(Clearwisdom.net) To kickoff its 2011 World Tour, New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts Company staged four exhilarating shows at Southam Hall in the National Arts Centre in Canada's capital city, Ottawa, on December 23-26, 2010.

Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada. (Courtesy of the Prime Minister's Office)

Prime Minister Stephen Harper sent a message praising the splendor of Shen Yun and extended his best wishes for the show.

“Inspired by more than 5,000 years of Chinese culture, tonight’s event offers patrons the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful spectacle, combining brilliant choreography, ornate costumes, and outstanding musical compositions that bring to life traditional Chinese myths and legends,” Mr. Harper said.

“I am certain that everyone in attendance will enjoy this splendid celebration of Chinese heritage and culture,” he added, sending “best wishes for a most memorable experience.”

Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, also extended warm greetings to Shen Yun, saying, “I thank the artists of this inspiring performance for delighting Canadians with their impressive talent and I am grateful to the Falun Dafa Association of Canada and NTDTV Canada for their work in bringing Shen Yun Performing Arts to us.”

He also commended the entire Chinese Canadian community for their “remarkable contributions to the success of Canadian pluralism.”

Jim Watson, Mayor, City of Ottawa. (Courtesy of the Office of the Mayor, City of Ottawa)

Jim Watson, mayor of the City of Ottawa, said in a greeting letter to the show: “On behalf of Members of the Ottawa City Council, representing 900,000 residents, it is my distinct pleasure to extend a very warm welcome to the Chinese-Canadian communities of our nation’s capital, Montréal, Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, and others worldwide on the occasion of the 2011 Shen Yun Performing Arts World Tour.

“This world-class production … is a unique opportunity as well for Canada’s citizens of Chinese ancestry and the broader population to come together via satellite with other Chinese communities in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Oceania to be entertained by internationally acclaimed Chinese performers including talented artists from the West,” Mr. Watson concluded.

Progressive Conservative MPP Lisa MacLeod said, "Each year they offer us something new with the same divine message."

Lisa MacLeod, Progressive Conservative MPP, who attended the show with her family and friends, remarked that this was the fourth time that she had seen Shen Yun.

“Each year they offer us something new with the same divine message, which I think is incredible. The performance never gets old, I can assure you of that,” said Ms. MacLeod.

“I really enjoyed the musical performances by the tenors and the soprano. That said, the dancing is so graceful; the entire performance has an elegance to it like no other, so it’s always great to come here with my family and friends and to participate and support our community.

“The costumes are so elegant, the backdrop—the whole event is so amazing. I think the main message is the amazing resilience of the Chinese people to tell their story around the world, and I think they were able to do that again today,” she said.

“You must admit that the cultural performance that walks through Chinese history was quite amazing, and we were all very privileged to take part in it today. So it was wonderful,” she added.

Commenting on the Plum Blossom dance set, Ms. MacLeod said, “I must say that the blossom was probably my most favorite performance in that it reminds us that no matter how long or dark the day is, tomorrow there always is another one, and a spring around every corner. So it was great.”

"I think it is incredible. I just love it," said Ottawa City Councillor Katherine Hobbs, after watching Shen Yun Performing Arts in Ottawa on Thursday.

Katherine Hobbs, Ottawa City Councillor, was also in attendance.

“When the curtain opened with all the smoke, it is very ethereal,” she said. “I feel like when I’m watching them it’s as if they are floating, and I like that sensation, to watch them and have it appear so magical.”

Ms. Hobbs praised Shen Yun’s colorful costumes, animated backdrops, and the dancers' athletic abilities.

“I think it is incredible. I just love it, how they move. The athleticism of it seems just so understated. You don’t realize just how difficult it is, how easily they move. And the way they use their costumes as a part of the dance is very incredible as well.

“There was one dance where they were showing the people on horseback—that was incredible, how we felt there were horses there. It’s done so beautifully.”

Ms. Hobbs enjoyed how Shen Yun portrayed the different dynasties, starting with the first dynasty to rule China proper.

“That has been a very interesting part of it, how it started right from the very beginning and how it all started, all the dynasties, I just loved that.

"And these people are very strong. I am just amazed by how well they move and how they can use their bodies and their costumes to convey the feeling of that time,” she concluded.