Formerly called Caribbean and South Asian Showcase, the Culture Bridge Festival, a brainchild of Guyanese born Ranji Singh, took place this year in two instalments – firstly, on June 21 at the Phoebe Gilman Public School and secondly, on July 7-9 at Riverwalk Commons and Magna Centre – all in the Town of Newmarket, north of Toronto, Ontario.
Usually, these cultural events are held in Toronto and environs, such as Scarborough, Brampton, Mississauga etc where the bulk of new Canadians have settled over the years and built up sizeable communities. But Ranji, a resident of Newmarket, has successfully bucked the trend and is catering to the growing ethnicities in the outlying region of Newmarket.
The program on June 21 featured a Youth Cricket competition that saw school kids engaged in preparing for, and playing this popular non-traditional Canadian sport in an environment where it is relatively obscure. Talk about bucking the trend!
The July 7-9 weekend program brought together an eclectic mix of musicians, songsters, dancers and other talents that reflect the diverse composition of the Canadian mosaic.
There was an abundance of South Asian contributors covering the sub-cultures of India, such as Hindi (Bollywood), Tamil, Carnatic and Sri Lankan; there were also Steel Pan presenters, Cuban, Flamenco and Aboriginal Hoop dancers, Peruvian Folk dancers, Ecuadorian music by the Imbayakunas, Sori Mori Korean drumming, Italian Folk Dance, Zouk dance music and a Hip-Hop violin offering.
Professional groups that contributed in their areas of specialization were: Ballet Creole Dance Company (Caribbean and African dance and music), Dr. Paromita Kar’s Academy, Pan Fantasy Steelband, Toronto Tabla Ensemble, Spanish Fuego Flamenco Dance Ensemble, Rangara Performing Arts, Vandana Vishwas & Troupe, Grupo Folklorico (Peruvian Folk Dance) and Panwar Music & Dance Productions. Individual contributions came from Sarah & Anisa Bhagwandin (Kathak dance and song/tabla performance); Divya Vivekanandan (Carnatic singer) & Pianist Sahithya Rajith; Amber Deonarine, Aleah & Alana Pitamber (Bollywood dance), Dipa Talukdar & Paromita Roy (Bollywood classical); and Marxman the DJ / DJ Jus Flow.
The festival was funded by the Trillium Foundation and attracted corporate sponsors, such as East River Dental, Metroland Media, Magna and Creekside Dental and York Regional Police.
Dignitaries attending included MP Kyle Peterson, MPP Julia Munro, York Regional Police Inspector Paolo Da Silva, and the Consul General of Sri Lanka.
The program catered for all ages and provided food, a market place and a kid's area.

The following Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) were recently elected and/or re-elected as members of the National Assembly of France:
• Mme. Nadia Ramassamy representing Reunion Island
• Mme. Ericka Bareigts representing Reunion Island
• Hon. Serge Letchimy representing Martinique
Reunion Island, Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana have significant populations of People of Indian Origin whose forebears were brought by the French as indentured labourers beginning in 1828 in Reunion Island, followed by Martinique in 1853, Guadeloupe in 1854 and French Guiana in 1855.
The Indian Diaspora Council International sent letters of congratulations to each of these newly elected PIO representatives stating: “we take much pride in your achievements as a Person of Indian Origin and we applaud you on your representation of the people (of Reunion Island/Martinique) to achieve more progress politically and socially for common good”.

Bring the entire family to meet, greet and eat with old friends at theis year's Canal #1 and The Conservancy Picnic on Sunday July 30 from 10am at Thomson Memorial Park, Area A (with shelter), 1005 Brimley Rd, Scarborough. For more info contact: Mike Mangar 416-291-7843; Email: mike1943@msn.com, Whitee Samaroo 416-508-9515, Jet Ramjit 416-633-4730, Channo 905-420-2433, Azad Khan 647-281-1951, Susan & Cheryl Mangar 647-473-7843.

Shiva-Shakti Cultural Sabha's annual 7-Day Yajna will be held from July 24-30, at Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Morningview Dr, Scarborough. Pandit Mochan Persaud will officiate. Info 416-283-4109/416-284-6575.

The 11th Annual Corentyne Picnic (#66-74 Villages) will be on July 22, 2017 @ Meadowvale Conservation Area, 1081 Old Derry Rd, Mississauga. Entertainment and games for all. DJ music. Info: Mahen 905-277-1580, Mukesh 905-277-9859; Shai 416-910-0392; Babu 647-828-4367.

The province has announced that it is helping families in York Region celebrate Ontario’s 150th anniversary by expanding the Fun Pass for 2017.
The Fun Pass includes coupons that give local elementary school-aged children free admission to 18 provincial attractions, such as the Royal Ontario Museum, the Ontario Science Centre, Science North, Huronia Historical Parks, Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site, and the Butterfly Conservatory. This year, two kids will get in free when accompanied by a paying adult or senior. Families will also get $5 off the regular price of a daily vehicle parking permit at most Ontario Parks day-use areas.
Fun Pass booklets are being given to children in participating school boards and private schools across the province this month. Ontario parents can also access the Fun Pass online at Ontario.ca/funpass.
“I am thrilled that in celebration of Ontario’s 150th anniversary, we are expanding the Fun Pass so that two kids get in free. From seeing exotic butterflies up close at the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara to exploring a 200-year-old shipwreck at Discovery Harbour in Penetanguishene, the Fun Pass helps make summer adventures accessible and affordable,” said Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

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