A sizzling full-course menu of Pan-Asian culture right here in Toronto.
Tai Chi and Wushu Demonstrations by Ji Hong Tai Chi
Mikoshi & Shishimai
About Mikoshi (Portable Shrine):
A mikoshi is a portable Shinto shrine. Shinto followers believe that it serves as the vehicle of a divine spirit in Japan at the time of a parade of deities. Often, the mikoshi resembles a miniature building, with pillars, walls, a roof, a veranda and a railing. During a matsuri, or Japanese festival, people bear a mikoshi on their shoulders by means of the two or four poles. They bring the mikoshi from the shrine, carry it around the neighborhoods that worship at the shrine.
About Shishimai (Japanese Lion Dance):
The roots of the Japanese lion dance are said to be from China or India. The lion dance has been completely absorbed into Japanese tradition and is used even in religious Shinto festivals aside from new year celebrations. The Japanese lion consists of a wooden, lacquered head called a “shishi-gashira” (lit. Lion Head), and a characteristic body of green dyed cloth with white designs. It can be manipulated by a single person, or two people, one who manipulates the head.
Mi Young Kim Dance Company
The Mi Young Kim Dance Company is the professional dance group portion of the Korean Dance Studies Society of Canada. Led by artistic director Mi Young Kim the group performs traditional and contemporary Korean dance. They perform and conduct workshops throughout Canada. Drawing inspirations from the cultural diversity in this country while keep referring back to her root, Mi Young Kim has done much to develop Korean dance. She strives to create a uniquely Korean-Canadian dance style.
Yakudo
Yakudo has been thrilling people worldwide for over 15 years, with their dynamic and energetic performances combining the spiritual sound of the Taiko (Japanese drums), with martial arts-like choreography and contemporary music. They are a not-for-profit organization dedicated to sharing the Japanese culture through Taiko by teaching classes and conducting workshops and presentations.
Chai Found Music Workshop
Since 1991, the Chai Found Music Workshop (CFMW) has been active on national and international music scenes. The group has been performing contemporary classical music as well as traditional Chinese and Taiwanese music in countless concerts across Taiwan, Asia, Europe, and North America. The Council of Cultural Affairs of Taiwan has been supporting and endorsing the group’s activities, and has granted it numerous awards for excellence.
I Rock with The One
I Rock with The One is a faith-based hip hop dance crew that uses hip hop dance as an influence to positively inspire the World. The group was formed in 2009 initially to inspire the youth in their community to develop their talents, boost their confidence, and help new kids on the block, composed mostly of immigrant children, to integrate into their new environment. They conduct classes and workshops through the urban dance program at the Gateway Centre for New Canadians. Some of the accomplishments the team achieved were representing Canada at the 2009 and 2010 World Hip Hop International Championships in the U.S.