Theatergoers in Mississauga, Canada Applaud Shen Yun Performance (Photo)
Shen Yun Performing Arts played before a sold-out crowd
(Clearwisdom.net) On Saturday, January 23, 2010, sold-out Shen Yun performances took audiences in Mississauga, Canada, on a journey of Chinese culture.
Shen Yun Gives "Valued Lessons," Says Company President
Engineering company president Edoardo Panziera and his daughter, Tia, attended the Shen Yun Performing Arts matinee show
Mr. Edoardo Panziera, president of Persego, an engineering company, attended with his daughter, Tia. "It was a fantastic show. I think it was a great showcase of traditional Chinese culture--of both dance and spirituality. I enjoyed it very, very much and I enjoyed bringing my daughter," he said. He praised Shen Yun's performances of classical Chinese dance, one of the oldest and most sophisticated dance systems in the world.
Mr. Panziera particularly appreciated the spiritual aspects of the dances. "I think dance is a great form of communication, of art, and of stories," he said. "So, traditionally, especially spiritual stories are told through dance. It's one of the reasons I bring my children here, specifically to expose them to [something] other than television. Most of the media we have here today focus on materialistic pursuits. Promoting spirituality is really absent from mainstream media. What I've learned as I've grown and matured with wisdom is that there's more to life than just acquiring more stuff."
He emphasized the need for transmitting these values. "We have to learn from the past and those lessons have to be passed on, otherwise future generations can't benefit. A lot of our problems today are because we've forgotten some of those valued lessons."
Mr. Panziera noted one such lesson in the story of "The Great Han Xin." The Chinese general, celebrated for bringing order to a chaotic period in Chinese history, is portrayed as a young man who nobly endures provocation by a ruffian on the street. His act of great forbearance is noticed by the future emperor's advisor. As a general in the Chinese imperial army, Han Xin later meets the ruffian again and, rather than punish him, invites him to join his ranks. "One thing I've learned is compassion, even toward your enemies. That is something we've forgotten that we could all benefit from," he said.
He also appreciated the historical lessons that Shen Yun offered since he has a strong interest in history. "I learned a lot [at the show]. I learned especially about the different types of Chinese culture, the different provinces, and the different heritages of each. Each one has something that they can contribute," he said. He noted the importance of multicultural learning. "One of the key benefits here [in Canada] is that we can take from other cultures and learn from them as well."
"Absolutely Fabulous," Says TV Producer
Kim Mcllwaine attended the Shen Yun Performing Arts closing show in Mississauga on January 23
Kim Mcllwaine was surprised by the unique show on Saturday night. Ms. Mcllwaine is a producer on Home and Garden Television. After attending the sold-out performance, she had much praise for Shen Yun, "It was absolutely fabulous. Incredibly educational on the Chinese culture. The dance was fascinating, incredibly unique. I've never seen anything like it, actually. I'm stressing the unique, because, as I say, I really haven't seen anything like it."
''The costumes were fabulous. I loved the colors--they were so bright--and I really found it very interesting ... It was quite an experience. There were moments when it was almost as if they were floating across the floor with the small step movements--that was so incredibly interesting. I just found the entire experience was really something that I will talk about for some time to come." Ms. Mcllwaine said she also liked the way the fans and the costumes, some with long, flowing sleeves, were used in some of the dances. "It was just really a unique, fascinating show, and I would highly recommend it."
Ms. Mcllwaine also commented on the two dances that deal with contemporary themes relating to religious freedom in China, where the authoritarian regime there is known for its cruel suppression of both traditional Chinese spirituality and Western religions. "It's sad to think that there's such a country out there. I mean that this dance wouldn't even be allowed to be seen, and that's where it comes from. I think it's extremely sad and a sad state of affairs for China," she said. "When you saw that they were being persecuted because of their beliefs and not being able to speak out, that was very sad."
Her daughter, Kayla, attended also. She shared the same sentiments, "She basically said it all. It was just beautiful, absolutely beautiful. And again, what they were speaking of about how they were being persecuted--it's very sad, and it's even more sad because we don't realize it, really, living in North America. You hear about this and it's so surreal and really this is really happening and it's really quite wrong," Kayla said.
"I would certainly come again. I would definitely come and possibly bring more of the family," added Ms. Mcllwaine.