CELEBRATE 2005 ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH
Ottawa, April 19, 2005 - Accounting for nearly half of all visible minorities, Asians are the
largest and fastest growing ethnic group in Canada. This year, as in the past, the local Asian
community is excited to share their vibrant arts and traditions with all of Ottawa.
In partnership with embassies, key cultural groups, and local and national organizations the
Ottawa Asian Heritage Month Society (OAHMS) proudly presents a month-long showcase
celebrating diverse Asian cultures through events highlighting their past, present and
collective futures.
From April 27 to May 31 the OAHMS offers a dynamic array of activities including the return
of last year’s enormously popular Pan-Asian Gala Concert
Christ Church Cathedral
420 Sparks Street
Saturday, May 14th
7:30 – 9:30 PM
Hosted by CJOH-TV broadcaster Anna-Karina Tabunar, this year’s concert features
performances by:  5 year old violinists
 countertenor D. Kai Ma
 Ota-wa Taiko Japanese drummers
 Indonesian Kolintang musical group, and
 Vibrant displays of traditional dances
Savour the exotic flavours of Malaysian cooking. Examine the intricacies of Iranian art. Watch
thought-provoking Chinese and Muslim films. The OAHMS invites you to travel throughout
Asia without expensive airfares or jet lag!
In 2002, the Government of Canada designated May as Asian Heritage Month recognizing
the long, rich history of Asians and their contributions to Canada and the world. Thanks to the
kind and generous support of its Event Partners and Sponsors most OAHMS activities are
free of charge. Please refer to the attachment for the list of Event Partners and a detailed
schedule of events or visit www.asianheritagemonth.net.
For more information contact:
Monica Wu, AHM Organizing Committee Chair
Phone: (613) 596-5592
E-mail: Ottawa@asianheritagemonth.net
Ottawa Asian Heritage Month Society 2005 Calendar of Events
Wednesday April 27 Dance Theatre ON
7:30 pm
Centrepointe Theatre. 101 Centrepointe Dr. (613) 580-2700. 1866-752-5231
ADMISSION: FREE
A Korean Contemporary Dance Company. Performances use a
SOLD OUT
unique blend of movements inspired by classical ballet, modern
dance and the Zen movement.
Embassy of the Republic of Korea /Centrepointe Theatre/ OAHMS
Thursday May 5
7:30 - 9:00 am
By invitation only
Era 21 Networking Breakfast for Young Canadians.
Parliamentary Restaurant, Parliament Hill.
Hosted by Honorary Patron Senator Poy, with a welcome by the
Minister of Multiculturalism, Raymond Chan, this event will bring
together a diverse group of high school students with
Parliamentarians and leading community members to take part in a
seminar on self-motivation, networking, leadership and cultural
fluency in Canada's multicultural heritage. About 100 young
Canadians in Grades 11 and 12 will attend, with those of Asian,
African and First Nations heritage, inviting a peer who is not of their
own ethno-cultural community, to attend this inclusive Asian
Heritage Month event.
OAHMS / J’Nikira Dinqinesh Education Centre, Ottawa.
6:00 - 9:00 pm
ADMISSION: FREE
Video screening: Mr & Mrs Iyer
Ottawa Main Library, 120 Metcalfe Street.
This profound film explores compassion and intricately juxtaposed
emotions set amidst tension among religious communities in India.
Reception and movie discussion.
MILAN (Network of young professionals of South Asian descent in
Ottawa)/ Ottawa Main Library / OAHMS
Saturday May 7
1:30 – 4:00 pm
ADMISSION: FREE
Video screening: Canadian Steel, Chinese Grit (in Mandarin)
Ottawa Main Library.
A powerful film about the heroic efforts of thousands of Chinese
railway workers in completing the transcontinental railway between
Calgary and Vancouver.
Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNC) / Ottawa Main Library /
OAHMS
Wednesday May 11
4:30 – 7:00 pm
ADMISSION:
Invitation or advance
reservation. Call:
(613) 841-7517
Taste of Asia Festival Launch - Press Conference:
Performances & Reception.
Parliament Hill, Room 200 West Block.
A culinary and cultural event to launch the 3 rd annual Festival in
Markham.
APMC / Federation of Chinese Canadians of Markham / OAHMS
Thursday May 12
7:00 pm
ADMISSION: $10
Sponsor ticket $30
RSVP (613) 261-0493
by May 6
Film screening: Song of the Exile
Auditorium, Library and Archives Canada (LAC), 395
Wellington Street.
A documentary film on Chinese restaurants in Israel, South Africa
and Turkey. Meet the film producer/director, Mr. Cheuk Kwan. All
proceeds go to the Glebe Centre for Seniors.
CCNC / OAHMS / LAC
Saturday, May 14
7:30 - 9:30 pm
ADMISSION:
Adult
$15
Under 12 $10
TICKET SALES:
Cathedral Arts box
office (613) 567-1787
or
www.cathedralarts.co
m/ticketform.htm.
The share of Ottawa
Asian Heritage Month
Society proceeds will
be donated to the
Tsunami
Reconstruction Fund.
Gala Concert
Christ Church Cathedral, 420 Sparks St.
Enjoy an evening of Asian Canadian professional and community
artists! This artistic event will feature Zhi Xu, a Montreal violinist
accompanied by his pupils ranging from 5 to 18 years old, the
Himig Pilipino Choral Ensemble, an Indonesian Kolintang
Group (consisting of traditional Indonesian musicians) and D. Kai
Ma, an Ottawa-based countertenor. The Gala Concert also features
a performance by the Ottawa Taiko Japanese drummers, a
Korean Samul-Nori, Yadong Guan (an internationally recognized
Chinese Pipa player) and a classical Indian musical ensemble.
Finally, as a participant at the Gala Concert, you will surely be
transported to the various regions of Asia through the folkdances
showcased this evening: India, Cambodia, Nepal and Korea. Come
travel with us!
OAHMS / Cathedral Arts
HOST: Anna-Karina Tabunar (CJOH-TV Senior News Reporter)
Monday May 16
6:00 - 9:00 pm
ADMISSION: FREE
Video screening: Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha, Muslim Festival
celebrations
Ottawa Main Library.
These videos portray Eid-ul-Fitr, celebrated at the end of the month
of fasting, "Ramadan", held at Queen's Park in Toronto and Eid-ulAdha, celebrated after "Hajj" the pilgrimage to Mecca, at Parliament
Hill in Ottawa.
APMC / Ottawa Main Library / OAHMS
Tuesday May 17
6:00 - 9:00 pm
ADMISSION: FREE
An evening with Ottawa-based Canadian writers of Asian
origin.
Ottawa Main Library.
Local literary favourites Asoka Weerasinghe, Cyril Dabydeen,
Bing He, Raywat Deonandan, Dr. Shakir Sheikh and other writers
read passages from their novels, essays and poems.
APMC/MILAN/Ottawa Main Library /OAHMS
Thursday May 19
6:00 – 9:00 pm
ADMISSION: FREE
Video screening: No Distance Between Us
Ottawa Main Library.
An educational film to make Muslims and Islam better understood
and to foster tolerance and harmony in a culturally diverse society.
Art exhibition: Embassy of Iran.
Reception will follow.
Embassy of Iran/ APMC / Ottawa Main Library / OAHMS
Saturday May 21
1:00 – 4:00 pm
ADMISSION: FREE
Asian Etiquette Workshop
Cascade Lounge, Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC).
Discover rituals associated with business etiquettes and social
customs in Asia. Free with Museum Admission.
OAHMS / CMC
Tuesday May 24
7:30 pm
ADMISSION: Free
Call (819) 776-7000
Kathak - Context & Continuity.
Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC)
Ottawa-based choreographer and dancer Anjali Patil collaborates
with India's leading dance scholar Dr. Sunil Kothari to present a
multimedia performance on the evolution of the Kathak dance
during India's socio-political transformations.
CMC
Wednesday May 25
7:00 pm
ADMISSION: FREE
Film Screening: Please Teach Me English (English subtitles)
Alumni Auditorium, University of Ottawa.
A film about love and learning languages.
Korean Culture & Information Service
Thursday May 26
6:00 – 9:00 pm
ADMISSION: FREE
Video Screening: A Glimpse of India and Bollywood
Ottawa Main Library.
Refreshments provided by Ishina.
High Commission of India / Indian Community / Ottawa Main
Library / OAHMS
Monday May 30
7:00 pm
Writing Competition Award Night
Broken English Theatre Auditorium, LAC.
Multicultural stories and poems from first generation Canadians
(adults and teens) in the National Capital Region. 2005 Theme:
Baggage, a reflection on the perception of life in Canada.
Broken English Theatre / Community Foundation of Ottawa / LAC
ADMISSION: FREE
What's Cooking?
Noon - 1 pm.
The Real Canadian Superstore (RCS)
190 Richmond Road, Westboro
 Free classes
 Advance registration required.
 Call 1-800- 296-2332 or RCS customer
service desk
Asian Cuisines:
Indonesian
Tuesday, May 3
Indian
Tuesday, May 10
Indonesian
Tuesday, May 17
Chinese Malaysian Tuesday, May 24
Indian
Tuesday, May 31
Ottawa Asian Heritage Month Society (OAHMS)
/ RCS
Canadian Tulip Festival
International Friendship Village, Major's
Hill Park
Asian Cultures. Dance, Music, Artifacts,
Costumes.
Bangladesh, Iran, and Pakistan: Friday, May
20. 10am - 3pm
India: Friday, May 20. 3 - 8 pm
Korea: Saturday, May 21. 10 am - 8 pm
Indonesia: Sunday, May 22. 10 am - 8 pm
Nepal: Monday, May 23. 10 am - 8 pm
Association of Progressive Muslims of
Canada (APMC) / High Commission of
Bangladesh / High Commission of India /
Embassy of Indonesia /Indian
Community/ Korean Community/
Nepalese Canadian Association/ OAHMS