"Let's Do Dim Sum" Networking Brunch

NEW - Members Only Program

"Let's Do Dim Sum" brings fellow NAAAP members together, in small groups of 6 to 8 people, to network and socialize over some delicious dim sum!

The dim sum is meant to be as time-effective as possible (after all, everyone has to eat), while encouraging and allowing members to meet other members, exchange business cards, personal contacts and information relating to their specific industries.

You may meet other people in your field, or learn something new about a completely different industry. You may meet someone to go golfing with or someone for a quick coffee. You may learn about job opportunities, or be able to give guidance to others interested in your field. The topics of conversation are endless!

TO REGISTER:
As this is a members only program, the only requirement to participate is to have a NAAAP Vancouver membership, in good standing.

To register send an email to: membership@naaap.bc.ca

Once we receive your email, you will be placed in a group of 6 to 8 other NAAAP members. You will be emailed details on your group and your dim sum location. Your group and location will be different each month. Locations will not be posted, as this is an exclusive members only benefit.

"Let's Do Dim Sum" is currently slated for the second Sunday of each month, so mark your calendars!

There is no fee for this event, the only cost is your dim sum. We anticipate dim sum to be $10-15/person depending on location.

Should you have any questions or suggested dim sum locations, please email us at: membership@naaap.bc.ca.

Where: Sun Sui Wah Seafood Restaurant
3888 Main St
Vancouver - East Side

Starts: Sun, Feb 13th 2005 10:15 AM
Ends: Sun, Feb 13th 2005 11:30 AM
Price: 15.00 (members)
n/a (non-members)

http://www.naaap.bc.ca/

MIRROR OF DREAMS

Poems by Ashok Bhargava
Kaiyean Publisher, Seoul
Republic of Korea

Date: Monday, January 31, 2005
Time: 7:15 PM
Place: Alice Mackay Room
Vancouver Public Library, Lower Level
350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC

PROGRAM:
Greetings Dr. George Joseph, Consulate General of India
Mr. Choong-joo Choi, Consulate General of South Korea
Acharya S.P. Dwivedi
Pastor Byung Sap Van
Ariadne Sawyer
Mr. Yo Sang Song

Dance: Korean Heritage Group – Children Dance
Panjabi Bhangra by Ami Ghuman

Song: Ms. Barbara McMillan
Mayo Landicho
Sal & Pancho

Poets: Reading from Mirror of Dreams
Bonnie Nish
Bong Ja Ahn
Nan Hee Park
Shulamit Joffre

Tenor: Chi Woong Kim

Information: Jim Wong-Chu

Snacks / Book signing.

R.S.V.P.: Arnel, Neil or Aida at 604-322-6244 or please confirm by email

In Mirror of Dreams Ashok Bhargava writes about the infinite possibilities of dreams and cultures converging to surprising consequences, lovely and adventurous. He writes about simple sentiments that memorialize his experiences as a tourist and recalls the story of a sixteen-year-old princess of Ayodhya (India) who sailed to Korea to marry King Kim Suro, two thousand years ago.

Last President Kim Dae Jung and Prime Minister Jong Pil Kim of the Republic of Korea claim to be descendants of princess of India and King Suro.

ACCP Chinese New Year Dinner - The Year of the Rooster

To celebrate the Year of the Rooster, ACCP will be hosting a Chinese New Year dinner on February 15th, featuring a keynote speech by our Honorary Advisor Dr. Milton Wong. Dr. Wong will share his experiences and lessons learnt along the way to becoming a successful Chinese professional thriving in Canadian society. Bring your business card for door prize draw.

About Dr. Milton Wong...

Dr. Wong is currently SFU's Chancellor and Chairman of HSBC Asset Management Canada Ltd. He is known for his extensive community involvement and philanthropy; He is the founding Chairman of the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival, and is Deputy Chair of the BC Cancer Foundation Millennium Campaign. He has received numerous awards including the Order of Canada. He has worked as a key fundraiser for organizations such as YMCA, Salvation Army and Science World. He also founded the Laurier Institution, a non-profit organization focusing on the economic and social implications of cultural diversity.

Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Time: Reception at 6 pm ; Dinner starts 6:30 pm

Venue: Floata Seafood Restaurant 4380 No. 3 Rd, Richmond

Cost: $35 Members ; $40 Non-Members

Reservation: Contact Trix Law at 604-261-1234 ext.106 or trixlaw@lohandco.com on or before February 11th.

Chinese airlines announce purchase of 60 Boeing jetliners in US$7.3B deal

WASHINGTON (AP) - At least a half-dozen Chinese airlines have agreed to order 60 of Boeing Co.'s 7E7 jetliners in a deal that could be worth as much as $7.2 billion US at list prices.

A signing ceremony was held Friday at the U.S. Commerce Department for what would be the largest firm order to date for Boeing's new fuel-efficient jet, which will be able to fly directly to China from a host of American cities.

The announcement gives Chicago-based Boeing a boost in its competition with European rival Airbus SAS for business in China, the world's fastest-growing airplane market.

The first of the jetliners will be delivered in 2008, Xiamen Airlines Co. said in a statement Friday.

Aerospace analyst Richard Aboulafia with the Fairfax, Va.-based Teal Group said the large order from a broad swath of Chinese airlines is "a validation of Boeing's market approach," which emphasizes the flexibility and fuel efficiency of the new 7E7.

The 7E7 "had a very strong appeal to the Chinese," Aboulafia said. "Right now there are very few direct flights to Beijing or Shanghai from the U.S. Most of them stop somewhere."

The Chinese order was also seen, in part, as an effort to deflect criticism about China's swelling trade gap with the United States. The U.S. trade deficit through November was $147 billion, the largest trade deficit the United States has with any country.

Besides Xiamen, the orders are expected from China Southern, China Eastern, Air China, Hainan, and Shanghai airlines.

The 7E7 Dreamliner, which is to go into service in 2008, competes with the A350 being developed by Airbus. The Toulouse, France-based company expects to put its plane into service by 2010.

At the end of last year, Boeing had firm orders for 56 of the planes and tentative agreements for an additional 70 planes.

Boeing's twin-aisle Dreamliner comes in three models, able to seat between 223 and 296 passengers with a range of more than 15,700 kilometres. Boeing says it will be 20 per cent more fuel-efficient than comparable airplanes on the market today.

Boeing has said the 7E7 will be priced at about $120 million, though airlines usually negotiate discounts for large orders. The plane will be assembled in Everett, Wash., about 48 kilometres north of Seattle.

The largest order by a single airline for the 7E7 was placed last spring, when All Nippon Airways of Japan ordered 50.

In another development Friday, China Southern Airlines signed an order for five Airbus A380 "superjumbos," a major breakthrough for the European aircraft maker in one of the world's most promising aircraft markets.

China Southern's chairman Liu Shaoyong and Airbus CEO Noel Forgeard inked the deal, worth $1.4 billion at a ceremony hosted by French Transport Minister Gilles de Robien.

© The Canadian Press, 2005

Chinese jetliner takes off on first flight to Taiwan by carrier since 1949

BEIJING (AP) - Chinese jetliners carrying Taiwanese took off Saturday on the first flights to rival Taiwan by mainland carriers since the two sides split amid civil war in 1949.

An Air China Boeing 737, carrying about 300 passengers, was the first to take off, leaving Beijing's Capital Airport at 8 a.m. local time. Minutes later, a Hainan Airlines plane took off from the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou. In Taiwan's capital, Taipei, a jetliner flying for the island's largest carrier, China Airlines, took off with about 300 passengers bound for Beijing.

Beijing and Taipei arranged 48 such flights for the Lunar New Year holiday, the most important event in the traditional Chinese calendar.

They mark a rare break in feuding across the Taiwan Strait, one of the world's most dangerous potential flashpoints.

Taiwan has banned Chinese airlines from flying to the island since 1949. Taipei worries that Chinese bombers and troop planes disguised as airliners might be used to attack the island, about 160 kilometres off the mainland's southern coast.

But Taiwanese businesses that have invested more than $100 billion US on the mainland are lobbying their government to end the ban, complaining that travel by way of Hong Kong or another third point is too time-consuming and costly.

© The Canadian Press, 2005

Short Film Looking for South Asian Actors (Non-Union)

Exterior: Hatred
By Thomas Marchese

The 2nd short film in the trilogy exploring how race, ethnicity and
faith drive a wedge between people in the supposedly multicultural
Canadian society. The 1st film starred up & coming actor Dylan
Ramsey and played at Film 101 and Quintus: Montreal Italian film festival.

In Hatred, a religious difference causes Rekha to coldly push away Amit.

Rekha: mid twenties South Asian-Canadian female
Amit: late twenties South Asian-Canadian male

The film is non-union and non-paying.

Auditions will be held on Feb. 6th from 11am-6pm at Central Studios,
680 Yonge St. To book, call (416) 841-7762.

NSI FilmExchange Pitching Workshop Call for Entry

Every day, creative individuals across the country come up with
great ideas for feature films, television movies, or new television series.
How can they turn these dreams into reality? With the NSI 2005 Pitch to Win
Workshop with Kit Redmond! This workshop was created specially to sharpen
the skills needed to pitch a project to industry executives and funders.

Up to six selected participants/teams from across Canada will be accepted to
receive training in the 2005 Pitch to Win with Kit Redmond program at
National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI) FilmExchange Canadian Film
Festival. Then on Saturday, March 5, 2005 three of those participants/teams
will go on to pitch their projects to Kit Redmond and a panel of film and
television industry executives. Each pitch will be critiqued and analyzed so
each participant will know what went right and what went wrong with their
pitch. The room will be open to other Festival delegates who will also
benefit from the commentary.

Kit Redmond is a seasoned executive producer and media executive; Partner
and Vice President of RTR Media; and a consultant through her firm, Keep
Rolling Productions. Kit heads the National Screen Institute’s Totally
Television Program and is Vice-Chair of the Toronto chapter of Women in Film
and Television. Creator of the Innoversity Open Door Pitch, Kit has worked
for and with television networks across Canada and the United States,
including CBC Television and Radio, Newsworld, WTN, History Television,
CHUM, Rogers, APTN, Life, Oxygen, and CTV.

Ms Redmond is excited to be part of this year’s Industry Centre line-up. “I
look forward to being at NSI FilmExchange and working with the participants
to help them build their skills and confidence. Pitching to the industry
panel will be an invaluable experience for them and the audience.”

Applications and more information are available for download at
http://www.nsi-canada.ca/filmexchange. The deadline for submissions is
Friday, February 11, 2005 at noon Central Time. Selected applicants will be
notified by February 18.

The National Screen Institute – Canada, with headquarters in Winnipeg, is
one of Canada’s four nationally recognized film and television training
schools. Every March in Winnipeg, NSI presents NSI FilmExchange Canadian
Film Festival, the largest established film festival showcasing 100%
Canadian short and feature films. “Canada’s Coolest Film Festival” offers an
exciting collection of films, master classes, industry sessions, great
parties, National Exposure Amateur Movie Contest, and SnowScreen, an outdoor
movie screen carved out of snow!

The Cold Reading Series

No rehearsals. This is live.

CALL FOR 2005 SUBMISSIONS:

We're well into programming our 2005 season. Send up to 20 pages of your short, feature, play, pilot, or diary to lori@coldreadingseries.com right away! Be sure to include your contact info -- especially your telephone number & availability.

The Cold Reading Series
No rehearsals. This is live.
THE FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH: Feb. 3rd
Doors: 7:15, Casting: 7:30, Curtain: 8:00
The Anza Club: 8th @ Ontario St.
Web: http://www.coldreadingseries.com
Email: info@coldreadingseries.com
Script submissions: lori@coldreadingseries.com

IMU Presents Big Tall Garden, Lal, Oceanic, Mary Ancheta & No Luck Club

Jan 28 Fri 8pm
$10 Tix available at the door
The Media Club
695 Cambie, Vancouver

Big Tall Garden - Be sure to come out and take in the return of Big Tall Garden! After an extended break, Big Tall Garden will once again take the stage. Their truly original sound has been compared to everyone from Neil Young and They Might Be Giants to the Violent Femmes and The Police. With three releases under their belts and countless shows played. Everywhere from old-folks homes to the Commodore to opening for Mike Watt and fIREHOSE at The Town Pump. Don't miss this chance to see all three original members, Duane Murrin, Jon Frederiksen and Hamish Thomson reunited on stage at The Media Club for a very special night!

Oceanic - draws more inspiration from the electronic and groove based music worlds than from traditional rock n' roll. Their fusion of ambient guitars, samples and keyboard textures captures the mind while their relentless rhythms move the body.

Lal's - Be sure to catch this Montreal-based band tonight as their collective influences and organic sounds blend together to create a unique blend of electronic-worldbeat.

Mary Ancheta - showcases a heady mixture of British influenced soul music, live drum and bass with uplifting anthemic choruses.

No Luck Club a self-proclaimed strange brew of jazz, funk, hip hop, scratching, humour, tall tales and low bass, the No Luck Club create beat driven sound collages.

http://www.themediaclub.ca/

Tsunami Song Petition - Over 16900 signatures received

Here's the petition:

To: Emmis Communications

For the last week New York's Hot 97 has been running a hideously unfunny and offensive skit named the "Tsunami Song," that ridicules the victims of the Tsunami as "chinks" whose children will now be sold into child slavery. It's being played on the station's morning show, hosted by Miss Jones.

Here are some choice lyrics:
"..All at once you could hear the screaming chinks
and no one was safe from the wave
there were africans drowning, little chinamen swept away
you could hear god laughing, "swim you bitches swim"
So now you're screwed, it's the Tsunami
you better run or kiss your ass away, go find your mommy
I just saw her float by, a tree went through her head
and now the children will be sold to child slavery..."

We the undersigned are disgusted by this blatant display of racism and insensitivity to a world tragedy. We asked that the world community join in expressing our displeasure to HOT 97 and its parent company, Emmis Communications. We find that their responses to our numerous emails have been lackluster and unimpressive compared to the amount of ignorance they so proudly displayed and purported as comedy.

We would also like to make the companies that choose to give their advertising dollars to Emmis Communications and its affiliates aware of the type of company they are supporting and how their advertising dollars are being spent, and more importantly how their target audience perceives this ordeal.

Sincerely,
Undersigned

http://www.petitiononline.com/tsunmai7/



Here's the fallout:

New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com
How could they make fun of such a tragedy?
BY FRANK LOMBARDI
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Tuesday, January 25th, 2005

Hip-hop radio station HOT 97 has sparked outrage across the city by airing a twisted song that shockingly mocks the 200,000 victims of the South Asian tsunami.
The radio station, WQHT, was forced to air an apology yesterday after the insulting song - whose lyrics include racial epithets aimed at Asians - was played for four days last week by morning deejay Miss Jones.

"We are absolutely appalled, saddened, outraged and angered," said Kai Yu of Asian Media Watch.

The nasty parody, sung to the tune of "We Are the World," makes light of how the killer tsunami "washed your whole country away."

Some of the other tasteless lyrics refer jokingly to orphaned children being sold into slavery.

"You're sick," City Councilman Robert Jackson (D-Manhattan) fumed at HOT 97.

Before one airing of the song, the station's news reader, Miss Info, who is of Asian descent, objected to the song, only to be attacked by Jones and her cohorts.

"That song is really offensive to me, and I opted not to involve myself," Miss Info said.

Jones replied, "I know you feel you're superior because you're Asian, but you're not." Later, co-host Todd Lyn, incensed at Miss Info's criticism, said, "I'm going to start shooting Asians."

Councilman John Liu (D-Queens) said it was outrageous that the station, owned by Emmis Communications Corp., aired the song for four days.

"It degrades the more than 200,000 victims," Liu said.

Liu and other Asian leaders have called for the Federal Communications Commission to crack down on the station and demanded that Miss Jones, whose full name is Tarsha Jones, be fired.

Jones and program director John Dimick both read apologies on the air yesterday.

"HOT 97 regrets the airing of material that made light of a serious and tragic event," Dimick said. "We apologize to our listeners and anyone who was offended."

Jones and six people working on her show will donate a week of their salaries to tsunami relief, Dimick said.

But Dimick refused to say whether Jones would be fired.



Other headlines:

Call for federal fines, more apologies after station airs 'We Are the World' parody offensive to Asians

Sprint and McDonalds Pulling Ads from HOT97

Tsunami Song Sparks Outrage Toward Local Radio Station



Here's the response:

Statement from WQHT-FM, HOT 97

New York City - Miss Jones and the HOT 97 Morning team have been indefinitely suspended for the airing of a song that made light of a catastrophic event, as well as comments made at the time the song was aired.

Earlier this week, Miss Jones said on the air "I apologize to all who have been offended by my poor decision to go along with playing that insulting (to say the least) Tsunami song. I should have known better and I didn't. So I'm sorry and hopefully we can move forward from this, or I can move forward from this being a better hostess, because I am better than that, and I know better than that -- and you deserve better radio than that."

While Miss Jones has apologized on the air, in the media and on the HOT 97 website, station management felt that stronger action was necessary to demonstrate the severity of the situation.

Emmis Radio and HOT 97 will not tolerate such derogatory and racially insensitive content. This incident in no way reflects the spirit of HOT 97. The station has a long-time and well-known reputation for community involvement and support.

Emmis Radio President Rick Cummings said, "What happened is morally and socially indefensible. All involved, myself included, are ashamed and deeply sorry. I know the members of the morning show are truly contrite. They know their actions here are inexcusable."

We would like to clarify that no company advertising on our station had any connection to the Tsunami Song and no company advertising on our station endorsed or sponsored the offensive material aired on the "Miss Jones in the Morning" show. We apologize for any misunderstanding that may have caused listeners to believe that anyone, other than the morning show staff, was responsible for the material that should not have been aired.

http://www.hot97.com/


More details and reaction: http://www.asianmediawatch.net/missjones/index.html

Korean Creep-out Cinema! A TALE OF TWO SISTERS Opens in Toronto

Ultra 8 Pictures presents

A TALE OF TWO SISTERS
Director: JI-WOON KIM (SOUTH KOREA; 2003; 35MM; 115 min.; COLOR)
Opening January 28th at The Royal Cinema and February 4 at The Paradise Cinema
Visit www.festivalcinemas.com for showtimes

Recent films hailing from the Far East such as Thailand's THE EYE and Japan's JU-ON and RINGU have contributed to the wave of Asian horror films that has washed over international critics and the general public alike (Hollywood's remakes of RINGU as THE RING and JU-ON as THE GRUDGE are undeniable proof of the genre's sudden wide appeal). A TALE OF TWO SISTERS is the South Korean cousin of this twisted, eerie family of films. Two teenage sisters return to their Gothic countryside home, after being treated in a mental clinic following their mother's death. They receive a frigid welcome, both from their dad who remains emotionally distant, and from their stepmother who mistreats them. But this is the least of the sisters? worries: an ominous presence in the house manifests itself, determined to expose the truth of their mother's horrible demise. The blood-drenched dance of death is about to begin? A TALE OF TWO SISTERS is one of the most immaculately crafted films in recent Asian horror history: Combining a lush, textured visual style and exceptional sound design, Ji-Woon Kim has created a tightly-knit, suffocating world offering little respite: the tranquil countryside home soon becomes a place of sheer terror. Be forewarned: you'll never look at wallpaper the same way again?

Check out the trailer for it here: http://films.tartanfilmsusa.com/ataleoftwosisters

Kim Jee-woon was born in Seoul in 1964. He began his career as a stage actor and director before becoming a film director, acclaimed both in South Korea and internationally. Not only have his films been showcased at some of the world? most prestigious film festivals, but they have also become box office sensations in Korea. A TALE OF TWO SISTERS was the third highest grossing film in Korea in 2003. Filmography: Three ( 2002), Coming Out (2001), The Foul King (2000), The Quiet Family (1998)

A TALE OF TWO SISTERS plays the following dates:
At The Royal Cinema
Friday, January 28th - 9:20pm
Saturday, January 29th - 9:20pm
Sunday, January 30th - 7:00pm
Monday, January 31 - 7:00pm
Tuesday, February 1 - 9:10pm
Wednesday, February 2 - 9:10pm
Thursday, February 3 - 9:30pm

The Royal Cinema is at 608 College Street, 4 1/2 blocks west of Bathurst Street, between Clinton Street and Grace Street. Box Office opens 30 minutes before showtime. Price is $6 for Members, $8 without membership card. Grab a REEL DEAL card and get 5 movies for $20! Call (416) 516-4845 for showtimes. Check out the full Festival Cinema schedule at http://www.festivalcinemas.com

At The Paradise Cinema
Friday, February 4 - 7:00pm
Saturday, February 5 - 7:00pm
Sunday, February 6 - 9:10pm

The Paradise Cinema is at 1006 Bloor Street West, 2 blocks west of Ossington subway station. Price is $6 for Members, $8 without membership card. Grab a REEL DEAL card and get 5 movies for $20! Call (416) 516-4845 for showtimes. Check out the full Festival Cinema schedule at http://www.festivalcinemas.com

ottawater: a city of romantics & optimists

Published to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of the City of Ottawa,
Canada's glorious capital city, "ottawater," and its chemical formula/logo
"O2(H2O)," is a brand new poetry annual produced exclusively on-line, in
both readable and printable pdf formats. An anthology focusing on Ottawa
poets and poetics, its first issue appears in January 2005, 150 years
after old Bytown became the City of Ottawa. Long seen as a town made only
of bureaucrats and technocrats, and a more conservative poetics,
"ottawater" simply wants to remind us of what work is happening, and has
been happening for years, despite government types announcing every few
years that the arts in Ottawa is about to begin. We say instead: we have
always been here.

Edited by Ottawa writer rob mclennan, the first issue features work by
various residents current and former, in both readable and printable pdf
formats, including: Stephen Brockwell, George Elliott Clarke, Anita
Dolman, Tamara Fairchild, Laurie Fuhr, Gwendolyn Guth, William Hawkins,
Matthew Holmes, Clare Latremouille, rob mclennan, Max Middle, Peter
Norman, Monty Reid, Chris Turnbull and Ewan Whyte, interviews with poets
John Barton and Max Middle, and reviews of work by Stephen Brockwell,
Peter Norman and Shane Rhodes, as well as artwork by Derrick Lacelle, Don
Monet, Jeremy Reid, Jennifer Kwong, Sarah Dobbin, Juan Carlos Noria and
designer Tanya Sprowl.

The launch party will be happening on Thursday, February 3rd at the
Mercury Lounge, 56 Byword Street, Ottawa, from 8pm to 10pm, lovingly
hosted by rob mclennan, who David Gladstone called "the poet laureate of
Centretown Ottawa" in 1996 in The Centretown Buzz. There will be short
readings by various of the contributors, including Gwendolyn Guth, Max
Middle, Anita Dolman, Chris Turnbull and Peter Norman. After the readings,
stick around and have a drink, as the program to follow is resident dj
Trevor Walker hosting Mui Afro Funke, playing latin and African influenced
musics, jazz funk, and house music later on into the night.

You can find the first issue at www.ottawater.com/

Rice-Cafe.com presents "A Night to Remember"

February 5th, 2005

(A benefit Concert in support of tsunami relief)

Rice Cafe would like to extend an invitation to all of you our brothers and sisters for a benefit concert featuring our local asian artists such as Chisai Jackson, Fergus Chow, Keith Javier, Rodney Ronquillo, Moulann, Emilio Basa and more surprise guests. We also have janice Golding from CTV to appear as the guest speaker of the evening. The evening will be hosted by the Rice Cafe & Ricebitz Group (www.rice-cafe.com & www.ricebitz.com), you can expect an evening of music, dancing and an appreciation for our ability to give back to those in need.

We are hoping to raise money to donate to companies such as the Canadian Red Cross for the Tsunami Relief funds.

This event will be held at Mr Slates Sports Bar located at 952 Kingston Rd East (Victoria Park and Kingston Rd.) 8pm til closing. Saturday, February 5, 2005

Travelling World Community Film Festival

February 11th – 13th, 2005 at Langara College

With 30 films, 5 speakers’ panels, and a Social Justice Bazaar, you’ll be informed and engaged both on-screen and off. Film choices include the stories of:

our dependency on depleting oil supplies;
gay marriage;
a South African bush tribe which owns the source of a possible anti-fat pill;
the politics behind media, corporations, and terrorism; and
inspiring positive action.

Opening night film: Scared Sacred, by Velcrow Ripper

AWARENESS - Thirty Films
ANALYSIS – Five Panel Discussions; Open Conversation Space
ACTION AND COLLABORATION – Social Justice Bazaar

Tickets available soon at:
Langara College Continuing Studies, 604-323-5323;
People's Co-op Bookstore, 1391 Commercial Drive; and
10,000 Villages, 2909 W. Broadway

For details or to volunteer, contact:
Mali Bain, Film Festival Coordinator
604-708-1495 ext 116
filmfest@codev.org or www.codev.org/filmfest

Ken Lum: Works with Photography

A twenty-year retrospective of Canadian artist Ken Lum’s internationally renowned photo-based works exploring issues of identity.

Through March 6
Visit www.thepowerplant.org for further details.

In Pieces

Rachael Wong (Glass) & Gillian E. Batcher (Metal)

A visual dialogue exploring colour, form and connective processes, with the creation of metal work that fits into blown glass (which becomes functional jewellery separate from the glass work) and glass work that fits into jewellery.
Studio Works

Harbourfront Centre is committed to presenting relevant exhibitions of a diverse nature to add to the growing discourse about contemporary craft. Building on our usual exhibitions, we will reach out to the broader craft community with a biennial curated exhibition inviting curators to examine, write about and explore different perspectives of contemporary craft.

http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com
Info: info@harbourfrontcentre.com

Mayworks Festival CALL FOR VISUAL ART

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: MARCH 23, 2005

Working Images : “Mayworks, milestones, and me”
An annual exhibit of worker’s art

Working Images 2005 is an annual visual art exhibit presented by Mayworks Festival consisting of workers who are also visual artists.
Mayworks at 20! We invite submissions of all visual art including photography, paintings, drawings, posters, prints, mixed media, sculpture and installation art.

“Mayworks, milestones, and me”
20 years of work, struggle, successes, and turning points. As Mayworks Festival celebrates its twentieth anniversary, we invite all workers who share our labour-positive, socially conscious vision to submit artwork that reflects on 20 years of struggles/gains/successes.

Mayworks means many things. Picket lines, strike support, union hall meetings. Speaking out against the exploitation and unfair working conditions of domestic workers, immigrants, and newcomers through visual art, popular theatre, and cabarets. Sex workers’ rights. Storefront window exhibits on women’s work. Accessibility issues. Education campaigns. Anti-war and anti-racism forums. Songs of union choirs. Queer Cabarets. Anti-globalization efforts. Demanding health and safety for all workers.

1985 to 2005. What do the past 20 years mean? For unionists, for people working under unfair working conditions, for social justice movements, for artists, for women, for workers, for youth, for visionaries.

Show and tell us what Mayworks at 20! means to you.

To submit:

1. Send, bring, or e-mail any of the following: slides, photographs/snapshots, high-resolution digital images of your submission or previous artwork, and/or a written description; multiple entries permitted.
2. Include your name, address, telephone number, e-mail (if available).
3. A brief bio about yourself and union affiliation if applicable.
4. A description about your artwork and its relevance to Mayworks’ 20th anniversary.

Send to:

Mayworks Festival
25 Cecil Street
Toronto, ON M5T 1N1
e-mail: visual@mayworks.ca
For more info, e-mail: visual@mayworks.ca or contact the Mayworks office at 416-599-9096

*All submissions must be received via e-mail or at the Mayworks office by March 23, 2005*

Mayworks Festival of Working People and the Arts: April 30 – May 8, 2005 € mayworks.ca

Japan's sport, sumo struggles with identity crises

TOKYO (AP) - Japan is slowly losing a grip on its national sport. Grand champion Asashoryu lifted the Emperor's Cup on Sunday for his 10th career title, marking the sixth time in the last seven tournaments that the Mongolian wrestler has taken home sumo's top prize.

Only one Japanese wrestler - ozeki-ranked Kaio - captured the silverware last year. But what's more alarming to sumo purists is that Japan hasn't produced a grand champion since Takanohana retired in 2003 and the prospects for the future aren't promising.

"I just hope to keep performing at this level so I can please my fans," Asashoryu said after producing a perfect 15-0 record at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. "This is the perfect way to start the year."

While Asashoryu's winning streak may be pleasing to his fans, sumo's hierarchy can't be too satisfied.

"Obviously, we'd like to have a Japanese grand champion," said Japan Sumo Association public relations manager Uragoro Takasago. "Everyone is trying their best and that's all you can ask."

In the New Year tourney, a total of 11 out of the 42 wrestlers competing in the elite makuuchi division - sumo's version of the major leagues - were foreign born.

The three Japanese wrestlers who are closest to grand champion - ozekis Kaio, Chiyotaikai and Tochiazuma - have had numerous chances to reach the top but have never been able to fulfil the requirements for promotion.

It isn't the first time that non-Japanese have made their mark in sumo but the overwhelming dominance of Asashoryu and the sheer number of foreign wrestlers moving up the ranks no doubt has sumo's hierarchy in a quandary.

A decade ago, a trio of Hawaiian wrestlers - grand champions Akebono, Musashimaru and ozeki Konishiki - made their presence felt on the raised ring.

Musashimaru, who retired in 2004 after winning 12 Emperor's Cups, was the most successful foreign wrestler ever but, barring major injury, Asashoryu will surpass his achievements this year.

And unlike the Hawaiian wave of the 1990s, this current influx of overseas talent is multinational. Asashoryu leads a foreign invasion that includes fellow Mongolians, Russians, Bulgarians and South Koreans.

While Japanese baseball limits the number of foreigners who can compete, there is no such restrictions in sumo and some worry that Japanese wrestlers may gradually be forced out of the most prestigious, and lucrative, positions.

Even the lower ranks are dotted with foreign wrestlers.

So why the dearth of homegrown talent?

Asashoryu, who is only 24, thinks it's a matter of toughness and desire.

"I think a lot of the younger Japanese wrestlers lack toughness," Asashoryu said in a recent interview. "When I was growing up in Mongolia, conditions were harsh and that prepared me well for sumo."

Inspired by the likes of major league baseball's Ichiro Suzuki and Hidetoshi Nakata, who plays for Italian soccer team Fiorentina, many young Japanese athletes now dream of making it on the world stage rather than the closed world of sumo.

Others complain that a steady diet of computer games and junk food has left Japan's youth ill- equipped for the harsh realities of sumo's rigid system, which is bound by tradition and ritual.

After Asashoryu, 19-year-old Mongolian Hakuho is arguably the most promising wrestler in the sport. Hakuho, who has vaulted to the third highest rank of komusubi after making his makuuchi debut in May, 2004, went 11-4 in the New Year tourney to win the meet's Technique Award.

Other up-coming stars include Bulgarian Kotooshu, Russian Roho and South Korean Kasugao, who was in contention in the New Year tournament until Asashoryu clinched the title with two days remaining.

As the only yokozuna, or grand champion, some have argued that Asashoryu has benefited from a watered-down field, but Musashimaru says it has more to do with a lack of confidence among higher-ranked Japanese wrestlers.

"Right now, a lot Japanese wrestlers seem to lack the confidence," Musashimaru said. "I think Tochiazuma is the closest but he will have to work harder, as will all the others including Kaio and Chiyotaikai."

Sekiwake Tochiazuma went an impressive 11-4 in the New Year tourney and will return to ozeki - the sport's second highest rank - for the next tournament. Whether or not he can join Asashoryu at the top remains to be seen.

© The Canadian Press, 2005

CanAsian Dance Festival

February 19 – 27, 2005

Premiere Dance Theatre
207 Queens Quay West, 3rd Floor, Toronto, Ontario

Denise Fujiwara, Artistic Director

From tradition to innovation, this 5th biennial festival of rich culture fosters and promotes diverse expressions of Asian aesthetics through dance in Canada. International and local dance and music artists are highlighted including commissioned pieces by contemporary choreographer Andrea Nann in collaboration with erhu musician George Gao, and London-based choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh with bharatanatyam dancer Natasha Bakht.

Mainstage Programme A: February 23 & 25 at 8pm $28/$23*

Mainstage Programme B: February 24 & 26 at 8 pm $28/$23*

Asia Toronto Dances Matinee: February 27 at 3pm $23/$18*

Workshops & Master Classes: February 19-27

* Special rate available for groups of 6 or more = $20/ticket

For tickets call Harbourfront Centre Box Office: 416-973-4000
For more information including detailed festival workshop information,
please call 416-593-8455 or visit www.canasiandancefestival.com

Gung Haggis Fat Choy™ Canadian Games

Friday January 28, 2005

12:00 Noon Convocation Mall
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby BC

Imagine if the Scottish Highland Games became "Chinese-ified," or the Chinese dragon boat races became "Scottish-ized." What would happen if the same concepts that created Gung Haggis Fat Choy™: Toddish McWong's Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner were applied to an intramural event for Simon Fraser Unitiversity?Imagine an event where Scottish highland dancers share a stage with Chinese lion dancers, Scottish bagpipers play together with Chinese musicians.

Imagine a 7 person dragon boat on wheels being propelled around convocation mall with curling brooms.

Discover the Gung Haggis Fat Choy™ Canadian Games

ORIGINS
The SFU Gung Haggis Fat Choy Canadian Games first took shape when SFU Intramural Coordinator Geoff Vogt approached Gung Haggis Fat Choy™founder Todd Wong with the idea of creating a special event for SFU to bring the large Asian communities together with the Scottish heritage of SFU. Wong, who has attended the BC Highland Games and is himself very involved in Vancouver's dragon boat community, quickly came up with an intercultural concept based on a blending (or "bending") of the traditional Scottish Highland Games and Chinese sporting events, such as a dryland dragon boat race, propelled by curling brooms for "paddles." Thus was first born the idea of a dragon boat go-cart race, or Dragon-Cart Race.

Vogt subsequently had many staff meetings with SFU Recreation and also invited Todd Wong and other speakers from different cultural communities in for consultations and presentations. The Highland Games concept morphed into the "Canadian Games" and the Dragon Boat Go-Cart concept was chosen as the marquee event. These are now being built by Gung Haggis Productions, designed and built by Bob Brinson, who together with Todd Wong, coaches the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team.

Bob absolutely loved the idea, as he too has been involved with many dragon boat teams since 1988 and with the Dragon Boat Association, he has refinished the teak wood dragon boats originally donated to the City of Vancouver for Expo 86, by the Hong Kong Board of Tourism.The origins of Gung Haggis Fat Choy™ and Toddish McWong began one cold and snowy Winter's day on the Simon Fraser University Burnaby Mountain campus in 1993, when student tourguide, Todd Wong, was first asked to wear a kilt and help out with the annual Robbie Burns Day ceremony.

http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com

SHE SAID - Vancouver world premiere

SHE SAID is a new dance creation by Co. ERASGA Dance Society in
co-production with the Firehall Arts Centre.

The Vancouver world premiere will run from Wednesday, February 9 until
Saturday, February 12, 2005.

Formerly known as "Flesh and Blood", this new dance work will feature some of the city's most outstanding dancers: Delia Brett, Anne Cooper and Caroline Farquahar. Choreographer Alvin Erasga Tolentino works alongside Sound Designer Ted Hamilton, Lighting Designer James Proudfoot, and Videographer D-Anne Kuby Trepanier to create this feature, full-length work for the Firehall's 2004/05 dance season.

SHE SAID is a dramatic, choreographic symphony that links and blends together art images, music, texts, video and dances that demonstrate Tolentino's imagination and skill for multi-media, along with his play on the juxtaposition and integration of Western and Asian aesthetic culture.

SHE SAID builds itself around a strange communication and profound acceptance between three women who move compellingly through transformation, loss, doubt, satire, hope and defiance.

For tickets, contact the Firehall Arts Centre box office at 604-689-0926,
or visit www.firehallartscentre.ca.

For more information on Co. ERASGA Dance Society, call 604-687-6185,
or visit www.companyerasgadance.ca.

Showtimes: 8 pm nightly, February 9-12, 2005.
Countdown is three weeks (17 days) to Opening Night!

This production is made possible through the support of The Canada Council for the Arts, The BC Arts Council,The city of Vancouver, The Firehall Arts Theatre and all the patrons of Company Erasga Dance Society.

Canadian Wheat Board signs its largest-ever export deal with China

WINNIPEG (CP) - The Canadian Wheat Board has signed its largest-ever deal with China to export one million tonnes of milling wheat during the 2005-06 crop year.
The agreement between the wheat board and China National Cereals, Oil and Foodstuffs Import and Export Corp. is valued at about $250 million at today's prices, spokeswoman Louise Waldman said Friday. The deal was signed as part of Prime Minister Paul Martin's trade mission to Asia.

While the board has had a 40-year trade relationship with China, this deal signals a long-term, stable market for Prairie wheat, said Waldman.

"China right now is the world's fastest-growing economy and the Chinese consumer is becoming more and more quality conscious," she said.

"So the Canadian Wheat Board feels there's certainly a great amount of potential in terms of the Chinese market, which more and more has an appetite for the high-quality, high-grade wheat Western Canada is famous for."

China was the largest foreign buyer of Prairie-grown wheat in 2003-04 when it imported 1.8 million tonnes from the board.

Waldman said the original contract for that year was for significantly less wheat, so the board hopes China's final order for 2005-06 might also exceed the one million tonnes agreed to.

China has had to increase its wheat imports because of a sharp drop in domestic production as industrial and residential developments encroach on farmland.

Prairie farmers welcomed the deal as a much-needed boost after a soggy, cool growing season.

"It's encouraging, given the tough harvest conditions and the quality of grain we have in Western Canada this year, that the board is able to sign those kinds of contracts and give the benefits back to producers," said David Rolfe, president of Keystone Agricultural Producers.

© The Canadian Press, 2005

China recognizes Canada as approved travel destination

China has recognized Canada as an approved tourism destination -- a move that is expected to result in a dramatic increase in the number of Chinese visitors to this country.

China has already granted that designation to dozens of other countries. Canada had been negotiating with the Chinese for more than five years for similar recognition. The agreement was announced during this week's visit to China by Prime Minister Paul Martin and other Canadian political and business figures.

Approved destination status allows Chinese residents to travel to Canada using a tourist exit visa. Without that status, only Chinese visitors traveling on business could obtain exit visas to Canada.

Last year, only 77,000 overnight visitors came to Canada from China. Published reports estimate that as many as a million Chinese tourists could now visit Canada, making approved status worth billions of dollars a year to Canada.

"China is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and the recognition of Canada as an officially approved travel destination has significant economic potential for the Canadian tourism industry," Industry minister David Emerson said in a statement from Beijing.

The Canadian Tourism Commission has been negotiating with China since 1999, trying to win approved destination status for Canada.

The World Tourism Organization forecasts that China will have 100 million outbound travellers a year by 2020, making it the fourth largest source of outbound travel in the world. Bilateral trade between China and Canada is worth more than $25 billion annually and both countries want to increase that. On Thursday, the two countries signed a spate of energy deals.

B.C. boosts tax breaks for movie industry

The British Columbia government announced Thursday that it plans to give additional tax breaks to the province's movie and television industry.

The announcement comes after Brightlight Pictures, a major B.C. studio, and a number of other production companies said they were considering leaving the province for Ontario, which increased its own tax breaks for filmmakers late last year.

Announced by B.C. Finance Minister Colin Hansen, the changes will put B.C.'s incentives at the same level as those offered by Ontario.

"The film industry is an important and vibrant part of our economy," Hansen said in a statement.

"The tax-credit changes we are proposing today are just one part of a larger effort to ensure British Columbia remains one of the best places in the world for film production."

Hansen says he will introduce the necessary legislation next month.

It will increase the production-services tax credit, currently at 11 per cent, to 18 per cent.

It will also raise the basic tax credit for domestic productions from 20 per cent to 30 per cent.

The new breaks which match the new Ontario rates will be retroactive to Jan. 1 and will stay in effect until March 31, 2006.

The announcement was greeted warmly in some circles.

"Now the industry needs to build on this initiative by taking a lead role in developing strategies to improve our costs and service levels," said Peter Leitch, the president of the Motion Picture Production Industry Association of British Columbia, in a news release.

Both B.C. and Ontario, as well as other provinces, benefit from so-called runaway productions U.S. film shoots that relocate to Canada because of better economic conditions.

However, the rising Canadian dollar has made Canada a less attractive option to Hollywood producers in recent months.

© the CBC, 2004

LIVING IT

Gallery Talk by Artists in LIVING IT exhibition, Saturday, January 29, 2pm

LIVING IT
Works by Kelly Lycan, Karen Ngan, Peggy Ngan, Etienne Zack & Ryan Larkin
Curated by Sally Lee
Exhibition: continues to 12 February 2005

EVERYONE WELCOME

FOLLOWED RIGHT AFTER BY:

Launch and Reception for MARK NAKAMURA, AUDIO TOUR, Saturday, January 29, 3pm

MARK NAKAMURA
Audio Tour
On-line artwork on Centre A website, www.centrea.org
Launch: Saturday, January 29, 3pm (following Living It artist's talk at 2pm)
Artist will be in attendance to introduce the project.

The Audio Tour project is a website intervention by emerging Vancouver artist Mark Nakamura, Centre A's artist-in-residence for 2004-2005. The project is entirely online and hosted by the Centre A website as a site within a site. Using Centre A's digital archive of its 2004 exhibition program, Audio Tour (Centre A) explores discrepant interpretations of what audiences are directed to see and hear in their experiences of visiting an exhibition of contemporary art.

Self-guided audio tours are an increasingly popular tool to capture the attention and deliver information to museum and gallery visitors of a variety of educational backgrounds and languages. While art institutions typically produce these tours for artwork in their permanent collection or shown in their gallery space(s), Audio Tour (Centre A) is an artwork that mimics the form of an audio tour that is completely written and produced by Mark Nakamura. By questioning the recycled themes and narratives used to describe contemporary art, Audio Tour (Centre A) challenges the legitimacy of sanctioned forms of information that lead viewers to an artwork's
"meaning" or conceptual framework.

Mark Nakamura is a BFA graduate of Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design. His paintings and mixed media works have been shown in various solo and group exhibitions in Vancouver since 2001. Audio Tour (Centre A) is the artist's first online project. Special thanks to Gary Chow at Jibby-Jab Creative Inc. (www.jibby-jab.com) and Fred Opong-Agyare (www.facbrandaudio.com).

Centre A - Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art
849 Homer Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 2W2
Tel: 604-683-8326
email: centrea@centrea.org
website: www.centrea.org
gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-6pm

UxShow2005

Call for Entry

Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts is now accepting submissions to UxShow2005, the Ninth Annual Uxbridge Juried Exhibition.

UxShow2005 is dedicated to showcasing the work of Canadian fine artists working in all media. The popularity of the exhibition amongst art collectors and art enthusiasts within the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding communities has grown steadily since its inception. The exhibition will be presented at the Uxbridge Town Hall, located in downtown Uxbridge, just 50 km. northeast of Toronto. All artists who are residents of Canada are welcome to submit up to three works for consideration by the jury. All work is to be juried by slide only. The Entry Fee is $20 per artist. Cash awards will be announced at the Opening Reception on May 19, 2005.

Submission Deadline: April 1, 2005

Exhibition Dates: May 19 to May 29, 2005

For more information regarding Conditions and Procedure for Entry and to download Entry Forms, visit our webite: www.uxbridgearts.com/juried.shtml

Enquiries may be made to:
Telephone: Lynne Gaetz: 905 473 3385
E-mail: uxshow2005@uxbridgearts.com

DirectAid concert

This is a reminder of the DirectAid concert which will fund the long-term
rebuilding of a community in Tamil Nadu (India) following the Asian
Tsunami Disaster. This concert will take place on Friday, January 28th at
7:30 pm at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre (231 Queen's Quay West).
Tickets are $25 and are available from Harbourfront Box Office
(416.974.4000) or online:

http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?organ_val=2444&event_val=DMT0

In addition, Saturday at 5 pm on CBC Radio 1 is a program called 'Big City
Small World'. Joanna and Ritesh were interviewed about the Direct Aid
Benefit and will be on the show.

Thanks so much from the MDO-TTE community.

MDO-TTE
416.306.0332
50 Spadina Ave.
Toronto, Ontario
www.tablaensemble.com

"LEHAR" A Celebration of Life Benefit Concert for Southeast Asia

Benefit concert at the prestigious INLET THEATRE in Port Moody on January 30th to help raise money for the tsunami victims in the Indian Ocean.

The concert is being sponsored by Quadra Stone, and The Inlet Theatre.

Cassius Khan is the feature artist and he will be accompanied by Amika Kushwaha on Harmonium, Meera Varghese on Harmonium/Flute, Brad Bowie on Guitar, and special guest Krisha Dhaliwal on Swarmandal.

Tickets are $20.00 and are available at the INLET THEATRE,100 Newport Drive, Port Moody,469 4552, or Jack Dhaliwal @ (604) 785 5341

The first half will be Classical Ghazals, sung in rare ragas and the second half will be a blistering 55 minute Tabla Solo Recital. The concert is an estimated 2 1/2 hours + a ½ hour interval. Refreshments will be available in the gallery during the interval.

To the good people in the performing artists community, please come and enjoy a rare evening of Classical Ghazals and Tabla solo recital.

Baghdad In No Particular Order

Videos by Paul Chan (In Person)

Saturday, March 19, 8 pm @ Cinecycle, 129 Spadina Ave, Toronto

Breathing Fire 2

Wednesday, February 9, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.

International Readings presents a selection of the country’s leading young poets featured in Breathing Fire 2 an anthology of “essential reading for anyone interested in new voices in Canadian poetry” (Don McKay).

Hosted by editors Patrick Lane and Lorna Crozier.

Lorna Crozier and Patrick Lane co-edited the 1995 anthology Breathing Fire: Canada’s New Poets which featured Karen Connelly, Michael Redhill and Susan Goyette. They live in Sidney, British Columbia.

LOCATION: The Brigantine Room at the York Quay Centre (235 Queens Quay West)

TICKETS: $8 or free for members, patron members and full time highschool and post-secondary students (with valid I.D.); available at 416.973.4000 or www.readings.org

In Vivo: A Window on Diversity

Enter a Web animation competition!

Make a digital animated film on the theme of Wisdom of Diversity and win a week for two at Expo 2005 in Aichi, Japan and a chance to have your film shown at the Canada Pavilion. To enter the competition, just make a 30-60 second animated short, without sound, and submit it to the NFB. Five finalists will be selected to work with a professional sound designer and an NFB animation producer. The films will be judged by a jury consisting primarily of professional animators; members of the public also get to vote for their favourite film among the five finalists.

For competition rules, visit the In vivo Website www.nfb.ca/aichi

JOY GEEN (cantonese for "See you again.")

A radio drama by John Ng
Produced by Linda Grearson
With Marjorie Chan, Ho Chow, Richard Lee, Mung-Ling Tsui and Jean Yoon

Sunday, January 30th, 10:05 pm CBC RADIO ONE 99.1FM
Monday, January 31st, 9:05 pm CBC RADIO TWO 94.1FM

Videos by Meesoo Lee (In Person from Vancouver)

Pleasure Dome & Images Festival present
A Nowhere Man Making Nowhere Videos for a Nowhere Land
Saturday, January 29, 8 pm $5 @ Cinecycle, 129 Spadina Ave. Toronto

There is no reason for us to exist at all. There is no meaning to life on earth. After all, the universe does not care if we live or die, make art or war, it only matters to us. From this existential truth comes the paradox of Meesoo Lee. He lives, he creates and he loves. Lee's oeuvre presents a video vitrine sealed off from the indoctrination of history and ideas, uncontaminated by the demented (and precious) notions that separate pathology from pathos and infer that both are inferior. Inferior to what? His minimal style is that of the true voyeur; the one who loves to watch and stare. Hence, his videos are languid and liquid. The images he finds and creates are so wonderful just as they are. They must be savoured to be appreciated. In their wrongness and strangeness, lies their transient beauty. Pleasure Dome with the support and sponsorship from the Images Festival is pleased to co-present this extensive collective of video works by Meesoo Lee.

"Making a video is something pleasurably absorbing and productive. It might only be an extension of the desire to watch more TV, but I'm an image addict and I have to watch something. With the magic of computers, images can be manipulated very easily but it's not really about control... its about the moment you can give up control and retreat back to the comfortable position of being a voyeur again. I sit back and watch my own videos over and over and think each one is a little masterpiece. I love each an every one of them, even the ones that obviously suck. And by extension, I think I am learning to love myself (and that's what my work is really about and why I do it)." Meesoo Lee

Canada and China team up to share knowledge of natural resources industries

BEIJING (CP) - Canada and China have signed agreements to share their knowledge of natural resources industries.
Natural Resources Canada signed agreements Thursday with two organizations to co-operate in the fields of minerals and metals and earth sciences.

"The terrible natural disaster that took place in southern Asia . . . demonstrated that the world's people are all connected and underlined the importance of sharing information and knowledge about the Earth," said Ruben John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources, in a release.

"The signing of these agreements symbolizes the importance with which Canada views dialogue and co-operation with the People's Republic of China and, at the same time, reinforces and strengthens the links between our two countries."

Efford last visited China in the fall of 2004 to promote Canadian expertise in natural resources.

"Canada is a world leader in natural resources management," added International Trade Minister Jim Peterson. "We look forward to the scientific and commercial advances that enhanced co-operation with China in that area will bring."

© The Canadian Press, 2005

CFL legend Normie Kwong named Alberta Lt.-Gov.

EDMONTON (CP) - Football legend Normie Kwong, named Alberta's new lieutenant-governor Wednesday, said his biggest challenge will be replacing someone who had become a legend in her own right. "I have taken on many challenges in my lifetime, from childhood battles over my ethnic background to restoring faith and support for the Calgary Stampeders in the 1980s," said Kwong after he received the appointment from Prime Minister Paul Martin. "But the biggest challenge will be taking over a position held by such a beloved person as Lois Hole."

Hole died Jan. 6 of abdominal cancer. Known as the Queen of Hugs, she was one of the most beloved political figures in Alberta history. Nearly 2,000 people attended her memorial service Tuesday.

Kwong will be sworn in Thursday to become Alberta's first Asian-born lieutenant-governor.

"Norman Kwong is an inspiration for many Canadians," the prime minister said in a release.

"His many contributions, as a professional athlete, as a business person and as a prominent figure in society, speak to his commitment to the people of Alberta."

Kwong said he was surprised to get the call from Martin.

"I thought it was one of my friends playing a joke. I said (to Martin): 'This can't be you.' "

He said Martin replied: "To tell you the truth, Normie, if somebody called me at 8:30 in the morning and said it was Normie Kwong, I wouldn't believe it either."

Kwong was born in Calgary in 1929 to Chinese immigrants.

In 1948, he became the first Chinese-Canadian to play in the Canadian Football League and was dubbed the China Clipper for his ferocity as a running back.

He won four Grey Cups - one with the Calgary Stampeders when he was only 18, and three consecutive championships from 1954 to 1956 with the Edmonton Eskimos.

Alberta Premier Ralph Klein told reporters that Kwong's personality is not what everyone expects from a lieutenant-governor.

"From a protocol point of view, I don't know if he'll be absolutely politically correct, but he'll be entertaining and he'll be fun and he'll bring a human face - the same human face that Lois put on the job," he said.

Kwong is no stranger to politics. He unsuccessfully ran for Alberta's Conservatives in the 1960s.

George Hansen, president of the Stampeders Alumni Association, said Kwong has a down-to-earth approach.

"His mind is going all the time and I think you have to have some levity," said Hansen. "Too often, people in that position give you the Queen wave."

Murray Sigler of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce agreed: "He's as comfortable dealing with a person on the street as he is with a senior executive or visiting officials and dignitaries."

Bill Smith, recently mayor of Edmonton and a former teammate of Kwong's on the Eskimos, remembered Kwong as a team practical joker.

He said Kwong would sometimes remove a player's equipment from his locker - a clear sign the player had been cut from the team - leaving the teammate an emotional wreck until the practical joke was revealed.

"It wasn't very funny for the guy, but it got a lot of laughs," said Smith.

Kwong said he wants to use his background in sports to promote fitness and wellness.

"What I'd like to do is encourage youth to participate more in sports. To look at the healthy way of living, of eating, or growing up," he said. "If there's some way I can spread that legacy, that's what I'd like to do."

Former Stampeders coach Wally Buono said Kwong has a positive influence on people.

"He has an aura about him that brings goodwill," he said.

Kwong was named Canadian Athlete of the Year in 1955. He was inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame in 1969 and entered the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1975.

He was also named a member of the Order of Canada in 1998.

After retiring as a football player in 1960, Kwong established a successful career in real estate and became part-owner and director of the NHL's Calgary Flames until he sold his interest in 1994.

In 1988, Kwong became president and general manager of the Stampeders and helped turn around a struggling franchise.

He has been national chairman of the Canadian Consultative Council on Multiculturalism and honorary chairman of the Calgary Easter Seal campaign.

A sketch of newly appointed Alberta Lt.-Gov. Norm Kwong:

Beginnings: Born in Calgary in 1929 to Chinese immigrant grocers.
Family life: Wife Mary, four sons and five grandchildren.
Nicknames: The Living Legend and the China Clipper.

Football career: In 13 years as a running back with the CFL Edmonton Eskimos and Calgary Stampeders, he won four Grey Cups, one with Calgary, three with Edmonton; retired 1960.

CFL records: First Chinese Canadian player in the league and youngest player to win a Grey Cup; record of 192 yards rushing in a single game stood for 45 years until Sean Millington broke it in 1999; rushed for 9,022 yards in his career, the third-highest in CFL history.

Accomplishments (sports): Inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame 1969 and the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame 1987; holds 30 CFL records; named Canada's athlete of the year 1955.

Business: Part-owner and director of the Calgary Flames 1980-1994; president and general manager of the Calgary Stampeders 1988-199; had a successful real estate career.

Citizenry: Awarded the Order of Canada 1998; was national chairman of the Canadian Consultative Council on Multiculturalism 1979-80.

Quote: "Like an old war-horse you're always interested in sports."

© The Canadian Press, 2005

FREE CBC STUDIO ONE SESSIONS BACK AGAIN STARTING JANUARY 20

JAZZ SOUNDS

Sitting in on a recording session is a rare treat for most people. Starting Thursday January 20 get behind the scenes with Vince Mai and his jazz septet at the first of the 2005 CBC Studio One Sessions - a series of 3 free performances January 20, February 10 and February 17 in the intimate setting of CBC Radio's Studio One, 700 Hamilton Street. Doors open at 6 pm and the show is at 6:30 pm. Seating is limited. Tickets are at the door only, first come, first served.

Producer Jon Siddall said “We love it when the audience discovers how real the sessions are. There’s always banter between the musicians and the control room, stops and a few re-takes. It’s an interesting and unusual look at the creative process of recording music.”

January 20: Smooth new urban jazz with Vancouver’s trumpeter/composer Vince Mai and MBand. His always-evolving music draws inspiration from a kaleidoscope of musical influences. His latest CD, Subte, echoes the ruins of Mexico, the subways of Buenos Aires, the infectious rhythms and voices of Latin America, the trance of the European club scenes, and Vince’s deep roots in jazz.

Active in the West Coast studio/jazz scene for many years with numerous commercial, film and album credits, he has also shared stages and studios with top artists like Chuck Israels, Bobby Shew, Natalie Cole, and others. With Brad Turner keyboards, Rene Worst bass, Daryl Jahnke guitar, Pepe Danza & Raphael Geronimo percussion and Randall Stoll on drums.

www.mai-music.com

SAVAC (SOUTH ASIAN VISUAL ARTS COLLECTIVE)

SAVAC (SOUTH ASIAN VISUAL ARTS COLLECTIVE) launches its first annual program of international short film & video, titled MONITOR on Sunday, January 23 @ 3pm at Camera Bar and Media Gallery, Toronto.

The 70 minute program is curated by Jane Kim with Mona
Kamal, Michelle Mama and Riaz Mehmood of SAVAC. The
program features the best in new contemporary South
Asian film & video including experimental,
documentary, and narrative works under 30 minutes.

MONITOR PROGRAM INCLUDES:
Untitled Displacement Series #2 by Pavitra
Wickramasinghe, Canada 1min. video (2003) The act of
eating transforms into a collision of arresting visual fragments.

The God by Konstantin Bronzit, Russia 5min. video
(2003) In this animated short, even a fly can
challenge the "Zen" of a God.

I Love My India by Tejal Shah, India 10min. video
(2003) The local fun-fair shooting game becomes a
device for democratic discussion. A clever indictment
of apathy and hypocrisy in India.

Flight by Nurjahan Akhlaq, Canada/Pakistan 10min.
video (2003 - work in progress)
A young woman returns to her home in Lahore after the
murder of her sister and father. A dream-like
meditation on tragedy that transcends mere tribute to
honour a family legacy.

Heart Troubles of Ramchand Yavathmal Tirchinapalli
Azamghar by Ramchandra P.N, India 5min. video (2003)
In this age of inflation, bomb blasts and nuclear
threat, a stressed out Bombay boy explains his bizarre
criteria to potential brides in this unusual
dating-service video.

Coolie Gyal by Renata Mohamed, Canada 7:20min. video
(2004) A nostalgic reminiscence of an idyllic
childhood is threatened, as a daughter struggles to
break the news in her tender love-letter to Mom and
Dad.

U.A.I.L Go BACK by Angad Bhalla USA/Canada 22min.
video (2003) Kashipur is one of India's poorest
regions with a holy respect and reverence for their
land. 60,000 villagers are about to be displaced by a
mining project. This film documents an emergence of
grassroots activism as the locals organize to fight
for their home.

Holly Bolly by Dishad Husain, UK 12min. video (2004)
Obi and Dil are two edgy ethnic filmmakers who'll do
anything to break into the biz - even if it means
making an "English-Cockney-Gangster-meets-Bollywood
film" for a shifty producer. How hard could it be?.

MONITOR: Contemporary South Asian Film & Video
Sunday, January 23 @ 3pm @ Camera Bar and Media
Gallery, 1028 Queen St. West.
Camera is a new screening facility created by Hussain
Amarshi and Atom Egoyan.
Tickets are $8 @ the door (includes a complimentary
beverage). SAVAC members free.
Donations will be gratefully accepted for tsunami
relief through www.canrelief.org. Reception follows at 4pm.

SAVAC is a nonprofit artist-run-centre dedicated to
the development and presentation of contemporary
visual art by artists of South Asian origin.

For more information please contact Rachel Kalpana
James, Director SAVAC.
401 Richmond St. West, #450 Toronto, ON Canada M5V 3A8

www.savac.net / info@savac.net

New Host Wanted for Fashion Makeover Series "Diva on a Dime"

PRIME's successful fashion makeover series Diva on a Dime is on the hunt for a new host. The series, which recreates high fashion runway looks on an everyday budget, is seeking to cast a knowledgeable and passionate fashionista to help headline the show.

Applicants should have fashion industry experience, be very familiar with the latest trends and collections, know how to sniff out an incredible bargain find, and make informed observations. More importantly, they should have a witty sense of humour and a great camera presence. Although TV experience is not essential the ability to have fun and act spontaneously in front of a camera is crucial. Host should reside (or be willing to relocate immediately) to the Toronto area.

Any interested parties are asked to submit a resume, photo and a letter describing why they feel they could make a great host for the series. Submissions should be directed to: areid@summerhill.tv or faxed to (416) 645-8268

Response will be limited to those who are selected for the audition process.
Submission deadline is January 19, 2005.

For more information, please contact:
Alison Reid or Dee Dee Peel (416) 645-8267, Summerhill Entertainment
Karen Williams (416) 446-5530 or kwilliams@globaltv.ca

Karen D. Williams, Junior Publicist
Media Relations, email: kwilliams@globaltv.ca

NAAAP Toronto 4th Year Anniversary Mixer

Come celebrate with us...It's on the House! Well, it's actually at the Clubhouse. NAAAP Toronto invites you to celebrates its fourth year anniversary on:

Saturday, January 29th, 2005; 8:00 pm - 12:30 am

Gilda's Club Greater Toronto
110 Lombard Street (Richmond and Jarvis),
Toronto Ontario
Tel: (416) 214-9898
Website: www.gildasclubtoronto.ca/

Everyone is Welcomed! FREE to attend.
Potluck atmosphere! You're invited to bring refreshments and snacks.

Bring your friends, bring your family and the kids...
The Club House has something for everyone.

Gilda's Club used to be the old firehouse back in the 1800's... It was the original location for Second City and now is the home to Gilda's Club Greater Toronto. Learn about the new and exciting programs NAAAP Toronto has lined up for the year 2005 - More professional speakers, new programs, workshops and networking.

For those with a fascination with interior design, enjoy the works of some of the top interior Designers in the city - Featuring Kimberly Seldon (Cityline), Steven Fermoyle (Great Taste, No Money) and Joann Cutler.

The evening will be casual and fun. Leave the business cards at the office and just bring the energy.

RSVP prior to Friday, January 28, 2005 @ 12noon by email: rsvp@naaaptoronto.org,
directly on our website or our Hotline: (416) 683-1006

ARTIST'S TALK BY ED PIEN

in conjunction with the exhibition Celestial Bodies
Sunday 23 January, 2:30 pm
Agnes Etherington Art Centre

Ed Pien presents "Imaginary Beings," an illustrated lecture tracing the evolution of his work. The artist will show images and objects he has gathered in his research, and how these have influenced the nature of his art. Pien, a Toronto-based artist born in Taiwan, is the Koerner Visiting Artist in the Department of Art at Queen's University this mont