GUNG HAGGIS FAT CHOY 2006: Dinner update

The tickets sales are picking up, and the media calls are coming in.

One Wednesday night, I bumped into Max Wyman and his wife Susan Mendelson. Max is the new mayor of Lion's Bay, and is excited to be coming as one of my special guests at the head table.  He told arts curator Tom Graff that he will be reading some Burns poetry.  Susan asked about what to wear, and we told her that ethnic-chic was very very cool....

City Councilor Suzanne Anton confirmed she is coming, and thanked me for making Kogawa House one of the beneficiaries of the fund raising dinner.  I replied that the decision was a no-brainer and that I really appreciate what Joy has done for the Asian Canadian literary and arts community and it is very important to save her childhood home. Last year city councilors Ellen Woodsworth, Anne Roberts, Sam Sullivan and Peter Ladner attended, along with Mayor Larry Campbell.

Sandee Wong of the Calgary Herald called me for a short interview, asking what the special surprise for 2006 was going to be.  I said I couldn't tell her - it would ruin the surprise.

Christina Harper who lives in Everett WA, is hoping to come across the border to attend the dinner with friends.  Christina writes for The Scotsman, an international newspaper for the Scots diaspora around the world.

I am looking forward to the January 16th GHFC World Poetry Night.  I talked to  bagpiper Joe McDonald the other day.  He is readying the pipes for our annual free event, and he will be bringing some of his self-penned songs to perform.

On the cover of the January Events for the Vancouver Public Library is my cousin Janice Wong on the cover - because her book reading/presentation for CHOW: memories of food and family, is being presented at the Central Library with a panel discussion on January 18.  Chef Steven Wong is joining us, Janice, historian Larry Wong and myself.  That makes it 4 Wongs or Quad Wongs says Janice.

Earlier this week, I also confirmed my participation for the SFU Gung Haggis Fat Choy Canadian Games 3-day festival.  On January 25th, there will be opening ceremonies with Lion Dance, and a rice and chopsticks relay.  On January 26th, there will be the Dragon Carts races, and on January 27th, there will be a brand new world's first - "Human Curling."

I can't believe how my simple idea of Gung Haggis Fat Choy is morphing into such crazy and unbelievable permutations.  But I love it.