TORONTO—With the sound of the gong, the curtain went up at Toronto’s Sony Centre for the Performing Arts on Wednesday evening, beginning Shen Yun’s 5-day run in Canada’s most populous city.
Tarek Dajani, a software engineer and dance instructor, attended the opening performance and was amazed by the renowned classical Chinese dance and music production.
“It’s nice, the colours are so bright, and it’s so catchy, and the show itself is a mix between nice dancing, nice costumes, and at the same time live music, which is always good,” he said.
A Latin dancer of over 12 years and now an instructor, Mr. Dajani was impressed by the technique and ability of Shen Yun’s dancers.
“The most amazing part is the control the dancers have over their bodies. … They can really do whatever they want with their bodies, which is nice to see—and they’re very light,” said Mr. Dajani.
The dancers of Shen Yun Performing Arts are all trained in classical Chinese dance, an ancient art form “known for its incredible flips and spins, and its gentle elegance,” according to the Shen Yun website.
Besides the dance techniques and artistic elements, Mr. Dajani said he enjoyed the storylines in Shen Yun’s mini-drama pieces performed through Chinese dance.
The stories had morals behind them that convey principles such as conquering evil, he said.
Shen Yun’s website explains that the mission of the New York-based company is to revive China’s divinely inspired culture. Through its performances and story-based dances, Shen Yun brings to life traditional Chinese principles such as benevolence and justice, propriety and wisdom, and respect for the heavens.
Everyone should see Shen Yun at least “once in their lifetime,” Mr. Dajani concluded.
“It’s a must-see.”
Reporting by Madalina Hubert
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun’s International Company will perform in Toronto until Jan. 25. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
