(Clearwisdom.net) Around sixty students from a South-Asian school in Edmonton that emphasizes multiculturalism were treated to traditional Chinese culture when they attended the performance by Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium on Thursday afternoon, April 16, 2009. Ms. Menon, vice principal at the school, said the students "had an awesome time."

Ms. Menon, vice principal at the school and the students

She said, "It's something for the students. They were very excited about coming. The grade-six students are learning about China in social studies right now and this was an opportunity for them to explore other cultures besides their own."

Mansirat, one of the students, said he had never seen such a performance before, and that he would love to come again next year. "I liked the dancing very much," he said. "The clothes were very nice. And the music was so good." Gurveen said he "really liked the show. They're so beautiful!"

The live orchestra is something Ms. Menon greatly enjoyed, "The music was superb; the music matched the performances." She was so impressed by Shen Yun, "I enjoyed it, it was fabulous. I would go again. The costumes, the performances, were all unique and different. It's something that everybody could enjoy."

For Mr. Osbalodeston, a musician of some 45 years, Shen Yun offered inspiration. He attended the final of three shows at Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium on Thursday night.

Musician Mr. Osbalodeston

The guitarist, keyboard player and singer, commented, "I've enjoyed it very much. I really have enjoyed the costumes, the very colorful costumes. I've also enjoyed the music--the music is wonderful. And the stage production is spectacular."

He was enjoying immensely Shen Yun's unique blend of classical Chinese and Western instruments, "I find it very interesting. They compliment each other very well. I have enjoyed the music very much, I think it's very good."

He was especially impressed by the erhu, "I especially enjoyed the two-stringed instrument that the lady was playing, the erhu, I thought it was really amazing that she could get such wonderful music out of just two strings! She did a very good job...She evoked a sense of tranquility, that would be the first word that would come to my mind."

Mr. Osbalodeston said, "I think the whole show was very inspiring."

Ms. Martin brought no less than 46 friends to the show. This is the second year in a row that she has brought a large group of friends to see Shen Yun. "It shows the Chinese culture. It's excellent, very nice, very good!"

Ms. Martin brought 46 friends to the show

The retiree used to work in the human resources department at Canada Post and now organizes events for seniors. Her group, Club 55, is open to everyone 55 years of age or older and is run by volunteer members. The oldest members are in their 80s or 90s.

She made sure to include Shen Yun on her list as a cultural activity, "I think it's very good culturally for my people, because they're all from different backgrounds. This way it gives them a little bit of the insight of the Chinese background, what Chinese do, their type of dance. I think that's very good for my people."

Ms. Martin shared her impression, "The drums are very exciting, very different, and very nice. It shows the Chinese culture, very knowledgeable and educational," and the dances are, "very good, very elegant."

Mr. Butler, a hotel owner in the Rocky Mountain town of Jasper known for its world-famous skiing and beautiful sights, was among the audience. "The costumes are very exciting and the quality of dancing is amazing. We are enjoying every minute of it."

He said, "We're really impressed with the music. It seems very natural and flowing and easy. I've really enjoyed listening to the tonality of it a lot. I particularly enjoyed the solo on the erhu, I found that to be really fascinating. That performance was really striking, I really enjoyed that a lot!"

Source: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/15472/
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