Shen Yun Performers’ ‘incredible artistry’ Praised at VIP Reception

Some of Toronto’s finest took in Shen Yun Performing Arts’ opening show at Canon Theatre on Friday night and stayed afterward for a VIP reception.
Shen Yun Performers’ ‘incredible artistry’ Praised at VIP Reception
Members of the audience enjoying the Shen Yun show at Canon Theatre in Toronto on Saturday night. (Gordon Yu/The Epoch Times)
Matthew Little
5/8/2010
Updated:
10/1/2015
<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/Resize_of_Sat_Night_Audience_Photo_1.jpg" alt="Members of the audience enjoying the Shen Yun show at Canon Theatre in Toronto. (Gordon Yu/The Epoch Times)" title="Members of the audience enjoying the Shen Yun show at Canon Theatre in Toronto. (Gordon Yu/The Epoch Times)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1820156"/></a>
Members of the audience enjoying the Shen Yun show at Canon Theatre in Toronto. (Gordon Yu/The Epoch Times)
TORONTO—Some of Toronto’s finest took in Shen Yun Performing Arts’ opening show at Canon Theatre on Friday night and stayed afterward for a VIP reception. There, they raised a toast to a dance company that went from a sensation in its debut 2006 season in North America to become a global phenomenon performing before hundreds of thousands of people in its 2010 world tour.

Charles Pachter, one of Canada’s leading contemporary painters, shared his thoughts with the assembled dignitaries and VIPs following the show.

“You guys are very, very impressive. Your array of talent and spirituality—it gave us all food for thought,” he said to the small contingent of Shen Yun performers that attended the reception.

Mr. Pachter, who has a deep respect for the Chinese people and their culture, said it was his fourth time to see Shen Yun.

Shen Yun describes its mission as reviving the spiritual essence of traditional Chinese performing arts, something all but destroyed under the atheist totalitarian regime now ruling China.

“I think that your mission is quite safe and secure in our wonderful country, and may you continue to thrive and treat audiences here with your great talents and spirit,” said Mr. Pachter.

Conservative Senator Consiglio Di Nino has been to Shen Yun before, and although a prior engagement kept him from the show on Friday, he arrived in time to share his thoughts at the reception.

“I have enjoyed the beauty, the dance, the song, the incredible artistry of these marvellous artists. I am looking forward to seeing it on Sunday.”

Since making its debut on Broadway in 2006, New York-based Shen Yun has expanded to three companies—each with its own full orchestra. During its 2009 global tour, Shen Yun played 320 shows in 102 cities in 20 countries.

Each year, Shen Yun’s choreographers, composers, and visual artists collaborate to bring an entirely new production to the stage.

For more information, please visit www.ShenYunPerformingArts.org .  
Matthew Little is a senior editor with Epoch Health.
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