Report from the Program Committee

The 1999–2000 year was another busy and demanding year for this committee. Many changes and challenges kept us from losing our concentration. I would like to thank our fellow Directors for their great ideas and kind support. I must thank Mrs. Yvonne Chiu, Honorary Advisor, for her precious advice and contribution. Special thanks to our staff members for their dedication and co-operation, although Mrs. Anita Leung is no longer with us, her effort and contribution is much appreciated. And I am indebted to our Mr. Patrick Yiu, Fausto Chang, Tina Wong and Christine Fung for their special help in keeping the program department in good order.

Programs cannot run without sponsorships. I am most grateful to our many sponsors, which supported us and showed great faith in our projects. Special appreciation is extended to the Culture Ministry of the Peoples Republic of China through its Culture Consul Xiang, the City of Toronto, Toronto Arts Council and Royal Ontario Museum.

We are also greatly indebted to all our volunteers; at this moment we have approximately 140 active volunteers helping us in running special events as well as operations. Thousands of hours were contributed to the Centre. In December 1999, a Volunteer and Staff Recognition Dinner were held, over 120 attended and plaques of appreciation were awarded.

The cores of the Chinese Cultural Centre's programs are:

Chinese Cultural Courses

Between September 1999 and June 2000, we have coordinated a total number of 133 courses, with an enrolment of 1274 students, bringing in a net profit of over $20,000.00. Except the original established courses such as Chinese Calligraphy, Cooking and Dim Sum Classes, Chinese Watercolor Painting, Mandarin Classes, Cantonese Opera Singing, Dough Flower Making etc. We have also introduced new courses like Tai Chi Sword, Qigong, Picture Mounting, Ballroom Dancing and Beads Ornament Class. Our major planning for the coming year is to establish a variety of Chinese Music courses like Erhu, Dizi and Zhengs etc.

Children's Courses & Programs

Chinese Cultural Summer Camp was held in July 1999. Over 100 children enrolled. Chinese Art and Culture were taught at this camp and this was a two dialect training camp. This camp generated a profit of $17,000.00. We are anticipating a larger crowd for the year 2000.

We were invited to participate in the celebration of the Chinese New Year with the Unionville Library on January 29, 2000. 40 children attended the event as we offered demonstration of Chinese arts and performances. Various media groups covered this event.

The March Break Camp 2000 once again was a great success with a full enrolment of 31 students. At the end of their one- week event, the students performed a very amusing opera. This function was a partnership with the Canadian Opera Company.

We also provided programs and support for our young people:

Our China Study Tour went to China in August 1999 with 20 students. They were awarded by Toronto District School Board with Grade 12 Social Science Study Credit, but more importantly this tour gave them the opportunities to further appreciate the Chinese culture, as well, the fun and joy of the tour definitely made the trip to be one of the most memorable experiences in their life. Many of these students are now become active volunteers in our Centre.

The Career Fair 1999 was held on October 2 with an attendance of around 00. Majority of the attendees were walk-in public, many of them spoke Mandarin and were professionals from China. Their presence certainly casts another perspective in various talks and seminars.

Community Festivals and Celebrations

Caravan 1999 was an exceptional event held in late June and early July. The 10-day program attracted an enormous amount of people visited our Centre. Program included Lion Dance, Chinese Folk Dance, Arts and Crafts Demonstration, Kung Fu Demonstration and Children Drama Performance. Thanks to the help of hundreds of volunteers in organization and preparation of programs. In the culture point of view, this event was a great success. We were awarded five prizes which include winner of Traditional Show, winner of Exterior Theme Award, 1st runner-up of Interior Theme Award, 2nd runner-up of Zen Kossar Award for Best Pavilion and the Chairperson of the Year Award.

The Mid-Autumn Harvest Moon Festival was held on September 25th. Over 1000 people attended. Program included art and craft station, exhibitions, performances and demonstration of arts and storytelling of the festival. This program was in conjunction with the Great Sedan Chair Race. Eight teams participated the race. It was fun and exciting. The contribution of the Toronto Arts Council was much appreciated.

Confucius 2550 anniversary Dinner was held November 1999. Over 400 guests attended the event.

Chinese New Year Celebrations — We held 5 different functions in 5 different locations in celebration of the year of Dragon.

Chinese New Year at CCC — Chinese Folk Dance, Chinese Opera Singing, Fortune telling and special new year's lunch specialties were arranged for this occasion. There were also crafts making and lucky draw.

Chinese New Year at Skydome — Booth was set up at the Skydome in promoting the programs of CCC from February 4 to February 6. Flyers and membership applications were handed out. The overall evaluation was good.

Chinese New Year Dinner — Golden Dynasty (Pacific Mall) — A dinner was held on February 11. 400 guests attended. It was a 10-course meal with lots of fun and games.

Chinese New Year at FCC — The CCC helped with the celebration of the on February 13. We offered one hour of craft and arts activities for the children.

Chinese New Year at ROM — This was held on February 18th and 20th 2000. Same as the past years, we did arts demonstration, crafts for children, lion dance and Chinese opera. Three movies from the Cultural Consul of the Peoples' Republic of China were shown. Many brochures with regard to the programs of CCC were distributed. The event was well covered by the media.

Dr. Hin-Shiu Hung Art Gallery

In September, the gallery held the Toronto Arts Week exhibition with the works of four Scarborough artists. Between October and December, there were numerous photo and picture exhibitions prepared by individuals and groups, the Feng Fa Si, Henan Association of Canada, Accells and Dr. Jack Li. Other than individual exhibitions organized by the general public, we have coordinated several inspiring exhibitions in our gallery. In November, the Confucius Exhibition in conjunction with the Confucius Anniversary's activities. The Tigers and Dragons Exhibition of Chinese's Festival Hats was started on February 4th and was greatly admired by Lady Betty Tung and Mrs. Stanley Ho when they visited our Centre. The opening of Silk Road Display were held May 15, this exhibition will be on until the middle of June. We are featuring artifacts from ROM and Gansu. We were grateful to two curators from China, Mr. Zhang Lisheng and Mr. Cao Guo Xin for their enlightening talks on this wonderful display.

Group Tours

Since July of 1999, many organizations visited our Centre. These groups included many community centers such as Woodgreen Community Centre, Chinese Senior Support Services Associations, Chinese Information Community Services etc. We also attracted quite a few schools such as the Crestwood School, York School and St. Barnabas School. I am confident that these group tours will serve as a fine tool in promoting our Centre as well as the Chinese culture.