Popular series returns

International Tea House launches its season at the Jack Blanchard Family Centre on Saturday

The P.E.I. International Friendship Association is launching its annual International Tea House (ITH) series on Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Jack Blanchard Family Centre, 7 Pond St. Charlottetown from 7-9 p.m.

The ITH was first created in 1993 by a group of Islanders representing mainstream community and a few different ethno-cultural groups to raise awareness and understanding of the value of cultural diversity. Over the years, they provided Islanders with opportunities to meet newcomers, learn their culture and celebrate diversity. The purpose of the tea house is to encourage meaningful interaction among multicultural groups and mainstream communities by organizing gatherings with cultural activities, music, dance and entertainment, education workshops and cultural presentations.

The program demonstrated its commitment to raise awareness in the larger community of various growing immigrants, immigration trends on P.E.I. and their socio-cultural backgrounds, a news release states.

The family events will focus on cultural learning, sharing, and community understanding.

The Jan. 30 tea house will feature events consisting of dance, music, presentations, ethnic food and children’s activities. CBC Mainstreet host Karen Mair will emcee the event. Mi’kmaq elder Barbara Bernard will deliver the opening prayer, smudge; welcoming the recently arrived-Syrian families. Havenwood Studio dancers, who have performed across Maritimes as well as Orlando, Fla., will entertain the audience. Ayessa Marie Divina will sing Pilipino tunes. Those Line Dancers, consisting of Margo Postma, Sylvia Turner, Mona McClintick, Lynda Landry, Leisa Jardine, Wilma Smith, Lilian Ladner, Patricia Boland and Gail Feehan will perform and Amy Amierah will perform a Lebanese belly dance.

Performances will also be given by Chinese Dance, a P.E.I. Asian artist group, JianBin, a Chen style taijiquan dance. Qi Qi, Linda, Bing Yiao will present the Swan geese dance. Korean singer, Seok won im, will perform traditional Korean songs.

East Indian ethnic food will be provided by Sharda Gupta. There will be arts and crafts from India, China and Dominican Republic.

Admission is free. Tea and coffee available. Wheelchair accessible. Lots of door prizes to win. Donations are appreciated.

For more information, please contact Ratna Rajapaksa at 902314-5772.