's such a big loss in not seeing it," he said.

"I am loving the show so far," said Mr. Weiland, owner of a Vancouver media company, during intermission. "It is great. I am looking forward to the second half. It is my first time. I will definitely come back and see it again. I am loving the show."

Mr. Weiland said he had been looking forward to Shen Yun for a while. "The orchestra and music is fantastic," said Mr. Weiland, who attended the show with his wife.

"The backdrop is very effective. Having people show up on the stage from the images--it is very effective." Mr. Weiland said it was his first exposure to traditional Chinese dance. "It is great. The color and music are great. I haven't seen anything quite like this. I liked the fan dance, very pretty."

"It is really good," said his wife, Mrs. Weiland, who is originally from Cambodia. "It really gives you a sense of remembering the old days. It is really interesting. It is quite traditional Chinese."

Michael Ruvio, a retired restaurateur who owned seven restaurants on Vancouver's busiest downtown streets including Robson, Davie Street and Granville, was among those praising the performance.

Michael Ruvio, a retired restaurateur who owned seven restaurants, and Ms. Jiang

"I liked it very much," he said in a thick Spanish accent. "I liked it, she liked it," he said, referring to his Chinese companion, Mary Jiang. "We came because it is her birthday, and we are celebrating the occasion." Mr. Ruvio said he and Ms. Jiang thoroughly enjoyed the dancing and music of the show. Ms. Jiang, who recently left China where she was a dentist, said she had wanted to be dancer when she was younger. "She wanted to be a dancer but her father said no," said Mr. Ruvio. He finished by saying that he and Ms. Jiang were huge fans of the performance.

Mr. and Mrs. Feridon, originally from Iran, also attended the performance as part of a birthday celebration. "It is his birthday next week," explained Mrs. Feridon. "I am happy because I saw this show--very nice, beautiful," exclaimed her husband. "I liked this show. It was very nice. This is my first time," added Mr. Feridon, who owns a commercial painting business. "It was very nice, very wonderful," said his wife. "Everything was very harmonious."