Asian Heritage Month Festival 2019
presented by
The Canadian Foundation for
Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc.

May 4 to May 30, 2019

***Events Index Quick Links***

• May 13 - May 19, 2019
  Asian Heritage Month Art and Photo Exhibitions
  at Metro Hall Rotunda with presentations and workshops
  Event Poster
  
  
• Tuesday May 21 Asian Heritage Month Concert “Unity in Diversity: Practising Asian Canadian Art within Western Context”
  at Innis Town Hall
  Event Poster
  Bios of Artists Featured at the Concert and Arts Showcase
  
  
• Thursday May 16 to Thursday May 30- Asian Heritage Month Art and Photo Exhibitions at City Hall Library including:
• Thursday May 30 Asian Heritage Month Talk at City Hall Library, Toronto Public Library
  Professor Chef Leo Chan "Chinese Festivals and Foods"
  Event Poster
  
  
• Asian Heritage Month Education Roundtable: Culturally Relevant Teaching and Learning Strategies
  FOR SCHOOLS ONLY
  Venues: Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board
  


• Sunday May 26 - “Impact Filmmaking: Exploring the Relationship Between Art and Activism" | Film Festival at Innis Town Hall, University of Toronto
  Event Poster
  

Please also see Other Events for Asian Canadian heritage events that are
not part of the Asian Heritage Month Festival
presented by CFACI.

Click here for our list of Sponsors

1. April 21 - OPENING CEREMONY OF ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH FESTIVAL 2019 AND MEDIA PROMOTION
Asian Heritage Month Art and Photo Exhibitions
at City Hall Rotunda with presentations and workshops
THEME: UNITY IN DIVERSITY: FUSION OF COMMUNITIES IN CANADA

FEATURED EXHIBITION:
"Diversity - Fusion - Unity" Photographs by members of the Chinese Canadian Photographic Society of Toronto (CCPST)
Photographs by Stephen Siu, Edwin Ho and Tam Kam Chiu, GMPSA (Grand Master of the Photographic Society of America).
Featured Talks:
Mr. Justin Poy on “What’s happening in the world of film in China, and its opportunities for Canada?” ”
Mr. Stephen Siu on "Jews in Shanghai -- Revisited and Parallels to Canada"
Ms. Mushtari Afroz “Kathak Dance: Sunset in Fall”

Launch of Asian Canadian Artists in Digital Age
Mr. Philip Chan “Asian-Canadian Artists in Digital Age Photography Workshop”

FREE ADMISSION
Date: April 21 to 25, 2019
Venue: City Hall Rotunda

Opening Ceremony on Sunday April 21 at 2 pm
Event Poster
Please register for the Opening Ceremony on Eventbrite: Click Here

Description:
The Featured Exhibitions are -
"Diversity - Fusion - Unity"

Photographs by members of the Chinese Canadian Photographic Society of Toronto (CCPST)
Photographs by Mr. Stephen Siu, Honourary Advisor and Past Chair, Chinese Canadian Photographic Society of Toronto
Photographs by Award-Winning Photographer Mr. Tam Kam Chiu, GMPSA (Grand Master of the Photographic Society of America), Honourary Advisor, Chinese Canadian Photographic Society of Toronto,

Visual Art by WE Artists' Group: Henry Ho, Erik Chong, Sharon Cook, Jessica Deng , Irene Hung, Brian Lau, and introducing new artists: Guo Yue Dou, Wendell Chen, Gyan Sandhu, Kulwant Singh



Photo by Edwin Ho, Chair, CCPST

This event will explore the fusion of two types of visual art: painting as an imaginative reproduction of reality, and photography as a realistic representation of life. In juxtaposing these two visual art forms, the innovative ways Asian artists manipulate the multicultural setting of Canada can be seen, such as applying oil painting techniques on Chinese themes, or using Chinese brush painting to show Canadian themes. How photography aspires to be a verisimilitude of life and an imaginative interpretation informed by Asian philosophy will also be shown. Dr. Lien Chao will work with the Artists Association, and the Chinese Canadian Photographic Society of Toronto will feature their members' works. During the festival weekend, the artists and photographers will be present to talk about Asian art media and demonstrate their techniques; these educational activities aim at helping the public to develop necessary knowledge and critical skills to appreciate Asian art.

OPENING CEREMONY
Welcome Address
by Mr. Justin Poy, Patron, Asian Heritage Month-CFACI
Greetings

Featured talks by Chinese Canadian Legend Award Recipients
Mr. Justin Poy on “Topic: “What’s happening in the world of film in China, and its opportunities for Canada?”

Videos Part I | Part II | Part III
Over the last two decades we have seen China develop into a blockbuster machine. Yet, Chinese films rarely get much international attention. Is it an intentional snub? Or are Chinese films not made for the international market? Was “Wolf Warrior 2” actually a good action flick? Or was it good considering it came from China? With recent big budget flops like “Asura” (backed in part by Alibaba’s Jack Ma), that cost $122MM USD to make yet only brought in $7.1MM before it was yanked from theatres, to cross over movies like "The Great Wall" starring leading man, Matt Damon, that garnered a dismal audience and reviews — what is actually happening that has made “Chinawood” rethink their movie production formula? How can Canada optimize this opportunity, and what are the implications for Toronto, Hollywood North?

Photo by Edwin Ho, Chair, CCPST

Mr. Stephen Siu on "Jews in Shanghai -- Revisited and Parallels to Canada"

Videos Part I | Part II | Part III
Stephen is the producer of the "Jews in Shanghai" project in Toronto and a researcher on that period of history who has met with Dr Ho Feng Shan's daughter Manli Ho in both Winnipeg and Toronto, and interviewed the head of the Jewish Studies Centre in Shanghai. Dr Ho was the Chinese Consul General to Vienna from 1938 to 1940, and he was called "Chinese Schindler" because he saved thousands of Jews. How will this talk rekindle memories of the holocaust, and in what ways Toronto is serving similar roles as Shanghai in addressing multiculturalism and providing asylum?
Photo by Edwin Ho, Chair, CCPST

Ms. Mushtari Afroz | “Kathak Dance: Sunset in Fall”

Videos Part I | Part II


Photo by Edwin Ho, Chair, CCPST

Mr. Philip Chan | “Asian-Canadian Artists in Digital Age Photography Workshop- ProShow Application”

Videos Part I | Part II | Part III



Photo by Edwin Ho, Chair, CCPST

Co-Organizers: Asian Heritage Month—Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc.; Chinese Canadian Photography Society of Toronto; WE Artists' Group; Social Services Network
Asian Heritage Month Festival is partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. Asian Canadian Artists in Digital Age is funded by Canada Council for the Arts Digital Strategy Fund

2. Asian Heritage Month Art and Photo Exhibitions at Metro Hall Rotunda

Featured Exhibitions:
"Diversity - Fusion - Unity" Photographs by members of the Chinese Canadian Photographic Society of Toronto (CCPST)

FREE ADMISSION
Date: UNITY IN DIVERSITY | FUSION OF COMMUNITIES IN CANADA Monday May 13 to Sunday May 19, 2019
Venue: Metro Hall Rotunda
Event Poster

Description:
The photo exhibition will be on "Diversity - Fusion - Unity" with about 80 photographs by members of the Chinese Canadian Photographic Society of Toronto (CCPST), including special exhibits of photographs by CCPST Honourary Advisor Mr Stephen Siu, CCPST President Mr Edwin Ho, and international award-winning photographer Mr Tam Kam Chiu.Award-winning photographer Tam Kam Chiu, Chinese Canadian Photographic Society of Toronto
Featured visual artists: Award-winning painter Sharon Cook, Jessica Deng , Irene Hung, Brian Lau, and introducing new artists: , Wendell Chen, Gyan Sandhu, Kulwant Singh
, Frank Chao

Curators Dr. Lien Chao and Mr. Tam Kam Chiu

Photographs provided by Mr. Tam Kam Chiu of Chinese Canadian Photographic Society of Toronto

This event will explore the fusion of two types of visual art: painting as an imaginative reproduction of reality, and photography as a realistic representation of life. In juxtaposing these two visual art forms, the innovative ways Asian artists manipulate the multicultural setting of Canada can be seen, such as applying oil painting techniques on Chinese themes, or using Chinese brush painting to show Canadian themes. How photography aspires to be a verisimilitude of life and an imaginative interpretation informed by Asian philosophy will also be shown. Dr. Lien Chao will work with the Artists Association, and the Chinese Canadian Photographic Society of Toronto will feature their members' works. During the festival weekend, the artists and photographers will be present to talk about Asian art media and demonstrate their techniques; these educational activities aim at helping the public to develop necessary knowledge and critical skills to appreciate Asian art.
Co-Organizers: Asian Heritage Month—Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc.; Chinese Canadian Photography Society of Toronto; WE Artists' Group; Social Services Network; York Centre for Asian Researc, York University; Asian Institute, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy; Richard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong Library, University of Toronto
Asian Heritage Month Festival is partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and supported by Toronto Arts Council with funding from the City of Toronto

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3. Thursday May 16 to Thursday May 30, 2019 - Asian Heritage Month Art and Photo Exhibitions
at City Hall Library, Toronto Public Library

FREE ADMISSION

Featured Talk by Professor Chef Leo Chan
"Chinese Festivals and Foods"
Date: Thursday May 30, 2019
Time: 1 pm - 2 pm
Venue: City Hall Library, Toronto Public Library, 100 Queen Street, Toronto
Please register on Eventbrite: Click Here

Professor Chef Leo Chan will talk about 'Chinese Festivals and Foods.'

FEATURED TALK:
Renowned Professor and Chef Leo Chan will take you on a journey through traditional Chinese festivals and discover the foods that are celebrated and enjoyed during these annual gatherings.
Professor Chef Leo Chan giving the talk at City Hall Library.
There is a photo and art exhibition of a culinary theme too, as well as related to the Dragon Boat Festival.

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4. Thursday May 9 - The Seventeenth Annual Asian Heritage Month Lecture and the Fifteenth Annual Asian Heritage Month Education Roundtable

Event Poster
Time: 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Venue: Innis Town Hall, University of Toronto, 2 Sussex Avenue, Toronto
Map at http://www.utoronto.ca/townhall/contact.html
FREE ADMISSION: Please register on Eventbrite here
Description
ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH-CANADIAN FOUNDATION FOR ASIAN CULTURE (CENTRAL ONTARIO) INC.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH REELWORLD FILM FESTIVAL (WWW.REELWORLD.CA)
PROGRAMMED BY TONYA WILLIAMS, EXECUTIVE AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, REELWORLD FILM FESTIVAL
Asian Heritage Month Film Festival May 2019
Impact Filmmaking: Exploring the Relationship Between Art and Activism
Date: Sunday May 26, 2019
Time: 1:30 PM Doors Open, Screening starts at 2 PM
Venue: Innis Town Hall, University of Toronto, 2 Sussex Avenue, Toronto
Map at http://www.utoronto.ca/townhall/contact.html
FREE ADMISSION






FEATURE: 3 Seconds Divorce
Winner of the Audience Award at the 2018 Reelworld Film Festival
Director: Shazia Javed An age-old practice allows Muslim men in India to divorce their wives unilaterally by simply stating the word ‘talaq’ three times consecutively. The only way for a couple to live together after this is for the woman to perform ‘halala’. Halala requires the divorced woman to get married to another man and get divorced again after the new marriage is consummated. The entire process leaves no space for a woman’s agency nor does it establish any rights for her. Frustrated with lack of initiative from the government or religious leaders to stop this; Muslim women in India organize and start a movement to reclaim their religious and constitutional rights. 3 Seconds Divorce tell this story through the journey of Lubna – a present day activist and former victim of triple-talaq who makes personal sacrifices to continue her activism. The documentary also provides a behind the scene glimpse at the growing Indian Muslim women’s movement as it navigates between orthodox Muslim leadership and a polarized political environment in India.
Screening followed by Q&A with
Director Shazia Javed
and community activists:
Farheen Khan, Founder, Women's Mosque of Canada
Nuzhat Jafri, Executive Director, Canada Council of Muslim Women
Deepa Mattoo, Executive Director, Barbra Schlifer Clinic
Moderator: Emily-Jane Williams - Reelworld
FEATURE: When the Storm Fades
Director: Sean Devlin
Several years after the strongest storm in history, the Pablos have rebuilt their seaside home in Tacloban, one of the Philippines’ ‘poorest neighbourhood’. Their slow recovery is shaken up by two awkward Canadian volunteers planting trees in the community. This white couple is learning the difference between helping and actually being helpful. Part comedic fiction, part documentary re-enactment - the result is a satirical examination of the white saviour complex and a quiet meditation on grief in the era of climate change. The third microbudget feature film from Filipino- Canadian director Sean Devlin ? ??, an artist arrested numerous times by the Canadian government for his creative interventions on climate change. When The Storm Fades is a prefigurative production that continues to improve the economic quality of life for the storm survivors that star in the film. A story about our interconnected global responsibility, and resisting the urge to look away after natural disaster. The film is equal parts touching, emotional and hilarious.
Screening followed by Q&A with community activists:
Emmay Mah, Executive Director, Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA)
Kenneth Cardenas, Graduate Associate, York University Centre for Asian Research
Esther Lambert, Doctoral Candidate, Department of Geography & Planning at The University of Toronto
Moderator: Ammar Keshodia - Reelworld
---------------------------------
Info on the directors:
Shazia Javed is an award-winning Indo-Canadian filmmaker. Her docu-short Namrata was produced by the National Film Board of Canada and was a finalist for three Alberta Media Production Industry awards. Her short film, Can you hear me? won the first prize at Visual Arts Mississauga’s 39th Annual Juried Show of Fine Arts. She is also the winner of 2017 MARTY award hosted by Mississauga Arts Council. Shazia’s work has screened at international film festivals such as Hot Docs, DOXA, Global Visions, and Durban International among many others. Shazia has a MFA in Film from York University
Director Sean Devlin ? ?? is a Filipino-Canadian filmmaker and comedian. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Globe and Mail, CTV as well as online platforms like Buzzfeed and Upworthy. His first feature film Zach and Avery (2003) was a selection of the Paris/Berlin Rencontres Internationales for New Cinema and Contemporary Art and won “Best Comedy/Drama” at Illinois’ Black Earth Film Festival. In 2016 Devlin was commissioned by Cabaret Voltaire to participate in their celebrations of the 100 year anniversary of DaDa.

Asian Heritage Month--Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc., Social Services Network in partnership with Reelworld Film Festival present:

ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH FILM FESTIVAL
Impact Filmmaking: Exploring the Relationship between Art and Activism


Asian Heritage Month-Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc.
in partnership with Reelworld Film Festival (www.reelworld.ca)
Programmed by Tonya Williams, Executive and Creative Director, Reelworld Film Festival


Organizers: Asian Heritage Month--Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc., Social Services Network in partnership with Reelworld Film Festival Co-Organizers: Asian Heritage Month—Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc.; Reelworld Film Festival; Richard Charles Lee Canada Hong Kong Library, University of Toronto; Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairrs, University of Toronto; Social Services Network

Asian Heritage Month Festival is partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

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6. Asian Heritage Month Concert and Art Showcase of Asian Canadian Artists:

Unity in Diversity: Practising Asian Canadian Art within Western Context

FREE ADMISSION

Keynote Address and Performance:
Professor Chan Ka Nin, composer of IRON ROAD
Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Time: 7 PM -- PLEASE BE SEATED BY 6:45 PM
Venue: Innis Town Hall, University of Toronto, 2 Sussex Avenue, Toronto
Map at http://www.utoronto.ca/townhall/contact.html

Please register on Eventbrite: Click Here

Asian Heritage Month Concert May 2019
MC: Vania Chan
Welcome: Mr. Justin Poy, Honorary Patron, Asian Heritage Month-CFACI
Professor Leslie Sanders, University Professor, York University; co-lead of the Asian Canadian Artists in the Digital Age Project


Photo by Tam Kam Chiu, GMPSA (Grand Master of the Photographic Society of America), CCPST
I. Chinese Music
1. Yi Dance Improvisation ( Ethnic Folk music)
Wen Zhao, Pipa ?? Yi Wang, Xun ?

Video


Wen Zhao | Photo by Tam Kam Chiu, GMPSA (Grand Master of the Photographic Society of America), CCPST


Yi Wang | Photo by Tam Kam Chiu, GMPSA (Grand Master of the Photographic Society of America), CCPST

2. Farewell to Yangguan ( China Court music)
Yi Wang, Xun ? Di Zhan, Yangqin ??
Video


Photo by Tam Kam Chiu, GMPSA (Grand Master of the Photographic Society of America), CCPST
3. Crazy Dragon Dance (Northern China Folk music)
Wen Zhao, Pipa ??, Di Zhang, Yangqin ??, Yi Wang, Sheng ?


Video
II. Chinese Folk songs+
1. Chinese folk song “Give me a Rose” ???????
2. Youth Dance????

Video
3. Ocean Child Requiem by Alice Ho
Vania Chan, Soprano, Alice Ho, Piano

Video Part I |
Video Part II


Alice Ho | Photo by Tam Kam Chiu, GMPSA (Grand Master of the Photographic Society of America), CCPST


Vania Chan | Photo by Tam Kam Chiu, GMPSA (Grand Master of the Photographic Society of America), CCPST

III. Japanese Dance
1. Nagauta Omatsuri (The festival)
Sensui Kozakura, dancer

Video


Sensui Kozakura | Photo by Tam Kam Chiu, GMPSA (Grand Master of the Photographic Society of America), CCPST
2. Boukyo Jyonkara
Sumamiwa Kozakura, dancer


Sumamiwa Kozakura | Photo by Tam Kam Chiu, GMPSA (Grand Master of the Photographic Society of America), CCPST

**Speech by Ms. Emily Mo, Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office


Photo by Tam Kam Chiu, GMPSA (Grand Master of the Photographic Society of America), CCPST

IV. Award-Winning Asian Canadian Artists with roots from Hong Kong
An excerpt from Violin Concerto in E major by J. S. Bach
Chan Ka Nin, guitar Alice Ho, piano
with photographic images by Mr. Stephen Siu and Mr. Tam Kam Chiu

Video


Photo by Tam Kam Chiu, GMPSA (Grand Master of the Photographic Society of America), CCPST



V. Song Yeh-Pan Yüeh (Nocturne) ???by Chan Ka Nin
Chinese poem by Liu Yong?? (1034 AD)
Vania Chan, Soprano

Video Part I |
Video Part II



VI. "Bharathanatyam - Expression Beyond Words" | Indian Classical Dance
Karthiha Parthiban MFA, Artistic Director and Dance Instructor
Thakshikah Sritharan, Senior Artist, Performer
Myuran Thananjeyan, Vocalist
Keethan Vivek, Mridangam Player
Rampragash Saravanabavan, Violinist

Video Part I
Video Part II
Video Part III


Photo by Tam Kam Chiu, GMPSA (Grand Master of the Photographic Society of America), CCPST


Photo by Tam Kam Chiu, GMPSA (Grand Master of the Photographic Society of America), CCPST
Expressive movements conveying a variety of meaning and showing emotions through many unique hand gestures, postures and facial expressions.
Bharathantaym’s most powerful feature is its ability to express meaning and emotion, and to transmit a visual experience to the audience. This is a profound subject of which we’ll just touch the surface, by looking at two of its aspects. One is the art of Abhinaya, and the other is the blending of music and dance to express more than either could alone.
We will be portraying the major components of Bharatanatyam which include Nirutha – pure movements, Niruthyam – facial expressions with movements and Natyam – drama, with the accompaniment of live orchestra.

Co-organizers:
Asian Heritage Month—Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc.; Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, York University; Richard Charles Lee Canada Hong Kong Library; York Centre for Asian Research, York University; Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto; Social Services Network
Asian Heritage Month Festival is partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council,, and supported by Toronto Arts Council with funding from the City of Toronto

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7. Unity in Diversity Artists Workshop at Toronto Catholic District School Board

Co-Organizers: Asian Heritage Month—Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc.; Chinese Canadian Photography Society of Toronto; WE Artists' Group; Social Services Network
Asian Heritage Month Festival is partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and supported by Toronto Arts Council with funding from the City of Toronto

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8. Unity in Diversity Artists Workshop at Toronto District School Board

Co-Organizers: Asian Heritage Month-Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc.; Chinese Canadian Photography Society of Toronto; WE Artists' Group; Social Services Network
Asian Heritage Month Festival is partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and supported by Toronto Arts Council with funding from the City of Toronto

List of Supporters of Asian Heritage Month 2019

Canada 150 Activities showcasing the works from the school workshops are sponsored by Canadian Heritage Canada 150 Fund and York University Canada 150 Fund

Canadian Heritage Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program
Canadian Heritage Inter-Action: Multiculturalism Funding Program Canadian Heritage Canada 150 Program through York University
Toronto Arts Council with funding from the City of Toronto
Canada Council for the Arts Digital Strategy Fund

Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto
Cambridge Food and Wine Society
Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture
Cheng Yu Tung East Asian Library, University of Toronto
Chi Ping Dance Group
Chinese Canadian Photographic Association of Toronto
Chinese Collective Arts Association
City of Toronto
Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, York University
Justin Poy Agency
Moon Pointer Production Inc.
Reel Asian Film Festival
ReelWorld Film Festival
Richard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong Library
Toronto Arts Council Toronto Catholic District School Board
Toronto District School Board
Toronto Public Library
WE Artists Association
York Centre for Asian Research, York University
York Centre for Education and Community, York University
York Region District School Board

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