OTTAWA—It was a crisp, cool January afternoon in Ottawa as Shen Yun Performing Arts took the stage at the National Arts Centre for the first of two shows on Sunday, Jan. 10.
Temperatures outside may have been cold, but inside the theatre enthusiastic cheers and thunderous applause gave a warm welcome to the New York-based performing arts company which recently began an extensive world tour.
The Sunday evening performance was equally well received. Both shows, as well the final show on Monday evening, were sold out, including standing-room seats which were opened for sale a day in advance.
For many, the Shen Yun performances were an introduction to ancient Chinese culture and various Asian ethnicities and legends. For others it was a return to a show they have grown to appreciate and look forward to as an annual family outing.
Senator Elizabeth Hubley, who spoke at the VIP reception on Sunday afternoon, is a veteran dancer and dance instructor. She continues to serve as artistic director and principal choreographer of her own dance studio, Stepping Out, in Prince Edward Island.
“The show was absolutely stunning. It was just astonishing in its exuberance and its colour, in the choreography, in the music. It was enjoyable from the beginning to the end,” she said in an interview at the reception.
The show, she said, has a “very special spiritual aspect” to it that she found moving. “Moved to tears, absolutely. ... The show far exceeded my expectations.”
Temperatures outside may have been cold, but inside the theatre enthusiastic cheers and thunderous applause gave a warm welcome to the New York-based performing arts company which recently began an extensive world tour.
The Sunday evening performance was equally well received. Both shows, as well the final show on Monday evening, were sold out, including standing-room seats which were opened for sale a day in advance.
For many, the Shen Yun performances were an introduction to ancient Chinese culture and various Asian ethnicities and legends. For others it was a return to a show they have grown to appreciate and look forward to as an annual family outing.
Senator Elizabeth Hubley, who spoke at the VIP reception on Sunday afternoon, is a veteran dancer and dance instructor. She continues to serve as artistic director and principal choreographer of her own dance studio, Stepping Out, in Prince Edward Island.
“The show was absolutely stunning. It was just astonishing in its exuberance and its colour, in the choreography, in the music. It was enjoyable from the beginning to the end,” she said in an interview at the reception.
The show, she said, has a “very special spiritual aspect” to it that she found moving. “Moved to tears, absolutely. ... The show far exceeded my expectations.”
