The 2024 Spring Tea Gathering of the Multicultural Exchange Center Was Successfully Held

On February 24, 2024, the Multicultural Exchange Center hosted a Spring Tea Gathering to celebrate the Year of the Dragon at the Stephen Leacock Community Centre. Nearly 100 people attended the event, which was adorned with festive decorations, creating a lively and joyous atmosphere.

The gathering featured a variety of activities. It began with a delicious lunch, where attendees enjoyed a flavorful feast. Coinciding with the Lantern Festival, traditional glutinous rice balls (tangyuan) added a touch of reunion and warmth to the occasion. Of course, desserts and fruits were also served in abundance.

During lunch, Scarborough Member of Parliament Jean Yip attended the event and delivered an enthusiastic speech, extending her warm wishes and sharing information about the Canadian government’s newly introduced dental care benefits. She also took photos with the members. Following this, the center’s various activity groups presented performances, games, and a lucky draw.

The event kicked off with the center’s founder, Xiaoping Hao, leading everyone in a lively dance to the festive song Happy Long Long Way. This energized the participants and got everyone dancing enthusiastically. Next, Wang, the instructor of the modeling class, taught everyone basic modeling steps, giving many attendees their first taste of professional modeling. The center’s choir, under the direction of Angela, performed the song Monishan with remarkable skill, inspiring many members to consider joining the singing class.

In addition to dance and singing classes, the center also offers health and wellness programs such as qigong and tai chi. The demonstration of the Eight Brocades exercise, guided by instructor Huilan Li, was so impressive that several attendees immediately signed up for the tai chi class. The Sunday Dance Class 1 then performed a heartfelt and graceful dance to Zhou Shen’s Huakai Wangyou (Forget Worries When Flowers Bloom), captivating the audience and evoking a sense of the passage of time and life through their elegant movements.

The games and lucky draw were particularly exciting, with participants fully immersed in the fun.

The health dance, a traditional program at the center, is easy to learn and provides a full-body workout, making it a favorite among beginners. Xiaoping Hao personally promotes this activity and led a performance of the Dynamic Spring Orchid health dance.

The Saturday Dance Class performed a graceful ballet-inspired routine, resembling “little swans.” Under the professional guidance of instructor Wei, the students showcased their skills in a beautifully choreographed piece titled Listening to the Snowfall at Lake Baikal.

The poetry recitation Hello, New Year, which represented the center at this year’s Overseas Chinese Spring Festival Gala, delivered the warmest and most heartfelt New Year’s greetings. The emotional recitation was a fitting tribute to their instructor, Mandy.

The Joyful Dance Medley, performed by Anna’s dance class, featured unique choreography, lively movements, and humorous poses, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience. The line dance class, though relatively new to the art, delivered an impressive performance under the patient guidance of instructor Ma Qiang, showcasing their progress. Another competitive game highlighted teamwork, and prizes were awarded to the participants.

The Saturday Vocal Class performed Opening Spring, their melodious voices perfectly capturing the essence of the season. Lucy, the instructor of the newly established Sunday class, led her students in a festive dance titled The Dearest Ones, further elevating the celebratory atmosphere. The event concluded with a collaborative performance by Angela and Gan, titled Inviting Spring, accompanied by four dancers, bringing the Spring Tea Gathering to a close.

Let us embrace the spring together! May everyone have a prosperous Year of the Dragon, and may the Multicultural Exchange Center continue to thrive. Let us look forward to an even more vibrant multicultural scene in Canada!