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The stunning Wushu spectacle put up by the Hong Kong Wushu Delegation overwhelmed Calgary this (February 6, Canada time) evening as the delegation performed to a full house at the Jack Singer Concert Hall of the Epcor Centre for Performing Arts.
Joined by local Wushu masters, award-winning members of the visiting Hong Kong Wushu Delegation including Taiji gold medal winner Li Fai, Changquan silver medal winner To Yu Hang and "King of Nanguan" Chang Ka-ho, put up their very best to give Wushu enthusiasts in Calgary a special treat.
It also made the 2-hour "Hong Kong - Alberta Wushu Spectacular" a great success, not only in promoting cultural exchange between Hong Kong and Calgary, but also in bringing Hong Kong's friendship and warmth to the Calgary community. It was also part of the Hong Kong Promotion in Calgary organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO) to enhance closer ties between Hong Kong and Calgary and to restore confidence in Hong Kong after last year's SARS challenge.
Arranged by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the HKETO of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and produced by the Fairchild Media Group, the performance succeeded in raising CAD$60,000 in support of the Bethany Care Centre, the Wing Kei Nursing Home and the United Way of Calgary.
A cheque was presented by the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs of the HKSAR Government, Ms Shelley Lee, to representatives of the three charitable organisations at the event's opening ceremony.
The Wushu Spectacular which was kicked off with a dazzling lion and dragon dance, proved to be a real eye-opener. Hong Kong's champion Wushu athletes teamed up with a local martial arts representative team to perform various challenging Wushu styles and forms such as Taiji, swordplay, spearplay, swords combat, wrestling sword, drunken style sword and nine-section whip. There were thunderous applauses everywhere in the concert hall when the Wushu Spectacular drew to a successful close.
The Hong Kong Wushu delegation will depart Calgary for Edmonton on Sunday (February 8) for a 4-day visit before returning to Hong Kong on Thursday (February 12).
The Delegation's visit to Calgary and Edmonton is fully supported by the Fairchild Media Group, the Edmonton Scotia Bank, the Wing Kei Nursing Home, Bethany Care Centre, United Way of Calgary, the University of Alberta's School of Business, and the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association in Calgary and Edmonton.
The 'Hong Kong-Alberta Wushu Spectacular' promotion is sponsored by Eikowada Performance Outwear System, Hutchison Harbour Ring and Kappa.
Ends/Saturday, February 7, 2004
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