After show cancellations in the spring, Shen Yun Performing Arts made its return to the Four Seasons Centre in Toronto, Canada, for a five-show run from June 25–28.
Canadian Member of Parliament Ned Kuruc drove more than an hour from Hamilton to see the June 26 sold-out performance and show his support. He said Shen Yun’s return sends a positive message.
“As you can see, it’s a sold-out event on Friday. I’m sure every day will be sold out, so the community here in Toronto can enjoy what was originally supposed to happen a few months ago. It’s a very positive thing,” Mr. Kuruc said.
“The signal that this event is sending that it’s a very positive signal, so there might be some disruptors somewhere. But common sense prevails. When situations do arise, we have to get involved. This is Canada, we stand for freedom and democracy. So today shows that the show must go on.”
Six of Shen Yun’s Toronto shows scheduled to play from March 29–April 5 were canceled because of hoax bomb threats linked to China’s communist regime. The performances were rescheduled, and this week, returned to the stage.
“My parents came from socialism, and I understand how terrible it was,” Mr. Kuruc said.
“There’s a rich, rich history of China going back 5,000+ years, and to think it gets erased so quickly by communism is a shame. And this is a performance that lets people who don’t understand or might have not known that to peek into what it was like before. So it’s very positive.”
Based in New York, Shen Yun has been seeking to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture since 2006, through classical Chinese dance and music. The company says it showcases “China before communism” for audiences around the world.
“It’s amazing to see the talent of these people, and the music and everything. We’re so happy to be here,” said Financial planner Michel Guimond, who also attended the June 26 show.
Family physician Dr. Waheeb Alshaar said, “Amazing. There’s no words to describe it, actually. It takes us too deeply inside ourselves, and it comes to the pure consciousness level in us. So that’s great, that’s amazing.”
“I hope many people would be enlightened with this kind of show, and they will touch the spirituality and the deeper consciousness inside them. So it’s touching, and I think it would change a lot of people’s lives,” Dr. Alshaar said.
Shen Yun will continue with performances at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto, Canada, through June 28.
NTD News, Toronto, Canada
NTD is a media sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts, covering audience reactions since 2006.
