Toronto’s volunteer group “Global Asian Interactive Association (GAIA),” invited by Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Toronto, on August 21 performed the enchanting Electric Techno Neon Gods Dance in the 2015 CNE Opening Ceremony in Toronto. Almost one thousand audiences watched the show and they all clapped in admiration as the performers sang and danced on the stage. With digital bulletin boards on both sides of the stage offering English introduction to this unique Taiwanese cultural performance, seven young Taiwanese volunteers wore heavy costumes of the Electric Techno Neon Gods, dancing in the rock-and-roll melody of Taiwanese pop song Bo Bee (保庇）and showcasing their unique dancing steps often seen in the religion parades of rural areas in Taiwan. The performance was so popular that after the show many audiences lined up to have pictures with those colorful and happy-looking Neon Gods. It is the first time that Taiwan’s Electric Techno Neon Gods performance is able to shine on the CNE stage.
It is also the first time for Taiwan to set up culture booths in the CNE to promote its national image, and to be invited to join the international cultural performance during the CNE opening ceremony. The GAIA accepted Toronto TECO’s invitation and organized the Electric-Techno Neon Gods dancing group to perform in the CNE event. Their members designed the dancing style and created the rock-and-roll background music for the CNE performance, fully displaying the spirit and creativity of the second generation of overseas Taiwanese. Before this performance, members of the GAIA knew little about Electric-Techno Neon Gods. However, in their preparation and rehearsals, they came to appreciate the beauty of Taiwan’s culture and became more confident about themselves as Taiwanese and more determined to promote Taiwan in the future.
