(Clearwisdom.net) The Garden City of Toowoomba was Shen Yun Performing Arts' last stop in Queensland, Australia, and the beautiful Empire Theatre was the perfect venue. The evening performance on Monday, April 13, completely charmed the audience in this prosperous rural center. Toowoomba's Deputy Mayor, Paul Antonio said the town was "honored" and "delighted" to have Shen Yun come to Toowoomba.

Mr. Antonio said, "I think we're all intrigued, absolutely intrigued ... so many people, so good at what they do. It's been a wonderful experience for each and every one of us. It was all wonderful, the dancing, the singing everything, it was just beautiful and I enjoyed every second of it."

"We certainly wanted to have you here and it's a great honor. We hope you come back," the Deputy Mayor said. "I was enthralled the whole time, and I'll certainly be coming back next time."

Ms. Wilson, who has studied and performed classical ballet as well as teaching it, attended the performance with her granddaughter Bella.

Ms. Wilson, who has studied and performed classical ballet as well as teaching it, and her granddaughter Bella

"We thought it was beautiful, The colors of the costumes, the beautiful movements and the underlying message was very strong: to have the love and the understanding that, [what we do] today is important, because there is eternal life."

She found it fascinating, "I was extremely fascinated with that aspect of the culture, and they have so much humor," referring to the dance "The Monkey King Triumphs" and the humor of the emcees. She also enjoyed the spring dance with the beautiful fans, "Welcoming Spring."

Her granddaughter, Bella, was entranced by all the dancing and especially the costumes. "I want one of them," she said, remembering the colorful full skirts in "Dance of the Yi," "I had no idea about China's culture, and I thought it was cool."

Professional watercolorist Ms. Grant saw Shen Yun with her mother. "Everything about it was lovely, and I am just delighted that we are here," said Ms. Grant's mother, Barbara.

Professional watercolorist Ms. Grant and her mother Barbara.

Ms. Grant particularly noted the colors, "I think the colors are magical, coming from an artist's point of view. I can appreciate all that has gone into the backdrop [and] the coordination of the dance group. Very inspiring!"

She shared, "An artist looks at colour and immediately thinks about painting, and that is happening for me tonight, for sure. I love the patterning, the continuity of the dance. It all shows through, right down to the shoes they wear. It is all thought out."

She said, "Definitely something that should be revived and not forgotten. I didn't realize they were losing their own culture [in China], so I think we are probably privileged to be shown that tonight. It is something that should never be lost, so it is nice to think they are trying to revive it through the performing arts."

She added that Shen Yun was "not to be missed. You've got everything, you've got dance, acting [and] all that color and art. You've got opera. So it is many, many facets rolled into one."

Her mother Barbara nodded in agreement, "I just think exactly the same as my daughter. I think everything is excellent. I think the story with the little girl was very, I won't say heartwarming, I would say heartbreaking perhaps. It was beautiful. I think everything is wonderful, and I love the stories. I think it is very interesting for us interpreting them for ourselves. I think they are done beautifully. I can't speak highly enough of it."

Originally from Hong Kong, Mr. Wong moved to Australia when he was 6 years old. Being Chinese, he was very interested in seeing Shen Yun and grateful that the world-renowned show came to his town.

Mr. Wong is currently a music major and Chinese minor in college

"I think it was a great show. It's very insightful [about] my own culture. I got to see things I don't get to see at home. I was mostly raised in Australia, and I didn't get to see these things. It was very nice to see this here in Toowoomba. Very unexpected," he said.

Mr. Wong felt that it may be a hard task for Shen Yun's artists to revive such a profound culture, yet he has hope. "I reckon they'll succeed. I reckon they'll succeed."

Mr. Wong is currently a music major and Chinese minor in college. Because he has some experience playing traditional Chinese instruments such as the erhu, and the xu, the Chinese flute, he was delighted to hear these classical Chinese instruments featured.

Teacher, Mr. Gillespie, was very inspired by seeing Shen Yun, "It was just amazing--the costumes and the performance in general. I was just inspired. It was really amazing."

The reverence expressed in many of Shen Yun's performances touched Mr. Gillespie on a profound level, "I think that truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance are just such a strong theme that goes through all of these performances. I think it just shows how to think of others. It's just a very important message to get across," he said.

Mr. Gillespie has thoroughly enjoyed this performance, "They just put everything into all their moves. The music and everything is just unbelievable."

Source: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/15288/
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