CALGARY, Canada—Company owner Ingrid Ruud and her close friend Fred Beer, a retired salesperson, drove eight and a half hours just to attend Shen Yun Performing Arts’ second show at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
Seeing Shen Yun had been on the duo’s bucket list for many years, and on the evening of April 16, that dream finally came true. Mr. Beer thought the performance was “very nice.”
“The very beginning when the curtains opened—Oh, those divine beings, the palace, the agility of [the dancers’] bodies—when they first came out, I started to cry. The costumes and their movement—I felt like I was in heaven.”
Unlike the modern, military-influenced styles often seen in China today, Shen Yun preserves and performs this tradition in its most authentic form, as it was originally passed down through generations.
Ms. Ruud especially enjoyed the piece where the dancers’ long sleeves billowed and flowed like the gentle movement of water on stage. These sleeves were once a part of ancient Chinese feminine attire, representing humility and grace.
She was also highly impressed by the company’s use of a 3D backdrop. The digital animation integrated seamlessly with the performers onstage, enhancing the storytelling in a captivating way. The technology is so innovative that it is patented.
“We love the way you combine your traditional dancing and stories with modern technology. The way they become part of the screen, it’s just incredible,” she said. “It was so nice. It gave me goosebumps. No doubt about it.”
Since its establishment in 2006, Shen Yun has earned widespread acclaim. Each year, the artists present a brand-new set of choreography and musical compositions, ensuring that both new and returning audience members are always in for a surprise.
