Toronto, April 26, 2012 – Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto (CCC) will be hosting the Imperial Ball 2012 on Saturday，May 26 at the Fairmont Royal York (100 Front Street West, Toronto) to raise funds to build a heritage hall. Bauhinia Night is the theme of this year’s gala. This is to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China in 1997. Bauhinia has been the floral emblem of Hong Kong which also appears on its coat of arm, flag and coins.
Dr. Ming-Tat Cheung, Chairman of CCC, remarked “Generous donations made by people migrated from Hong Kong and donors with ties in Hong Kong have contributed much to make our dream come true. Their names displayed in various facilities of the Centre can tell. The support of these and many other donors has given CCC the mandate to promote Chinese culture in the context of Canad’s multicultural society. We are committed to be the Home for the West to meet the East and the Past to meet the Future. It is important to let our young people continue our mission. Gala proceeds of this year will be used to build a heritage hall to showcase the centenary legacy of Chinese Canadians in Ontario, to create a focal point for educational and cultural programs, as well as to share the rich Chinese heritage with our younger generations.”
Over 20 reputable organizations and business corporations have pledged their support this year. Rolex Boutique at Royal de Versailles is once again the Presenting Sponsor of the Imperial Ball. DFC Auto Group; Philip Leong, RBC Dominion Securities; and RBC Royal Bank continue to be the Honorary Patrons (list of other major sponsors appended). Royal de Versailles will donate a pearl and diamond brooch valued about $28,000 for live auction together with two round-trip Executive Class air tickets to any destination in Asia by Air Canada. Toronto Zoo, soon to be home for a pairs of Giant Pandas from China, will donate a number of lovely toy pandas for on-site charity sales. Silent auction items include arts and crafts, coupons of various cuisines, golf club memberships, brand names gift certificate, and many more.
Co-Chairing the 18th annual fundraising gala together with Mr Robert Fotheringham, Senior Vice President of the TMX Group, is Gloria Lo, Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada. She found it “meaningful to present the Bauhinia Night in Toronto since both Hong Kong and Canada are striving for cultural diversity and racial harmony. The relationship between the two places is a warm one, with family and business links stretching back over many decades.”
One of the Hong Kong highlights of the Bauhinia Night is the feature performance by the versatile Chinese wind player Guo Yazhi, formerly with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. He will demonstrate various Chinese wind instruments, such as the hulusi, sheng. He will perform together with Toronto Chinese Orchestra. Guo may even perform Chinese music with tree leaves. Furthermore, dancers from the School of Toronto City Ballet will be wearing special Hakka circular black-brimmed hats to perform a Hong Kong-themed dance to be accompanied by an old Hong Kong pop song Notturno in the Fisherboat. Renowned soprano Angela Zheng will also sing on the occasion.
HKETO and Hong Kong Tourism Board will jointly present a free tasting and sampling of the “Top After-Work Cocktails” in Hong Kong at the Imperial Ball reception sponsored by Toronto Hong Kong Lions Club.
The fundraiser is expected to draw about six hundred patrons comprising senior business executives, professionals, community leaders and representatives from all levels of government. Gala tickets are $380 (regular) and $450 (VIP) each while the cost for a corporate table is $4,500.
