(Clearwisdom.net) Shen Yun Performing Arts staged its first-ever show in Winnipeg, Canada on Wednesday night at the Centennial Concert Hall. Member of Legislature Ron Schuler attended the Shen Yun premiere in Winnipeg with his two daughters, and expressed his appreciation for the show.

"It's a very beautiful concert. It's just unbelievable," said Schuler, who represents the municipality of Springfield in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

Member of Legislature Ron Schuler attended the Shen Yun premiere in Winnipeg.

"This has a deeper meaning as well. Although it's very beautiful and there's an entertainment value to it as you can see, there's also a deeper meaning, and that's not lost on myself and I don't think that's lost on anybody here," said Schuler, who as a practicing Christian sympathizes with those who suffer because they can't practice their beliefs in China.

"We don't want to interfere in other states' business, but religious freedom is a right," he added.

Mr. Schuler was particularly touched by one of the scenes depicting the courage of Falun Gong practitioners, a peaceful meditation practice persecuted by the Chinese regime. "I think they did it very tastefully, it was done very beautifully," he said. "But the meaning is there and it's a very serious message that's being sent out. You can't mask that kind of serious message."

Mr. Schuler was also moved by the overall beauty of the show.

"It's beautiful. China is one of the oldest civilizations. It's just incredibly rich in heritage, rich in culture, and the beauty of it ... Just the athletics on the stage, the grace with which they move, and the beauty of combining dance and music is just amazing. I'm really excited to be here. I've got my two daughters here, and we're just loving it," he said.

Shen Yun travels with a live orchestra which includes both Chinese and traditional western instruments. Mr. Schuler said he also appreciated the music. He felt privileged to have front row seats, which gave him the chance to be closer to the orchestra.

Manitoba's Progressive Conservative Leader Moved by Shen Yun

Among the highly appreciative audience was Mr. Hugh McFadyen, leader of Manitoba's official opposition party, the Progressive Conservatives. "The dancing is beautiful, they have great talent--very graceful, beautiful movements and beautiful voices as well," said Mr. McFadyen.

Hugh McFadyen, leader of Manitoba's official opposition party

"The costumes are beautiful and expressive, and I think contribute to the understanding of the beauty of the performance and the story that's being told." He added that the music of Shen Yun's orchestra was "graceful and uplifting."

Mr. McFadyen was touched by the deeper aspects of traditional Chinese culture he saw in the performances. "You get sense as to some of the important values of harmony, and all those values that come through that have always been important parts of Chinese culture," he said.

The New York-based company takes inspiration from China's 5,000 year history but also draws from contemporary issues in China today, the persecution of Falun Gong. Mr. McFadyen said he was touched by that aspect of the performance.

"I was really moved by the message of the performance, the message of allowing freedom of thought and religion. The importance of individuals to be able to express themselves in ways that are important and connected to their beliefs. So I thought it was a very strong performance and a very strong message of need to respect individuals who exercise their conscience and their beliefs in the way that they think is right."

He said he felt sympathy for people forced to deal with an oppressive government because they want to express their beliefs.

Minister of State: "Shen Yun Highlights the Heritage of all Chinese"

After seeing the Shen Yun Performing Arts show, Stephen Fletcher, MP and Minister of State (Democratic Reform) indicated that in Canada, "...we are blessed to have life and that life needs to be free."

Reflecting on the performances he said, "It's very pleasant, it's easy on the eyes and it is well done. We certainly appreciate the presentation and appreciate that they've come to Winnipeg to demonstrate Shen Yun in Canada."

Minister of State (Democratic Reform) Steven Fletcher attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Centennial Concert Hall

Minister Fletcher appreciated all aspects of the show and said, "It makes a very clear statement, I found it was cleverly done through art, culture, and heritage, and I think people in Winnipeg and across North America will appreciate the increased awareness of the challenges that many people in China face." He was referring to two dances that deal with the persecution of Falun Gong in China today.

"It brings a different dimension, I think, to a lot of people's understanding of China in the present day, and is a way of presenting the Chinese culture - and as they said it goes back 5,000 years."

Minister Fletcher spoke about the contributions that Chinese people in Canada have made, and how traditional civilization affects the entire world. "China has contributed a lot to world civilization."

"It is worth seeing for sure and it creates a lot of awareness in a production that is artistic, culturally important, and highlights the heritage of all Chinese."

"It's something that you're going to remember for a very, very long time"

Member of the Legislative Assembly Myrna Driedger was captivated by the Shen Yun Performing Arts show she attended at Winnipeg's Centennial Concert Hall on Wednesday evening. "I'm totally enjoying this evening. What a visually powerful performance in terms of color, dance, song, music, story--very, very powerful, very world-class in terms of the performance they put on. It's amazing," she said.

MLA Myrna Driedger was captivated by the Shen Yun Performing Arts show

"I was actually really excited about coming here tonight," she continued, "I had seen some of the initial advertising and it looked stunning when I saw it earlier, and then tonight to come and see it live it really is amazing.

"And the fact that it is classical Chinese dance which I've never really seen that much of it is really spectacular and it's taking you back into China from before and China now, and I think it's made a lot of good points tonight."

"A lot of my colleagues came tonight. Everybody is amazed," she said.

She said she hopes others will see the show. "I think people should come out and see it. I think it's an amazing performance. It's top-class, top-caliber and it's something that you're going to remember for a very, very long time."

Ms. Driedger was first elected MLA for Charleswood in 1998. Ms. Driedger's professional achievements have earned her recognition on the "Canadian Who's Who" list as well as the "Who's Who of Canadian Women." In 2008, she was elected vice-chair of the Canadian region of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians.

Keeps Culture of China Alive

Winnipeg City councilor Jenny Gerbasi was among the audience welcoming Shen Yun Performing Arts when it staged is first-ever show in the city on Wednesday.

Ms. Gerbasi has been a Winnipeg city councilor since 1998, and a champion for the environment, rapid transit, inner city housing, and citizen participation in municipal affairs ever since. She has also been an advocate for human rights.

Long-serving city councillor Jenny Gerbasi was among Winnipeg's finest to take in Shen Yun Performing Arts

"It was really great," she said of the show. "You know it's actually seeing traditional Chinese culture, which you don't get to see--most of us don't know about it. So, it's really quite beautiful."

She was touched by the performances that depict the persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners in China.

"The concerns about human rights comes across as important, so it's sort of a dual purpose there, to share and keep alive the ancient, you know, the traditional Chinese culture, and to get a message of concern about the human rights issues, which we're very aware of here in Winnipeg," said Ms. Garbasi.

Ms. Gerbasi said the show achieved two things very well. It helped keep traditional Chinese culture alive and it opened a window on China today and the human rights issues that exist there.

"People come out to see something entertaining and beautiful, and then they hear the message, and see the culture."

She said she would leave with images of China in her mind and a sense of the history of the country, as well as the concerns of people there now.

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