The Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.) will be alive with the sights and sounds of traditional Chinese culture on Sept. 10.
From 11 a.m. through to 6 p.m., the second annual Mid-Autumn Charity Carnival will feature seven hours of continuous entertainment, including:
- Hundreds of artists
- 60 performances, including dance and music
- booths, games and interactive activities.
- a children's play area
- traditional Chinese food
The Sunday event is hosted by the Tri-City Chinese Community Society (TCCS), with funds raised from the event to go toward purchasing display cases for a collection of jars and bottles used by Chinese labourers during Port Coquitlam's early days.
"We would like to help the Port Coquitlam Heritage Museum to raise funds to purchase a display case for their artifacts which include items from a 100 years ago through the event," explained president Linda Li in an email to the Tri-City News.
Mary Zhi, volunteer performance director, said visitors to the event will see how traditional Chinese cultural has been kept alive by immigrants to Canada.
"We have over 40 performances, with continuous singing and entertainment for four hours, involving up to 400 performers," Zhi told the Tri-City News.
"This will provide PoCo with a visual experience of Chinese culture."
Traditional Chinese drum music, ancient folk tunes
Although some event details are still being finalized, among the cultural performances include the Chinese drum, known as "Zhonghua Da Gu" in Mandarin.
"With its deep, resonant sound, this traditional percussion instrument has been used for centuries in various ceremonies, festivals, and theatrical performances," said Zhi.
Made from wood and animal skin, the drum's surface is adorned with intricate designs, symbolizing cultural stories and beliefs.
Zhi said it is used for many special events because the percussive sounds generate an "emotional" feeling.
"The Zhonghua Da Gu is not just an instrument; it's a testament to China's enduring cultural legacy," she said.
Another cultural touchstone will be a performance of "Dragon Boat Tune," a revered folk song originating from the Tujia ethnic group in China.
According to Zhi, Dragon Boat Tune is recognized as one of the top 25 folk songs in the world.
"Notably, it paints a vivid picture of passionate love between individuals, resonating with listeners both young and old," she said.
Other performances include musicians playing the guzheng, a Chinese plucked zither and examples of traditional Chinese opera.
This year's Mid-Autumn Charity Carnival is also supported by the City of Port Coquitlam.
