Mixing it up at the 6th Annual Cultural Arts Night

Louie Sal-long, CONTRIBUTOR

Indian Dancing – India School of Dance, Music, and Theatre Alumni perform at the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre on March 25, 2017. THE
PROJECTOR/Louie Sal-long

The Manitoba Chinese Youth Committee (MCYC) accommodated about 100 people from different cultural backgrounds at the 6th Annual Cultural Arts Night.

As a non-profit organization, the MCYC depends on fundraising and other organizations in the community to fund the Annual Cultural Arts Night. The Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre (WCCCC) helped the MCYC fund and hold the event at 180 King Street on March 25.

Elizabeth Ng prepares Dragon Beard Candy, a traditional Chinese treat, as a
child waits to get one. THE PROJECTOR/Louie Sal-long

“People who are involved in these community activities will be our future leaders,” said Dr. Patrick Choy, vice president of the WCCCC. “We like to leave it to the imagination of the young people for these events because they come up with better ideas.”

“True multiculturalism is celebrating it every day,” said Kay Xu, president of the MCYC. “We aim to celebrate multiculturalism more often and not just once a year.”

The night showcased different performances from a variety of cultures. The India School of Dance, Music, and Theatre Alumni had dangling bells hanging from the traditional outfits during their dance. The Chingwu Athletic Association had a man stand on top of another man’s shoulders in their Lion Dance routine. The Ukrainian Canadian Student Society encouraged the audience to participate in a small crash course of Ukrainian dance moves.

“During the intermission, people can go and talk to the performers in booths,” said Elizabeth Ng, vice president external of the MCYC. “Talking to a person about their culture is the best way to know what their culture is about. You can do this while eating cultural food.”

People lined up to get a taste of the different cultural foods. One of the treats called Dragon Beard Candy had a booth of its own to show how it was made.

“Another purpose for this event is to get cultural groups in Winnipeg to work together,” said Xu. “We hope to have a bigger cultural event later on.”

The MCYC is excited to host their first multicultural summer camp for youth in Grade 7 to 8 in July.

“Having this summer camp is a great way to let the next generation learn about the diversity that exists in our society,” said Xu.

For more details and updates, visit the MCYC at mcycwpg.com.