It will be a full month of cultural shows, a drumming festival, symposium, cooking demonstrations, book reading, folk tales story telling and films are in store for a full set of programs planned for May which is Asian Heritage Month.
The theme for the 10th Asian Heritage celebration will be Wavin’ Flag which will be featured at the official opening ceremony to be held on Saturday, May 7th at the Indo-Canadian Arts and Cultural Centres at 479 St. Mary’s Road. Special program to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, an Indian poet, essayist and nobel prize winner, will be featured during the opening ceremony.
Government officials, MLA Christine Melyneck and Opposition Leader Hugh McFayden, will grace the affair along with leaders from the various Asian communities. AHM President, Art Miki said: “Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity for Asian Canadians to highlight their contributions to the Canadian society and to share their music, writing, history and culture with other Canadians.”
The Asian Canadian Festival at the Forks on May 23, Sunday; and May 24, Monday will feature the multitalented Asian Canadians. On May 22, Sunday at 7 p.m., the Asian Drumming Festival will be held. The following participants in the drumming festivals include Ching Wu Lin Dance, Phoebe Man, Tabla Group, Indian School of Dance, Music and Theatre; half-elf/half-man by Alfie Vera Mella; Hinode Taiko; the guest performers include Hoop Dance; Coffieman and Hi-Life Steel Band Orchestra.
Asian Heritage Symposium with the cooperation of the Seven Oaks School Division will be held on Friday, May 20 10am to 3pm. Asian Canadian Writers’ Showcase will feature Judy Fong Bates, author of “Year Of Finding Memory (2010) and “Midnight At Dragon Cafe” (2005) May 17, Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at McNally Robinson Booksellers Artrium at Grant Park Shopping Centre. Ro Miki, Launch of Mannequin Rising, a book of poerty, at Aqua Books, 274 Garry St. on Friday, May 27 at 7pm.
The funders of the Asian festivals include the Manitoba Goverrnment’s Ethnocultural Support Program; Citizenship and Immigration Canada-Multiculturalism, Federal government; and Writer’s Union of Canada and Canada Council.
Partners are the CBC and The Forks. Sponsors include Vickar Auto Group, Incv.; JS Furniture, FCP Smart Builder. Filipino Journal, Sarte Heating and Cooling Ltd. Randy Viray Financial Services, Youngs Trading, Lucky Supermarket, Lindewnwoord Stylist. Supporters are Harry Ong Edy Chang, Manitoba Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association, Manitoba Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Rowena Oquwendo, Seven Oaks School Division, Tony Tavares, Yellow River Chinese Associations, Muni Mysore and Assiniboine Credit Union.
For further information please contact Rod E. Cantiveros, the immediate past president, 999-7964; 489-8894 – Muni Mysore 895-7242 and Art Miki -488-8059
