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
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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
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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, May 30
James Erlandsen: 2007 honourary drummer for Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team
by
Todd
on Wed 30 May 2007 10:32 PM PDT
James Erlandsen: 2007 honourary drummer for Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team
James Erlandsen is the 2007 honourary drummer for the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team - photo courtesy of Aynsley Meldrum
For
2007, our honourary drummer is James Erlandsen. James is presently
undergoing medical treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. James
has no siblings, so it’s pretty challenging to find a matching Eurasian
donor for a bone marrow transplant.
James' great-grandfather Chen Sing emigrated to Canada in 1885, paid the
head tax, worked on the CPR line until his head tax debt was repaid,
and then was one of the first Chinese pioneers in the Nicola Valley
region of B.C. James' great uncles George Sing and Ernie Sing served in
WWII.On the other side of James' family, his grandfather Edmund
Erlandsen emigrated from Norway as a young man. I've been told that
Edmund taught himself the carpentry trade from a book, at a time when
his English was very limited.
 
Gung
haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team paddled at Lotus Sports Club's Bill
Alley Memorial dragon boat reggatta on May 19th - photo Sean Kingsley
When I first met James at the St. Paul's Hospital on
May 7th, I gave him a Gung Haggis team shirt and invited him to come
out to paddle with us when he gets better. I also hope to share with
him my own experiences of being a successful cancer survivor.
The
Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team annually hosts a Robbie Burns
Chinese New Year dinner to celebrate BC's pioneer cultures of Scots and
Chinese, as well as many inter-cultural topics and events. Our entire
dragonboat team gives its encouragement for James’ return to health,
and to also help raise awareness for the need for Eurasian bone marrow
donors. We have 3 Eurasian paddlers on the team… and 3 Caucasian/Asian
Canadian couples! Very Gung Haggis!
And James' cousin Hillary Wong has just joined the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team.
Oh...
and I discovered that James and I both went to Carson Graham high school in North
Vancouver, and we were both students at Simon Fraser where James was
diagnosed with leukemia at age 23, while I was diagnosed with a germ
cell tumor at age 29. Wow!!! too many coincidences...
In years past the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team has had honourary drummers, steersperson and paddlers. This is to highlight the person's contributions to society, or a worthy cause.
The first honourary steersperson was architect Joe Wai, who designed the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens which has the mission statement of "building bridges." Joe is also my elder paternal cousin, and I have always claimed him as one of my early role models.
Community activist and former city councilor Ellen Woodsworth was our honourary drummer for the "Gung Haggis Fat Choy float entry" for the 2005 St. Patrick's Day parade. Ellen loves the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinners!
Ellen Woodsworth (honourary drummer) and Margaret Gallagher (honourary) paddler join GHFC paddler/steers Dave Samis in the 2005 St. Patrick's Day Parade - photo Todd Wong
CBC broadcaster Margaret Gallagher describes herself as Chi-rish (Chinese and Irish ancestry), and is involved in many intercultural activities in the Vancouver arts community, and has supported Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner events many times. Margaret was an honourary paddler for the 2005 St. Patrick's Day parade.
Joy Kogawa receives her team jersey from paddlers Dan Seto and Gail Thomson - photo Todd Wong
Joy Kogawa was our honourary drummer for 2006. She is one of Canada's most important writers, the author of Obasan, Naomi's Road and The Rain Ascends. I am one of the leaders of Kogawa House Comittee, as we strove to successfully save Joy's childhood home from demolition. It was this same house that her family was removed from because of the internment of Japanese Canadians during WW2, and that she wrote about in her award winning books.
 
I think I will have to give James a Terry Fox loonie... Terry was an 18 year old student at SFU when he diagnosed with his cancer.
James Erlandsen wrote today at 8:54pm
Hey Todd,
I would be honored to become the honourary drummer for your dragon boat team. Sorry I haven't responded sooner, I've been without my computer for the last few days while at the hospital.
Thanks for everything, and talk to you later.
James
Todd Wong wrote back today at 9:25pm
Most Excellent Dude!!!
We hope to do two major things with this honourary position:
1) lift your spirits so you can handle anything, conquer anything and give you goals to look forward to;
2) help raise continued awareness for a matching bone marrow donor for YOU!
How to help James:
Bone Marrow Donors
Needed
23-year-old James Lee Erlandsen, who was
recently diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, requests your
assistance. James requires a Bone
Marrow Transplant, but has not been able to find a suitable donor. He is of Asian and European parentage,
and the best chances for a match would be from donors of similarly mixed
ancestry.
If you are a healthy individual between the
ages of 17-50, and particularly if you are of mixed heritage, please consider
registering with Canadian Blood Services' Bone Marrow Donor
Registry.
Individuals can submit their information
online, and they will be contacted by Canadian Blood
Services.
http://www.blood.ca/registry
1-888-2-DONATE
Please share this
information with others in your circle who might be potential bone marrow
registrants.
Thank you for
your willingness to help
James.
DADAWA is playing at the Chan Centre to wrap up the explorASIAN festival
by
Todd
on Wed 30 May 2007 01:42 PM PDT
Dadawa is an internationally recognized musical performer that only a few people are aware of in Vancouver. She has currently been an artist in residence at UBC. explorASIAN executive director Don Montgomery has been telling me stoked he is that Dadawa is performing in Vancouver.
The Chan Centre has really gone all out to bring in interesting cross-cultural and inter-cultural artists to create a wonderful program this year. This should definitely be a show to watch this week! more »
Wednesday, May 23
REVIEW: Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre's Sketch-Off Competition
by
Todd
on Wed 23 May 2007 05:45 PM PDT
Harvey Liu attended this year's annual Sketch-Off Competion, hosted by Vancouver Asian Comedy Theatre. Here is his review - special to www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com
Each year, Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre offers an “Annual SketchOff* Competition.” Now for those of you who are wondering what this is, just try and imagine Russel Peters x 6, minus the brown, mixed in some yellow, and voila! (groups of Asian comedians, in case you didn’t catch my drift) . For some background information, VACT was made to promote and increase Asian actors on stage, and what better way to do this than with laughter? more »
Sunday, May 20
Outrigger Paddling to English Bay: Huli drills in the rain
by
Todd
on Sun 20 May 2007 07:15 PM PDT
Outrigger canoe racing is one of the fastest growing water sports on the Pacific Coast. Many of my paddling friends have paddled outrigger canoes.... The Hawaiian style canoes featued in Hawaii 5-0 opening credits are called outrigger canoes, also known as OC-6 canoes.... I went out this morning for my outrigger canoe orientation. It was lightly raining. I drove to Safeway and bought waterproof bandages and a Starbucks coffee. I had put on about 8 waterproof bandages, hoping it would help keep my finger and stitches dry. The weather was cold and drizzly. The other four people were wearing shorts, knowing they would get wet. I wore my running tights, thermal long-sleeved undershirt, thermal Sugoi long sleeved biking shirt + my paddling jacket. I stayed warmer thany they did. Good choice. more »
Saturday, May 19
Gung Haggis dragon boat team does well at Lotus Sports' "Bill Alley Memorial dragon boat regatta"
by
Todd
on Sat 19 May 2007 09:55 PM PDT
Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team was a happy team today!
We attended the 10th anniversary of the Lotus Sports Club's "Bill Alley Memorial dragon boat regatta." Monies raised go to the "Bill Alley Memorial scholarship fund" for the young members of the Lotus Race. I have attended these races since 1998 when it was first known as the "Golden Spike dragon boat regatta" and it was held at Rocky Point Park in Port Moody. We had good races at Barnet Marine Park today. In races with four boats - we came second twice, and first once... then in the Rec B final - We won!!! against a team that had beat us in the first race!!! more »
Friday, May 18
Hip and Hapa and Happening for May 18-21, 2007
by
Todd
on Fri 18 May 2007 12:11 PM PDT
'Too Asian to be American, too American to be Asian' - May 15 to 18;
Etch-Your-Sketch SKETCHOFF!#$%!!
8th Annual Asian Comedy Night; Vietnamese Water Puppets - May 15, 16, 18, 19, 20; The A-list Comedy Tour 2007 - May 19 - 8pm more »
Thursday, May 17
8th Annual Asian Comedy Night - May 18 & 19 - 8pm
by
Todd
on Thu 17 May 2007 12:56 PM PDT
It's comedy night time again and this year, we have 6 new sketch groups competing for the coveted Vancouver Rice Bowl. Etch-YOUR-Sketch SKETCHOFF!#$%!! - 8th Annual Asian Comedy Night is happening on Friday, May 18th and Saturday, May 19th. The first night, the teams are judged by people in the industry and on the 2nd night, the audience is the judge with their applause and measured with a decibel reader. Teams have a chance to win up to $350!
With names like Slant Eyed Peas, Sfuu Man Chu, Bananadrama, Yangtzers, Lick the Wax Tadpole and Disoriental, it surely will be a night full of laughs. more »
Wednesday, May 16
Centre A - Limits of Toderance: Re-framing the Multicultural State Policy
by
Todd
on Wed 16 May 2007 12:48 PM PDT
Here's an interesting art presentation at Centre A, the Vancouver International Centre for Contempory Art. They always have rotating presentations as well as special one-off presentations that make for an exciting vibrant Pan-Asian-Canadian and Canadian arts culuture. Check it out! more »
I have four stitches on my baby finger
by
Todd
on Wed 16 May 2007 11:42 AM PDT
It was a freak accident. I was paddling lead stroke on the left side of the dragon boat. Since I was also coaching, I looked over my shoulder, and lost my paddling focus. I must have lost my bottom hand grip on the paddle, because I have a very strong top arm drive... and as my top hand came down, I smashed my little finger between the paddle handle and the boat. I have never known anybody to have an injury like this. more »
Tuesday, May 15
Vancouver Sun: story on James Erlandsen and his search for a Eurasian bone marrow donor
by
Todd
on Tue 15 May 2007 11:53 PM PDT
check out this story in the Vancouver Sun by Pamela Fayerman. It's a good story about the need to find Eurasian donors for bone marrow - because it is so rare.
When I look in my own family. I have maternal cousins who are Eurasian, and all of my Chinese maternal cousins married Caucasians (except the two who are unmarried) and have had little Eurasian children including my brother. That's what happens in a 5th generation Canadian family. And most of my paternal cousins married causcasians and had Eurasian children - many of whom are young adults and starting to get married. more »
Sunday, May 13
Courier: Rally clebrates 60 years of rights - interviews with Gim Wong and Sid Tan
by
Todd
on Sun 13 May 2007 12:20 AM PDT
Here's a Friday May 11th article in the Vancouver Courier that interviews both Gim Wong, WW2 veteran, and Sid Tan, head tax redress activist. When Gim rode his motorcycle across Canada in 2005, I blogged the reports that I received from across Canada and from the CCNC:
Gim Wong, 84, fought in the Second World War but wasn't allowed to vote. Last year, he rode his motorcycle to Ottawa to press then prime minister Paul Martin for redress.
Photo by Dan Toulgoet
Rally celebrates 60 years of rights
By Cheryl Rossi-Staff writer
When families who were affected by the Chinese Head Tax celebrate 60 years of citizenship Saturday, they'll be recognizing how far they've come in gaining rights and respect for Chinese people in Canada.
But according to Sid Tan, co-chair of the Head Tax Families Society of Canada, they'll also highlight problems migrant workers face today as echoes of what their families endured.
"The issues of guest workers, the issues of seasonal and temporary employment, live-in caregivers and domestics, all these issues are not that different from what the early Chinese suffered," said Tan. "These are people that are good enough to come to Canada and do the dirty and menial work or the work that a lot of Canadians won't or aren't willing to do, and they have no rights. There's something wrong with the picture, and a hundred years ago this is what happened to the Chinese." more »
Saturday, May 12
Veterans fought for Respect - recognizing the contributions of Chinese Canadians
by
Todd
on Sat 12 May 2007 12:23 PM PDT
On Monday (May 14), the 73-year-old Richmond resident will join other army, navy, and air-force veterans at a proclamation ceremony at Vancouver City Hall at 10:30 a.m. The day marks the 60th anniversary of the repealing of the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 (the Exclusion Act) in 1947, after many Chinese Canadians had fought in the Second World War on two fronts–to defeat the spread of fascism and to be recognized as equal citizens in Canadian society.
"I joined in peacetime, 10 years after the war," Ing told the Georgia Straight. "When they [Chinese Canadians] went to war, part of their aim was to show they were worthy citizens. When they came back, they would take up the task of lobbying to get us the franchise, which they did. Most of us who weren't around and weren't of age to do anything are grateful to these guys. We're very aware that it's 62 years now since the end of the Second World War." more »
My Birthday for 2007
by
Todd
on Sat 12 May 2007 11:11 AM PDT
I spent the afternoon playing with my "almost 4" year old nephew.
We went shopping for a birthday cake "so we can have a feast."
We went to Earl's Downtown on Hornby St. for dinner
Saw Spiderman 3 at the Paramount
Then off to Bacchus Lounge at the Wedgewood Hotel for desserts, drinks and late night pizza.
Friends and Food - Wonderful! more »
Friday, May 11
Chinese Canadian Veterans dinner May 12 - celebrating 60th anniversary of Canadian Citizenship
by
Todd
on Fri 11 May 2007 02:20 PM PDT
This Saturday I have organized a table for the Chinese Canadian Veterans celebrating 60th anniversary of Canadian Citizenship.
Yes... it has been 60 years since Chinese Canadians actually have citizenship and voting rights - largely due to the lobbying and enrollment of Chinese Canadian veterans of WW2.
Please join me in recognizing the achievements of the vets for our community. more »
Thursday, May 10
explorFILM workshop with Mina Shum and Greg Chan for Asian Heritage Month
by
Todd
on Thu 10 May 2007 12:07 PM PDT
This sounds like a fun workshop for Asian Heritage Month. I loved Mina's films Double Happiness. This message is from Don Montgomery, executive director of explorASIAN.
http://www.explorasian.org/Program%20Guide%202007/May%2012/explorfilm.html more »
Wednesday, May 9
Cherry Blossoms at Kogawa House
by
Todd
on Wed 09 May 2007 10:49 PM PDT
The cherry blossoms have been out everywhere in Vancouver since late March. In mid-April I was driving through Vancouver's Marpole neighborhood, when I thought I should go visit Joy Kogawa's childhood home at 1450 West 64th Ave.
It had been back the summer of 2005, when I had received an e-mail from Ann-Marie Metten that Joy Kogawa's beloved cherry tree was diseased and dying. She and a group that included then Vancouver city councillor Jim Green, gathered grafts from the cherry tree to try to preserve it for future incarnations - because it was feared that the owner would not give up the house. more »
Jen Sookfong Lee featured at CBC Radio Studio One Book Club - we check it out!
by
Todd
on Wed 09 May 2007 10:20 PM PDT
On May 2nd, Wednesday, Jen Sookfong Lee was the featured guest, to help CBC Radio celebrate Asian Heritage Month, so explorASIAN was one of the sponsors. The book club took place in one of the tv studios - I guess Studio One is part of the renovations as the CBC building is being dug up along Hamilton St.
The format is this: Sheryl and John introduce the show, talk about their guest, then introduced Jen, and invited her up from the audience. They ask Jen a number of questions and discussed her book.
It's about Samantha Chan who tries to run away from Vancouver to Montreal to escape her "Chinese-ness" but ends up returning when she discovers her grandfather's head tax certificate. Her novel tells a dual story of the early Chinese pioneers to Vancouver during the time of head tax (1895-1923) and the 1923 exclusion act while also telling a contemporary story of present day Samantha Chan dealing with her identity and family history. more »
Tuesday, May 8
Wind on False Creek makes white capped waves for dragon boat practice
by
Todd
on Tue 08 May 2007 11:58 PM PDT
We had a wonderful practice tonight....
Paddlers said it was one of the best.
The sun was out... the wind was up, whitecaps in False Creek - YIKES!
All our paddlers rose to the challenge. Waves hit the sides of the boat, and sometimes came in. People got wet... some the wettest ever at a practice. But it was a great practice. 20 paddlers in a Gemini boat. We started with a warm-up paddle to Cambie St. Bridge. We did a 500m race piece to prepare for the May 19th Bill Alley memorial dragon boat regatta organized by the Lotus Sports Club more »
Monday, May 7
Bone Marrow Registry for Mixed-Race Donors and transplants
by
Todd
on Mon 07 May 2007 04:30 PM PDT
Apparently there is a bone marrow registry for Mixed Race Donors and transplants!
My friend Jeff Chiba Stearns has just sent me this message. Jeff describes himself as half-Japanese, half-Euro mutt - or "Hapa" - according to the Hawaiian term meaning "Half-White" or "Half-Asian"... depending on your Hapa perspective
Check this out:
http://www.mavinfoundation.org/projects/matchmaker.html more »
James Erlandsen and Todd Wong meet for City TV interview
by
Todd
on Mon 07 May 2007 03:08 PM PDT
James and I met today at St. Paul's Hospital. James' family has been very appreciative of my efforts to help spread the word about James' need for a Eurasian bone marrow donor.
City TV wanted to interview both of us as we met for the first time. Up to now, James and I had only communicated through his aunt and cousin, and an e-mail message.
James looked to be in good spirits. The presence of television camera with lights made the atmosphere a bit surreal, and very self-aware. more »
Saturday, May 5
James Erlandsen on CTV news, as plea for Eurasian bone marrow donor goes to the media
by
Todd
on Sat 05 May 2007 11:56 PM PDT
Good news for leukemia patient James Erlandsen, as the media is picking up the plea for a Eurasian donor. Last week I was contacted by James' cousin Aynsley who felt that www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com, a website that promoted intercultural issues, is a good place for a story about the search for a Eurasian-Canadian bone marrow donor. I have sent James' story to media contacts, and the story was broadcast by Channel M yesterday, and CTV tonight. The North Shore News, Ming Pao and City TV are also following up on the story. more »
Evening of Poetry with Evelyn Lau and Indran Amirthanayagam - Monday!
by
Todd
on Sat 05 May 2007 11:40 PM PDT
Check out this exciting evening of poetry for Asian Heritage Month. I have met Evelyn a number of times, and even booked her for Asian Heritage Month events when I helped to program events for explorASIAN. Evelyn is an exciting reader with thoughtful penetrating words and images.
An Evening of Poetry with Evelyn Lau and introducing Indran Amirthanayagam (poet)
http://www.explorasian.org/Program%20Guide%202007/May%207/lau_amirthanayagam.html more »
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