the Mikado a la Gung Haggis Fat Choy: Damon Nestor Ploumis in Gung Haggis team uniform – photo Deb Martin
Monthly Archives: August 2006
Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team update for August 8th
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Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team update for August 8th
The team is really developing a good core of dedicated paddlers.
With only 12 paddlers on Sunday, and 13 paddlers tonight on Tuesday,
there is a good surge in the boat.
On Sunday, guest coaches James Yu and Ian Paul, took over the coaching
reins while I was in Vernon. James was my steering coach and an
early dragon boat mentor, when we first raced on the Hamazaki-Wong
Headliners from 1993 to 1995. James is presently coaching the
GVRD 44 Cheeks dragon boat team.
Ian Paul and I first crossed paths when I invited him to join our Men's team at Alcan in 2002, he has now gone on to found the Pirates dragon boat
team. Ian raced with Gung Haggis at Alcan last year. 10
Gung Haggis paddlers will be joining the Pirates team in
Victoria. Ian sent me this note:
Hi Todd
Yes, sunday was great ,
James and I shared the coaching and steering , so
your Gung haggiss team will have lots to impress you with when you next see them
! Race pieces at the end of the practice , in that sun , and they still had a
surge at the end!
your Gung haggiss team will have lots to impress you with when you next see them
! Race pieces at the end of the practice , in that sun , and they still had a
surge at the end!
They are a great bunch , and really do you
proud!
proud!
Glad to hear you may be in cultus lake , its very
small , but weather permitting is fun
small , but weather permitting is fun
see you soon,,,,,,,,,, Ian..
The Gung Haggis team will be at the Cultus Lake Women's Regatta.
We are renaming the women's version as the Mu Lan Women Warriors.
Only women can paddle. Men are allowed to drum and steer, but
must be dressed in drag. Our men will wear kilts, but supplement
with wigs, etc.
Cultus Lake is a fun race… only 12 teams. We will be missing
some of our strongest women paddlers, but we have a great crew going,
and expect to have great fun.
Tonight's practice was the first ever Tuesday in the rain. A
light rain by practice time. We worked hard to bury the paddles,
and consistently had good surge in our power pieces, race starts and
race pieces.
Afterwards, we went to Hon's Wun Tun House on Keefer Street in
Chinatown for our “carbohydrate replenishment.” Our after dinner
conversation was very enjoyable and good team bonding. We have a
high level of trust amongst our core paddlers and it really contributes
to a great team attitude and team cohesion. I am very proud and
happy with this year's team paddlers, and keep telling them so.
Chinatown Stroll for Chinese Head Tax/Exclusion Redress – for August 6
MEDIA ADVISORY – August 3, 2006
Date: Sunday, August 6, 2006 – BC
Chinatown Stroll for
Chinese Head Tax/Exclusion Redress
Vancouver, BC – The BC Coalition of Head Tax
Payers, Spouses and Descendants will mark the upcoming long weekend with a
Chinatown Stroll.
Date: Sunday, August 6, 2006 – BC
Day weekend
Time:
10:00am call time – stroll to begin shortly after
Place:
Sun Yat-sen Garden east entrance
Corner of Columbia and Keefer Streets, Vancouver
The Conservative government recently imposed
a redress package unilaterally and ignored and rejected calls from head tax
families for a just and honourable redress.
The BC Coalition of Head Tax Payers, Spouses
and Descendants are today's Chinese Canadians. We welcome all Canadians to join
us in this quest for justice and honour for our
Chinese pioneers and their families.
– 30 –
Slow-Pitch Ball Game Honours Asahi baseball team + exhibit at JCNM
Slow-Pitch Ball Game Honours Asahi Baseball TeamFirst Annual Powell Grounds Ball Game
A Tribute to the Vancouver Asahi Baseball Team
Monday, August 7, 11:00 a.m.
Oppenheimer Park, 400 block Powell Street, Vancouver
As part of this year’s Powell Street Festival, a ball game will take
place to celebrate the Vancouver Asahi baseball team’s legacy. This
will be a physical and fun opportunity for communities and baseball fans to
celebrate and learn about the Asahi baseball team on the field where
they once played.
This is a free public event. Youth, adults, seniors and families are
all welcome! Refreshments will be available. Please bring your own lawn
chair. We want Asahi fans and all baseball enthusiasts to play or come
see the game. Pre-registration is required for players.
Please contact the Japanese Canadian National Museum for more
information or if you would like to register to play.
Tel: 604-777-7000 ext.109
E-mail: jcnm@nikkeiplace.org
Media contact:
Krysta Mukai - Events Coordinator (Summer)
Japanese Canadian National Museum
Tel: 604-777-7000, ext. 109
Fax: 604-777-7001
E-mail: jcnm@nikkeiplace.org
Levelling the Playing Field: Legacy of Vancouver's Asahi Baseball
Team
October 29, 2005 – September 2, 2006
From 1914 to 1941 this talented team of Japanese Canadian baseball players
competed and won in the Vancouver senior leagues, instilling enormous
pride in a community faced with racial prejudice and inequality. The
Asahis played baseball like no others, and they were the only ethnic
Asian team in the league. Barely five feet tall, “dancing shortstop”
Roy Yamamura was incomparable racing around the bases to steal the opposition
blind. Third baseman Sally Nakamura was “home run king” while
catcher Reggie Yasui could bunt wherever he wanted, like most of the
Asahis. Long before Little League, coach Harry Miyasaki created three
tiers of junior teams to nurture talent for the Asahi brand of brain
ball. This club could win without a hit. They were legendary, and they
had a dream.
Check out this http://www.jcnm.ca/exhibits.htm
Hip, Hapa and Interculturally Happening… August 5 to 11
Hip, Hapa and Interculturally Happening… August 5 to 11
July was so busy for me, I wasn't able to write up any H3 announcement lists…
But there are some great things happening this weekend. I would be going to as much of them as possible… if I was in Vancouver.
But I am headed back to Kalamalka Lake in the BC Okanagan… wineries – here I come!
check out:
The Pride Parade in Vancouver….
http://www.vanpride.bc.ca/event-details.cfm?month=08&year=2006&day=6
Lots of cultural diversity, and intercultural happenings.
My friend Leora Cashe will be performing at the Pride Jazz dinner cruise on Sunday, following the parade.
http://www.leoracashe.com/schedule.html
Of Heaven and Earth
http://www.cpaf.ca/cpaf/index.html
This is the revamped original action-musical by producer Dennis Law.
It features contemporary Chinese ballet as well as Chinese ethnic
dances and martial arts. It is pretty exciting, and you will
learn lots about Chinese culture, arts, and a classic folk tale about
two lovers.
Check out my previous reviews of:
Powell Street Festival
http://powellstfestival.shinnova.com/
The long running cultural festival celebrating Japanese-Canadian arts
and culture. Saturday, Sunday and Monday at Oppenheimer Park on
Vancouver's Downtown Eastside/Strathcona neighborhood.
Kokuoho Rice (Linda Hoffman, Joyce Chong, Sean Gunn and John
Greenaway) will be performing at the Powell Street Festival on
Sunday at 2:30pm on mainstage. Inside scoop is Head Tax Blues
is on their playlist.
Too bad I have to miss this one. Sean Gunn is a friend from Asian Canadian literary and Head Tax redress circles. And once, many years ago… I accompanied Sean during a Powell Strett Festival gig. I played my accordion to songs such as head tax blues, Canadian Railroad Tragedy, and Sukiyaki.
Festival Vancouver
www.festivalvancouver.ca/
Some great international performers coming to Vancouver such as Arturo
Sandoval, Anoushka Shankar and many many more. Classical to
world, to jazz.
Good article in the Georgia Straight with the best picks of the Festival Vancouver, selected by founder George Laverock and Sal Ferraras. Laverock is excited about “a vocal group called Rajaton from Finland.” Tickets still available for Tuesday August 8 at 5pm, Christ Church Cathedral.
Sal recommends “the Anoushka
Shankar show for the opening act, which is called
Dharmakasa. It’s a trio with a particularly interesting player of the
Japanese shakuhachi [flute], Alcvin Ramos. He’s a beautiful player who
delivers some very meditative, very evocative moments.” Anouska is the sitar virtuoso daughter of musical legend Ravi Shankar, and performs August 10th at the Chan Centre.
Good article titled Anoushka Shankar Rises about her new album mixing East and West for some comtemporary World beat fusion.
Todd Wong’s Top 8 List of Summer Reads
Todd Wong’s Top 8 List of Summer Reads
My
Top 8 summer reading suggestions was printed in our Library Union
newsletter for CUPE local 391. The newsletter staff had asked for
suggestions… and this is what I came up with.
1. 1001
Albums to Listen to Before You Die, (because I like lists, and I love listening
to albums).
2. 1001
Books to Read Before You Die (because I like lists…)
3. Outlander
by Diana Galbadon (read it again) – Actually, I am working on the final
installment of the 6 book series “Breath of Snow and Ashes.”
4. X-Men
comics by Marvel (not the movie).
Because they are incredible!!!
And I have just discovered that they are selling the 1st four
decades on dvd for $40.
5. David
Suzuki – the autobiography (because
Suzuki is amazing… the Greatest Canadian – still living… and because a signed
copy was gifted to me as a present).
6. The
Golden Spruce (winner of the GG award for non-fiction, shortlisted for the BC
Book Prize for non-fiction but BC Book Prize winner for best regional, and
shortlisted for One Book One Vancouver…. Because I bought the book, love Haida
Gwaii… and author
7. Da
Vinci Code – The Illustrated Version (not the movie).. in case you still
haven’t read it… because the pictures are cool.
8. There
is a Season by Patrick Lane… (because it is the One Book One Vancouver choice
after all).
How am I doing with my summer reading list so far?
I looked at the “1001” books in the Chapters bookstore.
I am currently working through “Breath of Snow and Ashes.”
I re-read some X-Men, Batman and Spiderman (where Spidey marries Mary Jane Watson) again.
I was amazed at Da Vinci Code… finishing it just after the time the movie came out… in anticipation of going to see it
Kilts Night at Doolin's Irish Pub – 1st Thursday of every month.
Kilts Night at Doolin's Irish Pub – 1st Thursday of every month.
This Thursday, we shall wear our kilts and hoist of dram of Scotch to the memory of Dugald Christie.
Sadly, the Scottish born Christie, was killed on his bicycle at 6pm
near Sault Ste. Marie, while riding to raise awareness for legal aid,
and had planned to present a petition to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
I shall join my friends Bear, Raphael, and members of the Gung Haggis
Fat Choy dragon boat team. We shall wear our kilts and recieve a
FREE pint of Guiness for our fashion choice.
Live music is performed by the Halifax Wharf Rats – a lively band
specializing in East Coast maritime tunes plus some great Celtic tinged
surprises.
Doolin's Irish
Pub
654 Nelson Street at Granville Street Vancouver BC
See below for Kilts night related
stories on www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com
Dugald Christie, the crusading lawyer for accessibility, was killed while cycling across Canada
Dugald Christie, the crusading lawyer for accessibility, was killed while cycling across Canada
Dugald Christie at the Supreme Court of Canada in August 2000.
(Fred Chartrand/Canadian Press)
Dugald Christie was born in Scotland, and still spoke with a soft
Scottish accent. On Monday morning, I learned of his tragic death
while
listening to CBC Radio One. Kathryn Gretzinger, substitute host
for the Early Edition, recalled an earlier visit by him when she
used to
host the Afternoon Show. She interviewed one of Christie's
friends, and a fellow lawyer.
Dugald was a tireless supporter of accessibility for legal services for
the people less able to afford it. He was a very interesting man,
who definitely was “one of a kind” – and yet, you wished that there
were more of him in the world. Sadly, Dugald was hit by a truck,
while riding his bicycle near Sault Ste. Marie, while on a cross-Canada
journey to Ottawa to raise awareness for equal access to legal
assistance. He had been visiting cities along his tour to
collect
signatures for his “Access Justice” petition which he planned to
present
to Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Ottawa.
Dugald Christie was also a poet, and he read some of his poems at the January 17, 2006 Gung Haggis Fat Choy World Poetry Night, at the Vancouver Public Library. I am sorry now, that I didn't write more about Dugald than the following: “Scottish-born poet Dugald Christie, also a Civil Rights lawyer read both
his own poems and a bit of Burns.”
I also wrote about Dugald being presented with a Lifetime Achievement award for the Feb 11, 2006 World Poetry Gala ”
Dugald Christie, whom I first met last month at the Gung Haggis Fat
Choy World Poetry evening, told some revealing stories about himself
including his frustrations with the Canadian justice system, as well as
racial and social inequity in Canada. The Honourable Mr. Justice
Duncan Shaw, BC Supreme Court Justice, introduced him by telling a
story about how Christie had rode a bicycle from Vancouver to Ottawa in
order to burn his robes on the front steps of Parliament.”
He
was a very interesting man… and we had great conversation talking
that night we met. He was very amused by the concept of a Robbie Burns
Chinese New Year's Dinner. I thank Ariadne Sawyer and Alejandro
Mujica-Olea, hosts of World Poetry Night events at the Vancouver Public
Library, for introducing me to Dugald. May he rest in peace, glad
that he helped to make our world a better place.
See below for news stories on Dugald and about his accident:
BC legal crusader killed in cycling accidentVancouver lawyer Dugald Christie has been killed on a highway in northern Ontario
while cycling across Canada to raise awareness of legal assistance for the …
www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/
CBC OttawaMore on the cycling death of Dugald Christie
SooToday.com –
By David Helwig. Earlier today, SooToday.com told you about the death of Vancouver lawyer Dugald Christie last night in a cycling accident near Iron Bridge. …
Dugald Christie died on a years-long mission of conscience drove …
The Tragic Death of Mr. Dugald Christie –
Law Society of BC mourns the loss of Dugald Christie
Welcome to the Vancouver Courier – On Line – News
BCCN: Dugald Christie: a modern-day Robin Hood?HIS TRUSTY steed may not quite resemble a magnificent stallion, but Dugald Christie
rides his 21-speed mountain bike with the same purpose and determination …
www.canadianchristianity.com/
Joy Kogawa featured in Kyoto Journal: Ten Thousand Things
Joy Kogawa featured in Kyoto Journal: Ten Thousand Things
Here's an interesting article about Joy Kogawa and the
saving of Kogawa House. There are quotes from Joy, Bill Turner,
Christ Kurata and myself.
http://www.kyotojournal.org/10,000things/044.html
I particularly like the title of Ten Thousand Things for “multicultural webfinds”
How fitting that it should find www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com and www.kogawahouse.com
Ten
Thousand Things
Multicultural
Webfinds, by Jean Miyake Downey
“Ten
Thousand Things” is a Buddhist expression representing the dynamic
interconnection and simultaneous unity and diversity of everything in
the universe.
Gung Haggis Fat Choy invades Gilbert & Sullivan's “The Mikado” in Vernon production
Gung Haggis Fat Choy invades Gilbert & Sullivan's “The Mikado” in Vernon production
It's not everyday, that a world class baritone opera singer and
director offers “product placement” for a production of Gilbert &
Sullivan's opera “The Mikado.” But that is exactly what happened
in Vernon, BC, on July 22, 2006.
Damon Nestor Ploumis, baritone of great renown, was guest director of “The Mikado” for the Okanagan Vocal Arts Fesival, for which he also played the role of Pooh Bah. Additionally he sang the role of Bartolo in Nozze di Figaro.
Our dragon boat team, Gung Haggis Fat Choy, was attending the Greater Vernon Dragon Boat Races,
and we went to visit the family home of our drummer, “The
Martin's.” Bill Martin is also a member of the board for OVAF,
and annually billets students and staff at his lakeside home.
What happens when dragon boats and opera collide?
The Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner has seen its' share of opera singers, as soprano Heather Pawsey
performed at the 2004 and 2005 dinners, and soprano Veera Devi Khare
also performed at the 2005 dinner. But while opera singers have
performed on the Gung Haggis Fat Choy stage, never before has Gung
Haggis Fat Choy been represented on an opera stage. That is…
until Damon Nestor Ploumis came along and offered product placement.
It is a tradition in Gilbert & Sullivan performances to work in
local references into each production. Hence the McAdo sign –
complete with “golden arches” in the Vernon production. Damon
loved the concept of Gung Haggis Fat Choy, and had been hearing about
it during his stay at the Martin's residence.
Damon Nestor Ploumis sings the role of Pooh Bah wearing Gung Haggis Fat Choy team shirt and kilt.
– photo by TD from http://www.tdineurope.smugmug.com/gallery/1712950/1/84436176
Look closely at the above photo to see Baritone singer Damon Nestor
Ploumis performing as “Pooh Bah” in the Okanagan Vocal Arts Festival
production of “The Mikado,” wearing the uniform of the Gung Haggis Fat
Choy dragon boat team. You can clearly see the gold coins on the
top, and the Fraser Hunting Tartan kilt. Unfortunately, Damon had
to do “quick costume changes” and was unable to go fully traditionally
Scots, by wearing his shorts underneath. Hopefully this
experience has inspired Damon to purchase his own kilt, as he really
enjoyed wearing the tartan. We did give him the Gung Haggis team
shirt as a thank you for the product placement, and to encourage him to
take “Gung Haggis Fat Choy” to the world, and to host his own dinners
in Finland and/or Germany, wherever he may find himself come January
25th, Robbie Burns Day.
Here's a picture of me and Deb in our team uniform with matching kilts.
Below is a picture of Bill Martin, playing a very minor role in the
Mikado. I've only been dating his daughter for three years, and
the asianification process is now almost complete!
Bill Martin in a cameo “walk on” part for The Mikado in Vernon, BC.
– photo by TD http://tdineurope.smugmug.com/gallery/1712950/3