the magic of dragons
Dragons live forever.
In the myths of old China, they are beings of glorious purpose, noble and magnificent in deed and character. The ancients spoke of these sacred creatures, which reigned over the earth, spreading blessings throughout the land.
As time passed and legends faded, they hid and were nearly forgotten. Relics of a distant era, buried under dust — until a delicate touch brought them back to life. In the morning of a new millennium, Shen Yun Performing Arts has awakened the sleeping myths of old into the present.
And the result is nothing short of splendid.
History of Shen yun
Established in 2006, the New York- based performing arts group has grown from a single company to four — each complete with a dance troupe, singers and live orchestra — and tours annually around the world. Its performance is grounded in classical Chinese dance, an art form almost as old as China itself.
Nine years and five cont i nents have s een nearly 3,000 successful shows performed in sold- out venues such as Lincoln Center in New York, Kennedy Center i n Washington D. C., and Palais de Congrès in Paris, among others. What started as a wish to revive traditional Chinese culture has exploded into a global sensation, earning the praise and admiration of art lovers from all walks of life.
Art At its essence
True art does not need translation — its message reaches beyond the boundaries of language and speaks directly to the soul. The very best of China’s culture, spanning 5,000 years, is skillfully woven into original dance pieces and compositions made by Shen Yun’s i nhouse choreographers and composers.
Some are portraits of its greatest heroes — like the heroine Mulan. Others paint scenes from folklore and fantasy — such as the exploits of the Monkey King. Many are simply expressions of grace, beauty, and strength, poetry given physical form in gorgeous group dances brimming with masterful choreography.
“In the soft moments, the quiet moments, and the energetic moments, you are really transported — it’s really beautiful,” said Canadian celebrity chef Christine Cushing after seeing the performance in Toronto last January.
From the vast steppes of Mongolia to the Himalayan heights, and from the battleships of ancient warriors to the garden so fan imperial court, each program by Shen Yun is a colorful leaf in the ever- growing tree of history. Though each piece stands alone, all are part of the whole, a colourful canopy nurtured from the seeds of a breathtaking past.
Shen yun today
Perhaps the true magic of Shen Yun lies in the fact that it exists at all. In our fast- paced, frantic world, it is hard to find a time to enjoy the scenery. The serenity of the ancients and their words of wisdom have precious few chances to enlighten us.
And yet Shen Yun has done all of that and more, in a single show. We are taken across the meadows and forests, past forbidding peaks and mysterious depths. We laugh with colourful characters of old, stand strong in atrocity, and marvel at the endless beauty of life, free and unfettered.
The Chinese referred to themselves as Children of the Dragon. In a sense, we are all successors of ancient legends. Our roots originate from different worlds, but the voices of the past still rest within our souls.
Somewhere in our hearts, a dragon of our own stirs, and rises to join the dance upon the grand stage of history.
The all-new Shen Yun 2016 returns to Toronto, Mississauga, Kitchener and Hamilton, April 21-May 11.
For ticket information, call presenter hotline 1-855-4161800 or visit:
ShenYun.com/GTA