Opening Night Literary Event kicks off Asian Heritage Month

Attention: Arts & Culture Editors, Literary Editors, Ethnic Media, Listings Editors, Photo Editors

Opening Night Literary Event kicks off Asian Heritage Month Celebrations at the Library
Hear some of this country’s top Asian writers discuss and read from their latest works.

Toronto (Thursday, April 30, 2009) - Kicking off its month-long celebration of Asian Heritage, Toronto Public Library hosts an evening exploring New Asian Writing on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 7 p.m. at the North York Central Library (5120 Yonge Street).

What:  
Asian Heritage Month 2009 - New Asian Writing (Opening Night Event)

Where:  
North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street (at the North York Centre Subway stop)

When:  
Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 7 p.m.

Who:  
Hosted By Aparita Bhandari (CBC’s Metro Morning).  Featuring authors Kerri Sakamoto (One Hundred Million Hearts), Saleema Nawaz (Mother Superior), Devyani Saltzman (Shooting Water) and Jaspreet Singh (Chef: A Novel). Featuring contemporary Indian dancing With Menaka Thakkar Dance Company.

Throughout the month of May, Toronto Public Library offers wonderful opportunities to experience and explore Asian music, literature, art and dance through the many and varied programs offered free at our branches across the city. The library is also highlighting its collections for and about the city’s diverse Asian communities, and invites all Torontonians to discover the richness of those collections, both in their original languages and in translation.
 
For more information, pick up an Asian Heritage Month event and recommended reading guide, available at any branch of Toronto Public Library, call Answerline (416-393-7131), or visit the library online at torontopubliclibrary.ca/asianheritage, 

A complete list of all Asian Heritage Month programs is attached. 

For a second year, Asian Heritage Month at Toronto Public Library is proudly supported by RBC. In 2009, RBC increased their annual donation to enhance the Asian Heritage Collection.

Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system. Every year, more than 16 million people visit our 99 branches and borrow almost 30 million items.  To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at www.torontopubliclibrary.caor call Answerline at 416-393-7131.

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Media Contact:
Edward Karek, Communications Officer (416) 397-5925
media@torontopubliclibrary.ca

Asian Heritage Month
Featured Programs

Gurpreet Chana: The Tabla Guy. Traditional rhythms of India and beyond

New Toronto Branch, 110 Eleventh Street, 416-394-5350,
Wednesday, May 6, 2 p.m.

Locke Branch, 3083 Yonge Street, 393-7730
Tuesday, May 12, 2 p.m.

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Meet Saleema Nawaz, author of Mother Superior
North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, 416-395-5535
Thursday, May 7, 7 p.m.

Gerrard/Ashdale Branch, 1432 Gerrard Street East, 416-393-7717
Saturday, May 9, 2 p.m.

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Rukhsana Khan, children’s author and storyteller

North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, 416-395-5535
Saturday, May 9, 2 p.m.

Dawes Road Branch, 416 Dawes Road, 416-396-3820
Thursday, May 14, 1:30 p.m.

St. James Town Branch, 495 Sherbourne Avenue, 416-393-7744
Saturday, May 16, 2 p.m.

Highland Creek Branch, 3550 Ellesmere Road,, 416-396-8876
Friday, May 22, 2 p.m.

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Meet Lien Chao, author The Chinese Knot

Agincourt Branch, 155 Bonis Avenue, 416-396-8943
Tuesday, May 12, 2 p.m.

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Meet Patria Rivera, poet and author of The Bride Anthology

St. James Town Branch, 495 Sherbourne Avenue, 416-393-7744
Saturday, May 9, 2 p.m.

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Meet Kean Soon, graphic novelist and author/illustrator of Jellaby

Fairview Branch, 35 Fairview Mall Drive, 416-395-5750
Tuesday, May 5, 2 p.m.

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Noriko Yamamoto Silent storyteller

Goldhawk Park Branch, 295 Alton Towers Circle, 416-396-8964
Thursday, May 7, 7 p.m.

St.Clair/Silverthorn Branch, 1748 St.Clair Avenues West, 416-393-7709
Thursday, May 14, 2 p.m.

Jane/Sheppard Branch, 1906 Sheppard, 416-395-5966
Thursday, May 21, 2 p.m.

Oakwood Village Library & Arts Centre, 341 Oakwood Avenue, 416-394-1040
Wednesday, May 27, 1:30 p.m.

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Meet Jan Wong author of Beijing Confidential: A Tale of Comrades Lost and Found

Lillian H. Smith Branch, 239 College Street, 416-393-7746
Saturday, May 2, 2:30 p.m.

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Origami: Learn the ancient art of paper folding

Maryvale Branch, Parkway Mall, 85 Ellesmere Road, 416-396-8931
Saturday, May 2, 2 p.m.

Main Street Branch, 137 Main Street, 416-393-7700
Thursday, May 7, 4 p.m.

Parkdale Branch, 1303 Queen Street West, 416-393-7686
Thursday, May 14, 6 p.m.

Downsview Branch,  2793 Keel Street,  416-395-5720
Saturday, May 16, 2 p.m.

Brookbanks Branch, 210 Brookbanks Road, 416-395-5480
Saturday, May 23, 2:30 p.m.

Brentwood Branch, 36 Brentwood Road North, 416-394-5240
Tuesday, May 26, 7 p.m.

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Tamil Storytime: Stories and activities in Tamil

Malvern Branch, 30 Sewells Road, 416-396-8969
Saturdays, May 2-30, 2 p.m.

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Travel around Asia: Saturday morning Storytelling for children  

Parliament Branch, 269 Gerrard Street East416-393-7663
Saturdays, May 2-23, 11 a.m.

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Cantonese Storytime: Registration begins April 20

Woodside Square Branch, Woodside Square Mall, 1571 Sandhurst Circle, 416-396-8979
Fridays, May 8-29, 10:30 a.m.

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Chinese Brush Painting for Mother’s Day: Registration required.

Goldhawk Park Branch, 295 Alton Towers Circle, 416-396-8964
Saturday, May 9, 2 p.m.

Woodside Square Branch, Woodside Square Mall, 1571 Sandhurst Circle, 416-396-8979
Saturday, May 9 and 16, 11 a.m.

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Chinese Storytime: Fingerplays and activities in Mandarin for ages 4-8

Malvern Branch, 30 Sewells Road, 416-396-8969
Saturday, May 9, 3 p.m.

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Chinese Chess.  Enjoy playing this traditional Chinese board game

Woodside Square Branch, Woodside Square Mall, 1571 Sandhurst Circle, 416-396-8979
Monday, May 11 - Friday, May 15, 11 a.m.

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Bernice Hune presents Folktales of Asia. Registration required

Albert Campbell Branch, 496 Birchmount Road, 416-396-8890
Thursday, May 21, 1:30 p.m.

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Calligraphy class.  Supplies provided, registration required, space limited.

Goldhawk Park Branch, 295 Alton Towers Circle, 416-396-8964
Saturday, May 23, 1:30 p.m.

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Tracking the Roots: History of Chinese in Canada with author Arlene Chan

Lillian H. Smith Branch, 239 College Street, 416-393-7746
Saturday, May 23, 2 p.m.

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Folklore, Legends and Crafts Storytime. Registration required

Burrows Hall Branch, 1081 Progress Avenue, 416-396-8740
Saturday, May 30, 2 p.m.

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Puppet Show: Two of Everything and craft making

Sanderson Branch, 327 Bathurst Street, 416-393-7653
Saturday, May 30, 2 p.m.

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Jean Lumb & the History of Chinese in Canada

Author Arlene Chan will talk about her mother, Jean Lumb, the first Chinese Canadian to receive the Order of Canada.

Brentwood Branch, 36 Brentwood Road North, 416-394-5240
Thursday, May 21, 2009
7 p.m. 

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Japanese Tea Ceremony & Kimono

York Woods Branch, 1785 Finch Avenue West, 416-395-5980
Friday, May 15, 2009
1:30 p.m.

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Dance India!

York Woods Branch, 1785 Finch Avenue West, 416-395-5980
Saturday, May 30, 2009
2 p.m.