OTTAWA—Ottawa city councillor Marianne Wilkinson attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, her second time seeing the premier classical Chinese dance and music production.
“I was here three years ago. It’s quite different, but it’s very beautiful, and the way they are using the screen and the special effects are quite outstanding.”
Born in Ottawa, Ms. Wilkinson was a teacher of urban studies before she and her husband moved to Kanata. She was Kanata’s first mayor after the city was incorporated.
After serving for seven years, she served several terms as a regional and Kanata councillor before being elected to city council representing Kanata North in 2001.
The New York-based Shen Yun has three companies touring the globe. As a representative of the city, Ms. Wilkinson appreciated that Shen Yun’s International Company chose Ottawa to kick off its Canadian tour.
“I think that’s a good place to have it,” She said. “I’m a city councillor in Ottawa so it’s nice to see it happening here.”
Shen Yun draws inspiration from 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, a culture that has long honoured such virtues as benevolence, justice, courage, and filial piety.
Ancient legends are presented in dances that showcase these virtues and China’s ethnic diversity.
“The theme of the show is interesting, with the whole idea of goodness and evil,” said Ms. Wilkinson, noting that it is a universal theme.
“[It] is something, a story, that is worldwide,” she said.
“Many different cultures have come from that different stream and I think it’s really interesting to see it coming from the Asian form.”
Ms. Wilkinson added, “[Shen Yun] shows you a lot of different types of dancing and movements and things that we don’t see normally in North America.”
“It’s very nice. It’s unique,” she said.
With reporting by NTD Television and Pam McLennan
The Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company will continue at the National Arts Centre until Dec. 23. For more information visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
