Chinese music festival takes place Nov. 15

The Chinese Association of Greater Toledo and the Association of Chinese Faculty and Staff at The University of Toledo will present a culturally rich entertainment program in Doermann Theater Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, from 3 to 5:30 pm.

The event will be a chance for the two organizations to showcase China, a country with more than 5,000 years of history and 1.3 billion people.  

“We hope to encourage members of our community to increase their awareness of the rich, cultural presence of our Chinese friends and neighbors in Toledo,” said Dr. Jiquan Chen, UT professor of environmental sciences and president of the Association of Chinese Faculty and Staff.

More than 100 children and adults will take the stage for performances that will include lion dance, choir, tai chi, Chinese folk music, piano, dance, Peking opera and a fashion show.  

Guests also may partake in a special complimentary tea tasting as they enter the theater beginning at 2:30 p.m.

There are several thousand Chinese in the Greater Toledo area involved in education, research, business or simply visiting, according to Chen.

“One of the greatest challenges for this group of people is not only to adapt to the new cultural environment, but also to add the value of its heritage to the local community,” he said. “With accelerating economic development in China, we anticipate a fast-growing number of Chinese in the region and an increase in exchanges of education and business, as well as cultural and social programs.”

For more information on this free, public event, contact Luanne Billstein of the Chinese Association of Greater Toledo at 419.536.9499 or [email protected]