Welcome to GungHaggisFatChoy.com
Home to my passions for my inter-cultural adventures,
Gung Haggis Fat Choy: Robbie Burns
Chinese New Year Dinner event.
Save Kogawa House campaign,
Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dragon Boat team,
Find what you are looking for by
1) scroll the topics links,
2) use the search function
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Join the
Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dragon Boat team
for lots of summer fun, fitness and friendship. We are a social team full of cultural vigor, that likes to eat.
We have been featured on television, local, national and international. We have a unique and internationally famous fundraiser dinner event.
We practice
Sunday 1:30 pm -3:30 pm
Tuesday 6pm-7:45pm
Wednesday 6pm - 7:45 pm
We meet at Dragon Zone clubhouse - just south of Science World in Creekside Park above the Aquabus and dragon boat docks.
Our coach Todd Wong has 15+ years of experience including novice, recreational and competitive levels, and both community and corporate teams.
Our 2005 Season brought us the David Lam Award for being the team that best represented the multicultural spirit of the Alcan Dragon Boat Festival, and Bronze medals at the Vancouver International Taiwanese Dragon Boat Race. In 2007, we won Gold in B Division at Vernon Races.
For more information:
Click on
Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dragon Boat team information
phone: 604-987-7124-
e-mail: gunghaggis at yahoo dot ca
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2009 TICKETS Available in October 2008
WHAT: GUNG HAGGIS FAT CHOY: Toddish McWong's Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner - 12th Annual Dinner, celebrating 250th Anniversary of Robert Burns' birth + Chinese New Year's Eve.
WHEN:
6PM January 25 2009, SUNDAY
doors open 5pm
WHERE: Floata Chinese Restaurant,
#400-180 Keefer St.
CULTURE:
Our Performers
create something special for us every year with traditional and contemporary performances featuring everything in-between and beyond!
FOOD: A quirky fusion/mix/buffet of
Scottish Canadian and Chinese Canadian culture 10 course Chinese banguet dinner
2004 - The debut of Gung Haggis Won-Ton
2005 - Haggis lettuce wrap!
2007 - Haggis dim sum appetizer buffet
2008 - Scotch tastings!
Watch for more surprises in 2008!
Description of 2006 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dinner featuring performers: Rick Scott & Harry Wong, The Shirleys, Joe McDonald & Brave Waves, Sean Gunn, author Joy Kogawa, with co-host Prem Gill .
Media Inquiries
Call Gung Haggis Productions 604-987-7124
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Wednesday, November 30
St. Andrew's Day - Gung Haggis Fat Choy style
by
Todd
on Wed 30 Nov 2005 11:58 PM PST
St. Andrew's Day - Gung Haggis Fat Choy style
St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. St Andrew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples and
he lived and worked as a fisherman in Galilee. He was the brother of Peter,
another of Christ's disciples.
A few days ago... Maggie Shiels of the BBC Radio Scotland program "Scotland Licked"
asked me if I had any plans for St. Andrew's Day. I had to
confess that I hadn't thought about it. But I promised I would
celebrate now that she had brought it up.
So... how did Toddish McWong celebrated St. Andrew's Day? By
forgetting to wear my kilt - but with the freezing temperatures and
yesterday's snowfall still hanging around the upper elevations, I
didn't dare.
St. Andrew was a fisherman, so for dinner I ate fish. Well actually it was sushi, and it was during a meeting for the Save Kogawa House committee. Next I went to see the musical show celebrating the music and dance of South Africa, called Umoja,
"the spirit of togetherness." Amazing! Filled with incredible
songs, drums, music and dance... I will write my review later.
The most important thing I did on St. Andrew's Day was go to my favorite drinking establishment in Vancouver - Doolin's Irish Pub,
where we celebrate "Kilts Night" on the first Saturday of each month.
My buddy Rod and his brother Rick were my drinking partners as we
celebrated with Guinness. We had the Irish Nachos made with
potato chips... covered with cheese, sour cream, onions, diced
tomatoes...
Doolin's is fun - the waitresses all wear short plaid skirts, and I
recieved greetings from Evan the manager, Christine Van, the promotions
manager, and Jenny our waitress.
 Bear,Me, Dallas and Raphael at Kilts Night
Vancouver really doesn't celebrate St. Andrew's Day. There's a mention in the Georgia Straight
by Jurgen Goethe about a limited release Scottish Ale by Granville
Island Breweries. A few of the local Scottish societies are
having St. Andrew's Day dinners. But nobody's invited me
yet. Maybe they're afraid I might bring my accordion.
It was way back in 1955 on St. Andrew's Day in 1955,
21 Scottish Canadians groups finally opened the United Scottish
Cultural Centre
at Fir and 12th Avenue in Vancouver. (In July, 1986, the centre would
move into a new home at 8886 Hudson in Marpole.) Apparently there
was a party there on Nov 26th, Saturday Night - but nobody told
me.
 - Joe McDonald on flute
Mad Celts was providing the entertainment - and Joe McDonald band leader is my regular piper for Gung Haggis Fat Choy.... and he didn't tell me!
Tuesday, November 29
Toddish McWong on BBC Radio Scotland: Check it out on-line
by
Todd
on Tue 29 Nov 2005 01:52 PM PST
Toddish McWong on BBC Radio Scotland -
Check it out on-line
"Toddish McWong" or in Canadian, Todd Wong, is featured on BBC Radio Scotland on the radio Scotland website.
Just click on programs - go to "Scotland Licked" - then wait awhile
until you hear the voice of host Maggie Shiels. Listen to the
introductions where she talks about finding me in Canada - then click
on the 15 minute fast forward button. I will be heard very very soon....
The interview explores the origins of my Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year dinner event, and the haggis-Chinese fusion food that we have created for it.
Friday, November 25
Sexy Black Men: a Vancouver guide to loving women and learning to love themselves
by
Todd
on Fri 25 Nov 2005 11:57 PM PST
A Common Man's Guide to Loving Women
Firehall Arts Centre
November 11 to December 3, 2005
written by Andre Moodie
directed by Denis Simpson
starring Awaovieyi Agie, Kwesi Ameyaw, Peter John Prinsloo and Hayden Thomas
Where can you find four sexy black men, who are hip, urbane, and live in Vancouver's trendy Yaletown neighborhood? Well... believe it or not - at the Firehall Arts Centre on the corner of Cordova St. and Gore St. in the Downtown Lower Eastside.
Denis Simpson directs the Andrew Moodie play "A Common Man's Guide to Loving Women. Set designer Derek Butt has created a beautiful urbane condominium that every person would want to live in. A wide screen tv with a kick-ass sound system, complimented by a very cool dining set complete with clear acrylic chess set. This is not some "gangsta crib in the 'hood." more »
Wednesday, November 23
Toddish McWong on BBC Radio Scotland - next Monday Nov 28th - Scottish Time
by
Todd
on Wed 23 Nov 2005 02:06 PM PST
Toddish McWong on BBC Radio Scotland - next Monday Nov 28th - Scottish Time
"Toddish McWong" or in Canadian, Todd Wong, will be featured onto BBC Radio Scotland on Monday - Nov 28th (11.30 am
Scottish time) or 3:30am PST if you are in Vancouver BC.. However, you can go to
the listen again option on the radio Scotland website.
The interview explores the origins of my Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year dinner event, and the haggis-Chinese fusion food that we have created for it.
Darn.... but I forgot to tell
Maggie that we mix bamboo shoots and water chestnuts in with the haggis for
the won ton and the spring rolls. Makes it good and crunchy.
mmmmm..... crunch crunch - good!
And we mix in maple syrup to the sweet and
sour sauce. Sometimes a bit a Drambuie or scotch too.
My friends
always get asked by the media if the haggis is any good. My Grand-Uncle
called it "dandy" - and we always point out that tripe and chicken's feet are
always part of Chinese "dim sum" lunch. "Dim Sum" actually means "little bit of heart", "touch the heart", or "close to the heart" - so the idea of eating Sheep's
organs mixed with oatmeal is not such a revolting idea to regular Chinese food
dinners.
My girlfriend also said that I forgot to tell Maggie,
that my Bear Kilts "Maple Leaf" tartan kilt is made of synthetic polyviscous
material. This makes it perfect for summer when I go dragon boat
paddling in the local Vancouver saltwater.
Naomi's Road - Community Concert at Nikkei Place Sat Nov 26
by
Todd
on Wed 23 Nov 2005 10:51 AM PST
This Saturday, Naomi's Road, the Vancouver Opera Touring Ensemble production of Joy Kogawa's children's story plays at Nikkei Centre in Burnaby - just off Kingsway.
It's a wonderful production, full of hope and tears, great singing, staging and acting. more »
Saturday, November 19
Toddish McWong interview on BBC Radio Scotland for Maggie Shiel's Scotland Licked!
by
Todd
on Sat 19 Nov 2005 12:30 PM PST
Toddish McWong interview on BBC Radio Scotland for
Maggie Shiel's Scotland Licked!
Yes indeed, Toddish McWong is finally going to Scotland via the
national airwaves of BBC Radio Scotland. This past week I was
contacted by BBC Radio producer Amraine Rasool.
I will put on my maple leaf tartan kilt made by Bear Kilts, strap on my
sporran also made by "Bear" himself, and arrive at the CBC Radio
studios in downtown Vancouver at 9am, which is 5pm Scotland time. Maybe
I will even take my accordion with me!
I will let you know when the program actually airs.
Scotland Licked! runs at 11:30 to 12 noon Scotland time which would be 3:30am in the morning!
Listen live to BBC Scotland
Here's an excample of
Scotland Licked’s Menu
Edition Two 14th November 2005
Welcome to BBC Radio Scotland's food
magazine programme where I aim to whet your appetite and find out about
the real people behind the food. Far from being awash with
celebrity chefs, Scotland Licked will be hooking up with the unsung
heroes and heroines of the kitchen every week. And through them
I’m going to take you on a journey that will hopefully enlighten and
entertain you about the different cultures and peoples that call this
land home. And, naturally enough, I’ll be celebrating all that is good
about Scottish cooking from handmade oatcakes to handmade humbugs. Come
on a real culinary journey with me, Maggie Shiels, on Scotland Licked
every Monday morning at 1130, I’m sure you won't leave unsatisfied!
Cheers,
Maggie
If you’ve got any foodie queries
you’d like me to tackle, or if you know someone who deserves to have
their culinary skill brought to light, then get in touch. Here are all
the details you need – you can call, write or email the show.
Scotland Licked
Room 4144, BBC Scotland
Queen Margaret Drive
Glasgow G12 8DG
Tel. 0141 338 3500
scotlandlicked@bbc.co.uk
Thursday, November 17
COPE's Chinese fundraiser dinner featured Libby Davies, Jenny Kwan and multicultural entertainment
by
Todd
on Thu 17 Nov 2005 04:24 PM PST
I attended the COPE Chinese dinner fundraiser at the 200 seat Rich Ocean Seafood Restaurant last week on Nov 10th. This was the 2nd ever campaign fundraiser dinner I have ever attended and I am amazed by all the people that I know. I am sitting at table #19 with the musicians - the entertainment for the evening. It is because of me, they are here. Performers include Joe McDonal & Brave Waves, Sean Gunn & Keegan + myself! more »
The Chinese Vote in Vancouver: how to access - what to say
by
Todd
on Thu 17 Nov 2005 03:47 PM PST
The Chinese Vote in Vancouver: how to access - what to say...
The
so-called "Chinese Vote" in Vancouver is really about the Chinese
language vote. Mistakenly, I thought I was part of the Chinese
vote, because people have been calling my multi-gernational family
"Chinese" ever since my great-great-granfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan
arrived in Canada in 1896, following his elder brother Rev. Chan Sing
Kai in 1888, when he came to help found the Chinese Methodist Church in
Vancouver.
Vancouver Sun reporter Frances Bula interviewed me for a Nov 5th
printed an article about Vision Vancouver trying to woo Chinese voters
from the NPA. But she didn't print my comments
directly, because as a 5th generation Vancouverite, I support
individuals across the spectrum on the basis on personal qualities
rather than black and white party lines. I talked about Raymond Louie and George Chow's long involvement and family history with Vancouver. Remember it was COPE that elected by Raymond Louie and Jenny Kwan.
My friend Meena Wong wears her "Win with Woodsworth - Vote COPE" button.
My friend Meena Wong
has been working with COPE, helping them access Chinese language media
and attending Chinese language events. Meena even found former
NPA city counsellor Don Lee saying one thing in Chinese, and another
thing in English - which he denies... Don Lee has also been
representing the National Congress of Chinese Canadians on head tax
issues, when it is actually the Chinese Canadian National Council which
has done the most work on raising the Chinese Head Tax issue,
registering head tax payers and descendents.... go figure!
Read these following articles. Meena is doing a lot in the
community to help native Chinese speakers learn more about important
civic issues.
Chinese vote critical to win
By Allen Garr
COPE hopes worker translates into votes
By Mike Howell-Staff writer
http://www.vancourier.com/issues05/112205/news/112205nn4.html
COPE says Lee calls for scrapping Four Pillars
By Mike Howell-Staff writer
Ricepaper Magazine on CBC radio: Shelagh Rogers interviews Jim Wong-Chu and Jessica Gin-Jade
by
Todd
on Thu 17 Nov 2005 02:31 PM PST
Maybe it's the great editorial that grabs attention. Maybe it's the
design, which keeps getting better with each issue. Maybe, just maybe
it's the 10 years of publishing, surviving in the Canadian mag industry
(and outlasting some) that caught their eye.
Ten years in the magazine industry is no small feat. More like a
small miracle. So CBC Radio's "Sounds Like Canada" shared Ricepaper
Magazine's successes (and misses) with a national audience of 1.3 million listeners across Canada.
It was a great interview. Listen to Jessica talk about how
difficult it is to find kimchee in Halifax, and Jim talk about the
"cultural engineers" that are turning Ricepaper into the hip and
happening success that is so exciting.
Ricepaper was first on "Sounds Like Canada" back in January 2003, the same day Toddish McWong made his SLC debut.
Shelagh co-hosted the 2005 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese
New Year dinner that was a fundraiser for Ricepaper Magazine and the
Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team. Ricepaper is published by Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop, for which I am a vice-president.
Ricepaper: the magazine for creative Asian Canadians
Office 604-879-5962
info@ricepaperonline.com
Media contact: Michelle Siu (604) 616-3588 or Jenny Uechi (604) 879-5962
Tuesday, November 15
REVIEW: Save Kogawa House Nov 12 Special Concert
by
Todd
on Tue 15 Nov 2005 02:41 PM PST
The concert event went well today. About 100 people in the Alice Mackay Room, at the Vancouver Public Library + CTV coverage. Pretty good for very short notice.
The event started with Harry Aoki and Alison Nishihara playing Pachabel's Canon on harmonica and piano. Then I welcomed everybody and explained what the SAVE KOGAWA HOUSE committee was all about. I also told people that we were very grateful for the Vancouver Opera Touring Ensemble gifting us with a performance. I had seen excerpts at a Roy Miki lecture, the Vancouver Arts Awards, and still I had tears in my eyes when I saw performances on opening weekend and just last week at the library. more »
Sunday, November 13
Ricepaper Magazine loves Save Kogawa House concert with Harry Aoki, Raymond Chow, Vancouver Opera Touring Ensemble
by
Todd
on Sun 13 Nov 2005 04:39 PM PST
Ricepaper magazine is Canada's only nationally distributed magazine covering Asian Canadian arts and culture. Editor Jessica Gin Jade and Publisher Jim Wong-Chu were interviewed on CBC Radio's Sounds Like Canada by Sheila Rogers on Thursday Morning.
Jenny Uechi, writer and managing editor attended the November 12th Celebration and Awareness concert for Save Kogawa House. Jenny wrote:
"Naomi's Road" a huge success at Vancouver Public Library! more »
Tuesday, November 8
SAVE KOGAWA HOUSE Celebration and Awareness Concert Nov 12
by
Todd
on Tue 08 Nov 2005 01:18 PM PST
Saturday November 12, 2005 2:00pm
Vancouver Public Library
350 West Georgia Street
Alice Mackay Room
Admission is free, all are welcome. more »
Sunday, November 6
Chinese Canadian History Fair in Nanaimo at Malispina College
by
Todd
on Sun 06 Nov 2005 11:52 PM PST
Chinese Canadian History Fair in Nanaimo at Malaspina College
The Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC
organized another history fair, this time at Nanaimo's Malaspina
University-College. Nanaimo's Chinatown used to be a thriving bustling
place from 1860 to 1923. My great-great-grandfather, Rev. Chan Yu
Tan, had ministered at the Chinese United Church around 1924. After becoming increasingly derelict it was destroyed by a fire September 30, 1960. CCHS board member Dr. Imogene Lim played a big part in
bringing many presenters together from Nanaimo, Cumberland, Vancouver
and Prince George.
Here's what Imogene had to say about the event:
"Although we had a very wet and
stormy day, I think we can say the second CCHS Chinese Canadian History
Fair was a success; we drew a sizable crowd to all the featured
activities. There was a lot of mingling and conversation between
visitors and between exhibitors; in many cases, a reunion and
reconnecting of intersecting lives."
Fourteen displays were presented including the Nanaimo
District Museum, Cumberland Historical Society, Chinese Women Aviators,
Trev Sue-A-Quan's Guyanese Chinese genealogy titled "Cane Reapers," Head Tax Redress, 1907
Riots, Chinese soccer team featuring Queene Yip, chinese cemetaries, and Chinese Canadian women pionneers.
Janice Wong presented her book CHOW From China to Canada:
Stories of Food and Family. This was followed by a panel
discussion with Dr. Imogene Lim, restauranteur Gerry Wong who along
with Janice all grew up in restaurant enviornments. Gerry's
father had chinese restaurants in Nanaimo, while Imogene's uncle and
father ran
the WK Gardens in Vancouver, which she described as a "high end"
restaurant which had catered to Prime Ministers, royalty and
entertainers
such as Frank Sinatra and Gary Cooper. Imogene even showed some of the
original menus and special event menus created for events such as
weddings and royal visits.
Karin Lee also showed her movie Comrade Dad, as well as having a
display table. It was the Vancouver Island premiere of Comrade
Dad, a Karin Lee film about her father, Wally, who ran a Communist
bookstore in Vancouver's Chinatown in the days before China was
recognized by the Canadian government.
The NFB film featuring my cousin Rhonda Larrabee's story about growing
up half Chinese and half First Nations, Tribe of One, was also shown.
I set up a display of the Rev Chan Family, including the poster
displays that were made for our family reunions in 1999 and 2000.
It was very cool that I had pictures of Janice Wong's parents, Dennis
and Mary, her grandparents Joseph and Rose, and her great grandfather,
the Rev. Chan Yu Tan with his wife Wong Shee, as Janice is my 2nd
cousin once removed.
Rhonda Larrabee is also a relative as her father Art is my
grandmother's elder brother, so we had pictures of Rhonda at the
reunions as well, with her brothers, daughters and grandchildren.
I had meant to phone my grand-aunt Helen who lives in Nanaimo, and
tried to reach her through Directory Assistance once I got there but to
no avail. As I was setting up the display, I saw a white haired
woman approach the Rev. Chan Family display flanked by CCHS board
members Larry Wong and Edgar Wickberg.
"That's my grandfather!" she exclaimed, "And my grandmother! How did you get these pictures!"
Both Larry and Ed looked over at me, as I stood silently behind my
Auntie Helen. I held my finger to my lips asking them not to say
anything.
"That's his sister! How did you get these pictures!" my Aunt continued pointing at the pictures.
I finally spoke saying, "Please don't touch the pictures, they are very sensitive."
"Sorry," she said as she kept looking at the pictures saying, "That's my Aunt! That's my Uncle!"
"Excuse me," I said, "How are you related to these people in the pictures?"
She turned and looked at me. Her eyes suddenly widened joyfully
in recognition. "Todd! What are you doing here?"
It turned out that Auntie Helen's friend had been listening to CBC
Radio's North By Northwest, and host Sheryl Mackay had talked about the
Chinese Canadian History Fair at Malispina College, and she told
herself that her friend Helen had to be there.
"You look just like your sister!" Janice Wong exclaimed to Auntie
Helen, when I introduced them to each other for the very first time,
during the CHOW book signing, after the panel discussion with Janice,
Gerry and Imogene. They had never met each other before, but they
knew they were family.
Saturday, November 5
The Chinese Vote in Vancouver: NPA, Vision Vancouver or COPE?
by
Todd
on Sat 05 Nov 2005 07:16 AM PST
The Chinese Vote in Vancouver: NPA, Vision Vancouver or COPE?
The Vancouver Sun has run an article titled Vision trying to
lure Chinese voters away from NPA on today's page B5. But the
article does not identify a distinction between Chinese immigrant
voters and the multigenerational Chinese Canadians born and raised in
Canada.
The reporter Frances Bula, had interviewed me on Friday afternoon asking me about
whether Vision Vancouver can capture some of the traditional Chinese
vote in Vancouver. I immediately asked "Which Chinese community
vote are you talking about?"
"Raymond Louie, is the first Vancouver born City Councillor," I told
Frances Bula, who was surprised at the fact. Bill Yee was the first
Chinese elected to council but he wasn't born in Vancouver.
"Sandra Wilking was the first Chinese woman councillor but was born in
South Africa. Jenny Kwan was the first COPE councillor but was born in
Hong Kong.
"We have to go back to Douglas Jung in 1957" to find a Chinese Canadian
politician born in Vancouver." Jung was Canada's first Member of
Parliament. Even Art Lee, elected in the 1970's had come from
Alberta.
"We are what I call the 'invisible visible-minority',
multi-generational Canadian born chinese, who have integrated and
assimilated into the mainstream," I told the reporter.
"How do I vote? I vote according to the person, rather than
strictly along party lines. It's important to have a healthy
opposition in government, or on civic council That's why people
kept voting for Harry Rankin.
"I like Ellen Woodsworth of COPE, and Heather Deal of Vision Vancouver.
I've gotten to know them since they were elected. I know both Sam
Sullivan and Jim Green - Sam has supported our Asian Canadian Writers
Workshop dinners, and Jim has helped us with the Save Kogawa House
campaign. Anne Roberts, Peter Ladner, along with Woodsworth and
Sullivan also attended my Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner earlier this year. They are all wonderful human beings."
"I first got to know Raymond Louie through his wife, when she was
on the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society. Raymond, like all
my cousins on my mom's side - all married caucasians." This surprised
the reporter.
Raymond wants to be more than just "the Chinese councillor" - more
importantly, he identifies himself as a Canadian who happens to be of
Chinese ethnicity, as I do. I can actually say this about many
multi-generational ethnic Canadians, because we think Canadian
first! And we are better able to cross ethnic lines this way, and
better able to understand all cultures.
Raymond's family has been in Vancouver for a long time. We gave
shared stories about early Chinatown experiences. George
Chow's grandfather paid the head tax, and he immigrated to Vancouver in
the 1960's. Personally, I don't expect
the newer immigrant counsellor candidates to understand some of these
issues about head tax or the experiences of the pioneer chinese of the
1800's and early 1900's. But I think Raymond and George
can. They are also people I can relate to and trust.
Then again, I can't expect myself to understand a lot of the immigrant
Chinese
issues. But because I am more familiar with Chinese culture, and
work with and know a lot of immigrant Chinese, I am probably more
knowledgeable than somebody who is non-Chinese and hasn't experienced
similar issues.
Raymond I and were both at the opening of the 3 Chinese Canadian Pioneer Familes
exhibit at the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum and archives in
2002. I am descended from Rev. Chan Yu Tan, and he is a distant
relative of H.Y. Louie, who were both featured along with Lee-Bick, the
ancestor of former UBC Counsellor and Vancouver businessman Bob Lee.
I think that it is a myth that the Chinese vote traditionally goes to
the NPA, and it may be simply that the NPA were better at recruiting
candidates such as Tung Chan, Don Lee, and Daniel Lee, who as native
Chinese speakers were better able to speak to Chinese media. Even
the Chinese Canadian voters didn't fully support Douglas Jung in his
re-election bid, nor did Don Lee and Daniel Lee get re-elected in the
last civic election, even though Raymond Louie was elected.
I know that I have also had the pleasure to meet Alan Wong and John
Cheng, the COPE and NPA Vancouver School Board Trustees. They are
also both wonderful men, but I relate a bit better to Alan maybe
because he grew up here in Canada, and we are closer in age.
I think that when people vote, they want the people who can best
represent their interests. And this may also mean voting for
people that come from similar backgrounds, hence immigrants may be more
likely to vote for other immigrants of similar background. But
they may also vote for people who are multigenerational, and represent
how their children will grow up as integrated Canadians and
Vancouverites.
I forgot to tell the reporter that I'll be attending the Libby Davies' COPE
chinese
dinner fundraiser on November 10th at the Rich Ocean Seafood Chinese
Restaurant on 777 West Broadway. It's being organized by my
friend Meena Wong, who is helping COPE as a chinese voter
strategist. And I may even be wearing my
kilt as a performer with my accordion. How Chinese is that?
Not very.... but very multicultural Vancouver!
Vancouver Asian Film Festival - Gala Opening + Motel + What Are You Anyway?
by
Todd
on Sat 05 Nov 2005 02:30 AM PST
There was a good fun crowd at Tinseltown for VAFF's opening night.
This year's VAFF opening featured two films. The award winning animated short What Are You Anyways? by Jeff Chiba Stearns, and Motel by Michael Kang. Both films were very enjoyable and expressed aspects of Asian-ess that the audience could releate to. more »
Thursday, November 3
Kogawa House: Vancouver Council votes unaminously to create 120 day delay to demolition application
by
Todd
on Thu 03 Nov 2005 05:51 PM PST
GOOD NEWS today!
We had a good committee presentation with good support from Vancouver Heritage Foundation, Alliance for Arts and Culture, Writers Union of Canada and Periodical Writers Association of Canada.
CBC Radio-Canada Television (french language) even showed up to film us during our lunch meeting at Kirin Restaurant, as we made our presentations, and as we shared congratulations with each other afterwards. more »
Wednesday, November 2
Globe & Mail: Joy Kogawa Cherry Tree planting at City Hall from the
by
Todd
on Wed 02 Nov 2005 08:57 AM PST
Group rallies to save Kogawa home:
Heritage house featured in classic novel chronicling Japanese internment in 1942
By ROD MICKLEBURGH
Wednesday, November 2, 2005 Page S1
VANCOUVER -- Time is running out on the childhood home of celebrated Japanese-Canadian author Joy Kogawa.
The modest, but still well-appointed, bungalow where Ms. Kogawa spent six happy years before her family's anguished internment in 1942 is under threat of demolition, a victim of history and Vancouver's high property prices.
The house features prominently in Ms. Kogawa's prize-winning 1981 novel Obasan, a heart-rending, barely fictionalized memoir of her internment experience that was recognized by Quill and Quire as one of the most influential Canadian books of the 20th century. more »
Tuesday, November 1
Vancouver City Hall "Joy Kogawa Cherry Tree Planting"
by
Todd
on Tue 01 Nov 2005 08:42 PM PST
Today, Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell pronounced November 1st as "Obasan Cherry Tree Day." Campbell read the proclamation in celebration of the planting of a cherry tree graft from the childhood home of author Joy Kogawa. Mayor Campbell acknowledged Councillor Jim Green who spearheaded the tree planting initiative, going to the house with Kogawa last year to take the tree clippings that were nurtured for a year for the planting.
Also speaking at the ceremony was Paul Whitney, City Librarian, Vancouver Public Library, and James W. Wright, General Director, Vancouver Opera. Joy's novel Obasan was the 2005 choice for the library's award winning program One Book One Vancouver. James Wright said that when he came to Vancouver he was given a copy of the book "Great Canadian books of the century" written by Vancouver Public Library (1999) (ISBN 1550547364). He said that he read about Obasan, and it was one of the first books he read after arriving in Vanouver. Next he discovered Kogawa's children story Naomi's Road, and was so moved by it, he commisioned it as an opera. PICTURES! more »
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