Underprivileged children who received free tickets to Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in April made a large card to show their appreciation. (Kids Up Front)
The Vancouver Shen Yun Organizing Committee donated 525 tickets to the charity, enabling children to attend several Shen Yun Performing Arts shows at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in April.
Shen Yun Performing Arts is a New York-based company that travels the world showcasing traditional Chinese culture through classical Chinese dance and music.
“There are quite a few thank-you cards from the children, and one in particular is very special because it’s quite large with a big bright bow and very colourful, and we can’t mail it. We do like to get in front of the donors and deliver the thank-you’s personally when we can,” said Cindy Graves, executive director of Kids Up Front.
The tickets were distributed to some of the 124 agencies and charities across metro Vancouver that partner with the non-profit organization.
“This is the second year we’ve done this with [Shen Yun]. They’re great to work with. Not only that, but the production is just so professional and so amazing,” said Graves.
The concept of Kids Up Front, whose slogan is “One little ticket, one big lift,” is based on the simple premise that people are giving away something they already have. Although event organizations and corporations donate the most tickets, a growing number of individuals are also sending in their unused tickets.
The charity was founded by Calgary businessman John Dalziel, who wanted to fill the empty seats he saw at various theatrical productions, sporting events, and concerts with kids and families who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to attend such events.
The tickets are collected at Kids Up Front’s four offices across Canada and redistributed to charities that serve underprivileged children. In the last eight years, the organization has collected over 400,000 unused tickets.
Shen Yun Performing Arts was brought to Vancouver by New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV) and the Vancouver Falun Dafa Association. Vera Sun, director of public relations for NTDTV in western Canada, said the members of the organizing committee were “thrilled” that they could donate the tickets.
“We are so pleased that we were able to share something so truly beautiful and inspiring with these kids. It was a wonderful opportunity for them.”
As well as a full orchestra, Shen Yun features dancers, vocalists and instrumentalists, portraying Chinese myths and legends, both ancient and modern, through grand-scale dances, lively drumming acts, and vocal solos.
Formerly called Divine Performing Arts, Shen Yun is composed of a group of leading Chinese artists who came together in 2006 with a vision of reviving the best of traditional Chinese performing arts and culture that were all but destroyed under communist rule.
The group has since grown rapidly, and today consists of three dance companies which each season undertake an extensive tour playing some of the great stages around the world.
