Virtual Asian Heritage Month Festival 2021

Sunday May 16, 2021 | 2 PM

From Realism to Artistic Impression: A Virtual Group Photo Exhibition by Chinese Canadian Photographic Society of Toronto Members OPENING REMARKS: Mr. Justin Poy, Honorary Patron, Asian Heritage Month-CFACI
FREE ADMISSION: Please register here
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86919986892?pwd=MnhlRHFMSjV5L2ExUVBkSzk4WEN6QT09
Event Poster with bios

Chinese Canadian Photographic Society of Toronto, established in 1976, is a non-profit organization with 130 current members. Our mission is to explore the art of photography as our expressions to support multiculturalism. Our members participate in professional activities and events to make their contributions to society.
The group exhibition showcases 53 members’ photos selected from various club competitions in the past 10 years. The virtual group exhibition is divided into 4 parts. Part 1-3, present photographic realism (wild life and street scenes) and artistic impression (special artistic effect photography and night scene photography). Part 4 entitled Kensington Market, playing seamlessly as an engaging video, in fact, were photos contributed by a group of photographers. Digital editor Philip Chan infused passion, rhythm and music into the still photos to transform Toronto’s old landmark location for immigrants into a lively colourful community for all in the 21st century.
The virtual presentation also includes photographers briefly sharing their creative vision and key techniques used in the award-winning photos. There will be two Q&A for the audience to participate.

Co-Organizers: Chinese Canadian Photographic Society of Toronto; Asian Heritage Month—Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc.; Toronto Public Library; York Centre for Asian Research, York University; Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto; York University; Richard Charles Lee Canada Hong Kong Library, University of Toronto; Chinese Canadian Photography Society of Toronto; WE Artists' Group; Social Services Network; Cambridge Food and Wine Society; Fête Chinoise
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

Monday May 17, 2021 | 7 PM

Asian Heritage Month Events at Toronto Public Library: "Asian Canadian Resilience and Entrepreneurship"
Moderator Jasmine Chen with panelists: Writer/Director/Musician Romeo Candido, Choreographer/OAYSIS Studios Founder Ming-Bo Lam, and Artistic Leader/Theatre Artist Miriam Fernandes OPENING REMARKS: Mr. Justin Poy, Honorary Patron, Asian Heritage Month-CFACI
FREE ADMISSION: Please register here
Event Poster with bios

In this lively one hour event, a panel of celebrated cultural leaders and award winning artists come together to discuss how they've navigated and succeeded in the world of performing arts. Moderator Jasmine Chen will be asking Writer/Director/Musician Romeo Candido, Choreographer/OAYSIS Studios Founder Ming-Bo Lam, and Artistic Leader/Theatre Artist Miriam Fernandes about their journeys in building their own platforms and amplifying the voices of their communities. They will share their insights and experiences in how resilience has enabled them to adapt, particularly during the pandemic, which has threatened the survival of the performing arts industry.

Panelists: Ming-Bo Lam is known, first and foremost, for her love of dance and ability to share that passion with all whom she encounters. Her choreography is rooted in her classical foundations and guided by strong internal dialogue and emotional undertones. Lam graduated with an Honours BFA in Theatre Performance Dance, from Ryerson University, as Valedictorian. Since graduating, she has crossed the line between classical dance genres and the commercial industry, choreographing for theatre productions (SeXT: Sex Education by Theatre; Mixie and the Halfbreeds, produced by fu-GEN Theatre Company) and independent dance projects and commissions. Select performance credits include the Much Music Video Awards, the Toronto Raptors’ Dance Pak, The Umbrella Academy, Sogand, PSY, and the NBA All Star Weekend 2016. Currently, Lam works as a freelance dancer, choreographer, adjudicator, and educator. She is also the co-founder of OAYSIS Studios: holistic movement lifestyle, offering online classes in dance, yoga, fitness, and mindful movement.
Miriam Fernandes is a Toronto-based artist who has worked as an actor, director, and theatre-maker around the world. She is the co-Artistic Director of Why Not Theatre. Acting credits include Jungle Book (WYRD/Kidoons), Animal Farm (Soulpepper Theatre), Prince Hamlet (Why Not Theatre), Dinner with the Gods (Wolf and Wallflower, Sydney AU), The Snow Queen and A Sunday Affair (Theatre New Brunswick), The Living (Summerworks Performance Festival), and Soliciting Temptation (Tarragon Theatre). She has trained with the SITI Company, and is a graduate of Ecole Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris. Directing and creation credits include Nesen, (MiniMidiMaxi Festival, Norway) The First Time I Saw the Sea (YVA Company, Norway). She is currently in development for a few new pieces that she is co-creating including an adaptation of the Mahabharata, Three Pigs, and a new play called Partition. Miriam is the recipient of the JBC Watkins Award and was nominated for the inaugural Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize.
Romeo Candido is a dynamic multi-disciplinary Filipino Canadian award winning story teller with experience in narrative and factual storytelling for film, television, advertising, theatre and digital platforms. His horror film ANG PAMANA : THE INHERITANCE played in theatres across the Philippines and won Best Feature at the Winnipeg International Film Festival. His award winning transmedia project PRISON DANCER: THE MUSICAL, based on the Dancing Inmates of Cebu, is the recipient of the National Creation Fund and is being developed as a stage musical with the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton. Romeo is the winner of the Bell Media / WGC diverse screenwriter program and was invited to be a story coordinator for season two of KIM’S CONVENIENCE. Romeo made his Netflix debut as a writer for both seasons of the sci fi thriller ANOTHER LIFE. He made his comedy television directing debut as the series director of the CSA nominated comedy SECOND JEN. His musical comedy drama TOPLINE is currently in pre-production and slated to shoot in the spring with Shaftesbury for CBC. A proud member of the Filipino Canadian community, Romeo has been instrumental in bringing to light the Filipino experience either as the Senior Producer of CBC Arts or his over twenty years of mentoring, collaborating, and documenting his community.
Jasmine Chen is a second-generation Chinese immigrant artist based in T’karonto (Dish with One Spoon Territory) and the unceded Coast Salish Territories (colonially known as Vancouver). Her work has engaged with communities across Turtle Island, including The Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, The Arts Club, Prairie Theatre Exchange, fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre, Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre, 4th Line Theatre, Cahoots Theatre, and Canadian Stage. At the core of her work is her dedication to community building, storytelling, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her interest in multilingual creation, audience interactivity, social justice, and diasporic narratives often drive her artistic practice. Jasmine is a performer, director, arts educator, producer, writer, and creator. She is a recipient of the Gina Wilkinson Award, Stratford Festival Jean Gascon Award, the Toronto Harold Award, and is a Dora Award nominee. Her work has been featured in CBC Arts, NOW Magazine, Toronto Star, Vancouver Sun, Intermission Magazine, and Fete Chinoise Magazine. Jasmine is the Artistic and Community Producer at Gateway Theatre in Richmond, BC.

Co-Organizers: Asian Heritage Month—Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc.; Toronto Public Library; York Centre for Asian Research, York University; Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto; York University; Richard Charles Lee Canada Hong Kong Library, University of Toronto; Chinese Canadian Photography Society of Toronto; WE Artists' Group; Social Services Network; Cambridge Food and Wine Society; Fête Chinoise
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

Tuesday May 18, 2021| 9:30 AM
Tuesday May 18, 2021 | 9:30 AM
Asian Heritage Month Education Roundtable at Toronto Catholic District School Board
To be held on Toronto Catholic District School Board Zoom Platform
FREE ADMISSION: Registrations for Schools only
Event Poster with bios

OPENING REMARKS: Mr. Justin Poy, Honorary Patron, Asian Heritage Month-CFACI
i) “Arts and Artificial Intelligence in TCDSB” led by Vicki McRae and Jodelyn Huang
We will feature the “Arts and Artificial Intelligence” project funded by Canadian Heritage CSMARI Project Grant. This is a project collaborating with TCDSB, TDSB, York University and IBM, spanning right across the pandemic, and miraculously became very useful as schools went virtual. It is raising awareness through identifying the cultural messages behind colours using a custom-made IBM visual colour recognition app (doing Asian Canadian, Indigenous and Black communities), and asking students to paint with this newly acquired cultural awareness.
ii) "Asian Canadian Resilience and Entrepreneurship"
A panel of celebrated cultural leaders and award winning artists come together to discuss how they've navigated and succeeded in the world of performing arts. Moderator Miquelon Rodriguez will be asking Writer/Director/Musician Romeo Candido, Choreographer/OAYSIS Studios Founder Ming-Bo Lam, and Artistic Leader/Theatre Artist Miriam Fernandes about their journeys in building their own platforms and amplifying the voices of their communities. They will share their insights and experiences in how resilience has enabled them to adapt, particularly during the pandemic, which has threatened the survival of the performing arts industry.
Miriam Fernandes is a Toronto-based artist who has worked as an actor, director, and theatre-maker around the world. She is the co-Artistic Director of Why Not Theatre. Acting credits include Jungle Book (WYRD/Kidoons), Animal Farm (Soulpepper Theatre), Prince Hamlet (Why Not Theatre), Dinner with the Gods (Wolf and Wallflower, Sydney AU), The Snow Queen and A Sunday Affair (Theatre New Brunswick), The Living (Summerworks Performance Festival), and Soliciting Temptation (Tarragon Theatre). She has trained with the SITI Company, and is a graduate of Ecole Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris. Directing and creation credits include Nesen, (MiniMidiMaxi Festival, Norway) The First Time I Saw the Sea (YVA Company, Norway). She is currently in development for a few new pieces that she is co-creating including an adaptation of the Mahabharata, Three Pigs, and a new play called Partition. Miriam is the recipient of the JBC Watkins Award and was nominated for the inaugural Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize.
Romeo Candido is a dynamic multi-disciplinary Filipino Canadian award winning story teller with experience in narrative and factual storytelling for film, television, advertising, theatre and digital platforms. His horror film ANG PAMANA : THE INHERITANCE played in theatres across the Philippines and won Best Feature at the Winnipeg International Film Festival. His award winning transmedia project PRISON DANCER: THE MUSICAL, based on the Dancing Inmates of Cebu, is the recipient of the National Creation Fund and is being developed as a stage musical with the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton. Romeo is the winner of the Bell Media / WGC diverse screenwriter program and was invited to be a story coordinator for season two of KIM’S CONVENIENCE. Romeo made his Netflix debut as a writer for both seasons of the sci fi thriller ANOTHER LIFE. He made his comedy television directing debut as the series director of the CSA nominated comedy SECOND JEN. His musical comedy drama TOPLINE is currently in pre-production and slated to shoot in the spring with Shaftesbury for CBC. A proud member of the Filipino Canadian community, Romeo has been instrumental in bringing to light the Filipino experience either as the Senior Producer of CBC Arts or his over twenty years of mentoring, collaborating, and documenting his community.
Ming-Bo Lamis known, first and foremost, for her love of dance and ability to share that passion with all whom she encounters. Her choreography is rooted in her classical foundations and guided by strong internal dialogue and emotional undertones. Lam graduated with an Honours BFA in Theatre Performance Dance, from Ryerson University, as Valedictorian. Since graduating, she has crossed the line between classical dance genres and the commercial industry, choreographing for theatre productions (SeXT: Sex Education by Theatre; Mixie and the Halfbreeds, produced by fu-GEN Theatre Company) and independent dance projects and commissions. Select performance credits include the Much Music Video Awards, the Toronto Raptors’ Dance Pak, The Umbrella Academy, Sogand, PSY, and the NBA All Star Weekend 2016. Currently, Lam works as a freelance dancer, choreographer, adjudicator, and educator. She is also the co-founder of OAYSIS Studios: holistic movement lifestyle, offering online classes in dance, yoga, fitness, and mindful movement.
Miquelon Rodriguez is a sound designer, editor, and mixer; music composer; digital content creator; actor; and an emerging arts leader based in Toronto. He was the Apprentice Artistic Director at Factory Theatre from 2017- 2019, under the mentorship of Nina Lee Aquino, and co-curated Pan-Asian works over two seasons at Soulpepper Theatre Company. He is currently an Artistic Leadership Resident with the National Theatre School of Canada and has worked as a sound designer/composer with a multitude of artists and companies in different provinces across Turtle Island.

Co-Organizers: Toronto Catholic District School Board; Asian Heritage Month—Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc.; Toronto Public Library; York Centre for Asian Research, York University; Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto; York University; Richard Charles Lee Canada Hong Kong Library, University of Toronto; Chinese Canadian Photography Society of Toronto; WE Artists' Group; Social Services Network; Cambridge Food and Wine Society; Fête Chinoise
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

Wednesday May 26, 2021 | 7 PM
Wednesday May 26, 2021 | 7 PM
Asian Heritage Month Events at Toronto Public Library: "Once Upon a Time in Chinatown"
Presenter: Professor Chef Leo Chan
FREE ADMISSION: Please register here
Event Poster with bios

OPENING REMARKS: Mr. Justin Poy, Honorary Patron, Asian Heritage Month-CFACI

Toronto not only has some of the most diverse cultures and food in the world, its Chinese community itself is one of the most diverse outside of China, representing many dialects and regions of Mainland China , each with their own distinct approach to cuisine. In this special Asian Heritage Month presentation, celebrated Chef and Professor, Leo Chan, will tell the story of how Chinese food in Toronto became so complex and varied. Starting with Sing Tom's Cafe (founded: 1901), Toronto's first Chinese eatery at the intersection of Bay and Queen to the change in tastes and fashion in favour of smaller diners and Chop Suey houses with limited seating. Finally to the “First Golden Era” when the opening of Nanking in 1947 and Lichee Garden in 1948 changed the profile of Chinese restaurants and was the turning point in the history of Chinese dining. They were the first two of the 'Big Four' upscale restaurants. The other two were Sai Woo opened in 1953 and Kwong Chow in 1959. This period revolutionized Chinese cuisine in Canada. Dedicated to the thousands of ordinary men and women working in the food industry in Toronto, Professor Chan walks us through the history of Chinese influence on key parts of Canada’s largest city when regional cuisines of China became more readily accessible, available and mainstream. About this event’s guest: Leo Chan

Co-Organizers: Toronto Public Library; Asian Heritage Month—Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc.; Toronto Public Library; York Centre for Asian Research, York University; Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto; York University; Richard Charles Lee Canada Hong Kong Library, University of Toronto; Chinese Canadian Photography Society of Toronto; WE Artists' Group; Social Services Network; Cambridge Food and Wine Society; Fête Chinoise
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

Sunday May 30, 2021 | 2 PM
Energy of Stillness: A Multimedia Virtual Presentation of Taiji Brushwork, Painting, Video, Poetry, and Meditation
Artists:
Henry Ho: Award-winning visual artist, Taiji calligrapher, videographer, and digital editor
Lien Chao: Award-winning author, writer, bilingual poet, and inter-art artist
Ashley Bruce Poy: Meditative artist, performer and emerging poet

FREE ADMISSION: Please register here
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82886506485?pwd=ZHFFWHB6TzFodVNHc21qREo0bHowZz09
Event Poster with bios

Co-Organizers: Asian Heritage Month—Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc.; Toronto Public Library; York Centre for Asian Research, York University; Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto; York University; Richard Charles Lee Canada Hong Kong Library, University of Toronto; Chinese Canadian Photography Society of Toronto; WE Artists' Group; Social Services Network; Cambridge Food and Wine Society; Fête Chinoise
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

Date and time tbc
Asian Heritage Month Virtual Concert
Artistic Directors: Professor Chan Ka Nin, Alice Ho

FREE ADMISSION: Access concert here
Event Poster with bios

OPENING REMARKS: Mr. Justin Poy, Honorary Patron, Asian Heritage Month-CFACI

Tentative Program

I.Flying on a Drum (⿎上⻜舞), a paigu solo
Bobby Ho, 何松聲, Percussion
Pandemic Reflection 1*

II. Chinese Ensemble
Patty Chan, Erhu and others
Pandemic Reflection 2*

III. Two Japanese Folk Songs
Stephanie Nakagawa, Soprano
Pandemic Reflection 3*

IV. Korean Ensemble
John Lee, Director and others
Pandemic Reflection 4*

V. Rising Warrior
Amely Zhou 周嘉麗 (⼆胡) Erhu
Wendy Zhou 周晚濛 (琵琶) Pipa
Ken Yang 杨晓赓 (鋼琴) Piano/Keyboard
Jaimie Chan 陳祖慧 (⼤提琴)Cello
Perry Ho 何柏蔚 (⼩提琴) Violin
William Tran 陳家俊 (架⼦⿎) Drum Set
Lipeng Wu 吴⽴鹏 (笛⼦) Dizi
Pandemic Reflection 5*

VI. Philippine Folk Music
Renee Michaela Fajardo, alto
Pandemic Reflection 6*

VII. Korean Music
Sharon Lee, violin and others
Pandemic Reflection 7*

VIII. Flying Dragon, Leaping Tiger (⿓騰⻁躍), a drum concerto
Bobby Ho, 何松聲, Percussion and others

* Poetry/photos: Lien Chao, Tam Kam Chiu, and others

Co-Organizers: Asian Heritage Month—Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc.; Toronto Public Library; York Centre for Asian Research, York University; Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto; York University; Richard Charles Lee Canada Hong Kong Library, University of Toronto; Chinese Canadian Photography Society of Toronto; WE Artists' Group; Social Services Network; Cambridge Food and Wine Society; Fête Chinoise
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

Date and Time tbc
Asian Heritage Month Film Festival held in collaboration with Reelworld Film Festival

FREE ADMISSION: Please register here
ACCESS VIRTUAL EVENT AT https://__________
Event Poster with bios

May 2021
Asian Canadian Art Workshops at School Boards
Led by Dr. Lien Chao and Irene Hung
FREE ADMISSION: For Schools Only

Ongoing
Title of Presentation: "Positive Thinking" video with seniors
Activities in collaboration with Social Services Network

FREE ADMISSION on Social Services Network Virtual Platform

The video was integrated into Social Services Network’s relaxation and mindfulness activities, including virtual programs that was supporting up to 70 seniors daily.

Co-Organizers: Asian Heritage Month—Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc.; Toronto Public Library; York Centre for Asian Research, York University; Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto; York University; Richard Charles Lee Canada Hong Kong Library, University of Toronto; Chinese Canadian Photography Society of Toronto; WE Artists' Group; Social Services Network; Cambridge Food and Wine Society; Fête Chinoise
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

List of Supporters of Asian Heritage Month

Main Partner: Toronto Public Library

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
Canada Council for the Arts Digital Strategy Fund

Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, 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
Fête Chinoise
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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