“The Chinese culture. I’m sorry, I just want to cry. It’s just so beautiful, the message there,” said Araceli Guerrero, the founder of Heavenly Warrior Yoga and Wellness. “All the artists are just amazing, how through their movement, through their art, they are giving us a message. And so I really enjoy everything about it.”
“The dancers were excellent, and the story was very easy to follow along. I know sometimes not everybody nails that so well, but you guys did a perfect job of it, and it was very entertaining, utilizing the multimedia,” said Rebecca Blissett, a writer. “The two-string instrument was phenomenal. And I love how it was interspersed in the entire show, just for these very, very, very good breaks, but seamless too.”
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, presenting a China before communism through classical Chinese dance and music. The stories on stage struck a chord with the audience.
Ms. Guerrero said, “It’s that root, the foundation for everything, is very important to carry that culture."
Ms. Blissett said, “We see the ballet a lot, so it’s a little different, but just in awe with the choreography, which was bang on, and the flips. And it was so interesting to learn that that's not necessarily gymnastics training, but it’s all part of Chinese classical dance. So I love the history that was interwoven with the performance as well.”
“I like the monks, the message of the monk, and to believe there’s something higher, something greater out there. And put the ego on the side, and be true to the self and be kind,” said Ms. Guerrero.
She added that “The spirituality, the message through the Chinese culture to me, it was very authentic, very true to the self. And being humble, to me, is being humble and being conscious of who you are, what you are, and being kind to everyone else.”
Daniel Zabo, an educator and researcher, said, “Just hearing some of the news that some of these performances were canceled in Toronto, and the reasons for that, and that it’s been a history of that is completely unacceptable, and we all know, I think, it's from the Chinese Communist Party. And so I’m here to show my support that type of treatment is not acceptable anywhere, and definitely not in Canada.”
Mr. Zabo said, “I think there should be more of it. I think any opportunity there is to express this type of expression should be elevated, I think absolutely, and eventually we have a change in China that is beneficial for all. I think that’s what I hope for.”
Ms. Blissett said, “I think it’s always good to teach people about history, especially in different cultures. And when you’re trying to keep a segment of your own culture alive as well. I think it’s really good to keep telling it in this storytelling, multimedia arts way, because clearly, there’s a lot to it, and I think people really benefit from even learning about it, regardless of your belief system, especially with what’s going on today, right? It’s really nice to have something positive and uplifting."
Ms. Guerrero said, “I’m very emotional right now because the message ... it was so powerful that there is no word [for it]. The best thing for me to say is to invite people to come in and experience what I’m experiencing just now with the show. It’s just very touching for me, so I really recommend people to come and watch it.”
