The York Centre for Asian Research (YCAR), in partnership with York University campus and student organizations, is sponsoring a Tsunami Benefit Concert, to be held Tuesday, Feb. 8, from 3:30 to 9:30pm in Founders Assembly Hall, room 152 Founders College, Keele campus.
Right: Yellow River Ensemble
The purpose of the benefit concert is to create an educational fund to support secondary and postsecondary education of disadvantaged students from areas devastated by the Dec. 26 South Asian tsunami, particularly those from Indonesia and Sri Lanka. YCAR will link with universities in Indonesia and Sri Lanka who have active outreach programs in these areas and with whom YCAR can closely work to manage and account for the funds for educational purposes.
The concert will feature a diverse array of music and performers including the York University Gamelan Orchestra, York’s Chinese Classical Orchestra, the Yellow River Ensemble led by Kim Chow-Morris, director of courses in Chinese music in York’s Faculty of Fine Arts, an Indonesian shadow puppet show and a performance of South Indian classical music led by Professor Trichy Sankaran from the Department of Music. The concert will also feature door prizes, jazz performances, poetry readings and many other offerings presented by members of the York community.
This will be an informal, interactive event interspersed with information and reflections on the devastation caused by the tsunami. There will be an opportunity to meet people who have been affected by the tsunami and to hear their stories.
Left: Trichy Sankaran
In addition to the benefit concert, YCAR, together with co-sponsors the Taiwanese Canadian Association of Toronto and Just Champion Educational & Cultural Foundation, will present a prizewinning play from the 2004 Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg Fringe Festivals titled Republic of Confusion on Wednesday, Feb. 9 from 2:30 to 3:30pm at the Burton Auditorium. The play is a political comedy written and performed by Zoë Huang. Admission to the play is free. Donations to the tsunami benefit cause would be appreciated.
Members of the York community are invited to both events. Contributions to the YCAR Tsunami Educational Support Fund are eligible for an income tax receipt. Pledge forms will be available at the concert. For those individuals who may not be able to attend but want to make a donation, contact Rhoda Reyes, coordinator, York Centre for Asian Research at ext. 44068, or e-mail rreyes@yorku.ca. You can also e-mail the concert co-chairs Judith Nagata at jnagata@yorku.ca or Arthur Hagopian at ahagopia@yorku.ca.
One hundred per cent of all donations will be directed to the YCAR Tsunami Educational Support Fund to assist disadvantaged students from the tsunami-affected areas. This event is sponsored by YCAR and other campus organizations.