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Chinese Freemasons and the PHS Community Services Society co-hosted the unveiling ceremony of a plaque to commemorate the 100 anniversary of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s visit to Vancouver as well as his stay at the Pennsylvania Hotel on Friday Oct 7, 2011
The Chinese Freemasons and the PHS Community Services Society co-hosted a ceremony to unveil a plaque to commemorate the 100 anniversary of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s visit to Vancouver and his stay at the Pennsylvania Hotel, originally named the Woods Hotel.
When: Oct 7th (Friday), 2011, 12:00 Noon
Where: Lobby of the Pennsylvania Hotel, 412 Carrall St., Vancouver, BC
Event: Unveiling of the plaque and a reception after.
Chinese Freemasons and the PHS Community Services Society co-host the unveiling ceremony of a plaque to commemorate the 100 anniversary of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s visit to Vancouver as well as his stay at the Pennsylvania Hotel in February 1911. This is also the 100 anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution, which ended thousands of years of monarchy rule in China and established the first republic in Asia.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen led the Xinhai Revolution to victory in 1911, the same year he visited Vancouver and he is popularly considered the founding father of modern China.
Chuck Chang Executive (Vice Chairman Chinese Freemasons National Headquarters of Canada): “The Chinese Freemason mortgaged our buildings to help raised tens of thousands of dollars for the revolution. Many of our members also took part in direct action for the course, some sacrificing their lives for the revolution.”
Chuck Chang Executive (Vice Chairman Chinese Freemasons National Headquarters of Canada): “The Chinese Freemason covered the expenses of Dr. Sun’s visit in 1911. We also provided protection to make sure that Dr. Sun’s personal safety was not compromised. One hundred years later, we are still proud of our support to the revolution.”
Dr. Dan Small: “We are proud and honored that Pennsylvania Hotel, formerly known as the Woods Hotel and the Portland Hotel, is connected to such an significant event in human history; and that the Hotel hosted such an important person as Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the founding father of modern China and the first president of China.”
Dr. Dan Small: “The core belief of the PHS Community Services Society is to support progressive social changes and to promote tolerance of people with diversity of lifestyle and ideas, whether or not such ideas are popular at the current time or not.”
Dr. Dan Small: “We treasure this special and historical link between Dr. Sun Yat-Sen and the Pennsylvania Hotel. We also treasure this special and historical link between the Chinese community and the PHS Community Services Society.”
BACKGROUNDER: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen played a key and leading role in the 1911 Xinhai Revolution that toppled the Qing Dynasty in China, ending monarchy rule that has lasted for thousands of years in the China and established the first republic in Asia.
The revolution commenced with an army uprising in the city of Wuchang in central China on Oct 10th, 1911.
In the same year, in 1911, believed from February 6th to the 18th, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen spent about two weeks in Vancouver. Dr. Sun was a guest of the Chinese Freemason and stayed at Woods Hotel, now the Pennsylvania Hotel, dodging assassination attempts from his adversaries while conducting an uprising in Southern China.
The Chinese Freemason hosted Dr. Sun’s visit in 1911 and help raise tens of thousands of dollars for the revolution, mortgaging their buildings to raise the crucial funds.
According to the recollection of the Chinese Freemason, they paid a total of $97.30 to settle Dr. Sun’s hotel bill, as well as $195.40 for Dr. Sun’s telegraph expenses.
One of the core operations of the PHS Community Services Society is providing housing accommodation to clients with special needs. And the first such housing projects for the PHS was the Portland Hotel, formerly called the Woods Hotel where Dr. Sun Yat-Sen stayed 100 years ago.
Below are videos of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen ‘s Plaque unveiling at Pennsylvania Hotel in Vancouver
AHA MEDIA recently had the great pleasure of witnessing the unveiling of a very special little piece of Vancouver’s amazing history.
In 1911, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen visited Vancouver to raise support for the revolution happening in China. He came to Vancouver and stayed in the Pennsylvania Hotel in our own DTES, welcomed warmly by the Chinese Freemasons society of Vancouver and protected by them as agents had followed him from China to Vancouver and were intent on stopping him.
100 years later, the Portland Hotel Society welcomed us all to the recently renovated Pennsylvania Hotel to witness the unveiling of a beautiful plaque commemorating the good Dr’s visit.
There were many representatives from the city of Vancouver including Councillor Kerry Jang, Councillor Ellen Woodsworth, Andrea Reimer and Sarah Blyth. MLA Jenny Kwan who gave a stirring speech in both English and Chinese to the crowd.
Members of the Chinese Freemasons, people from the Portland Hotel Society, as well as Chinese senior citizens from Chinatown were all present to see the grand unveiling of the plaque.
Afterwards, we adjourned to the Calabash Bistro to enjoy traditional Caribbean food and each other’s company on this momentous historic day!
Jack Layton Candlelight Vigil and Memorial at the Vancouver Art Gallery
Vancouver came out to remember Jack Layton and to pay their last respects one of Canada’s greatest politicians!
John Gilbert “Jack” Layton, PC (July 18, 1950 – August 22, 2011) was a Canadian social democratic politician and the Leader of the Official Opposition. He was the leader of the New Democratic Party from 2003 to 2011, and previously sat on Toronto City Council, serving at times during that period as acting mayor and deputy mayor of Toronto. He was the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Toronto—Danforth from 2004 until his death.
Below are videos and photos from the Candlelight Vigil and Memorial at the Vancouver Art Gallery
Thursday April 14, 2011 daytime of 24 hour Soccer Marathon to save New Fountain shelter at Vancouver Art Gallery
A bit about the New Fountain Shelter:
Opened at Christmas in 2008, the New Fountain Shelter, funded for only 27 beds, regularly sleeps close to 40 people night after night. In addition to providing a temporary shelter for Vancouver’s homeless the New Fountain has connected over 300 people to safe, permanent housing and works hard toconnect people to the medical and social services they need. BC Housing has announced that funding will not be continued beyond April 30th, after which time the Shelter would be forced to close, putting people back on the streets.
Below are photos of Jenny Kwan, Mike Farnsworth and Sarah Blyth
Below is a video of a cheque being awarded to New Fountain Shelter
AHA MEDIA filmed at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival Opening Ceremonies at Carnegie Community Centre on Wednesday Oct 27, 2010
Special Event
FESTIVAL OPENING CEREMONIES
Wednesday October 27, 2pm sharp
Carnegie Community Centre Theatre, 401 Main
Join friends from the neighbourhood and a very special guest for the grand opening of the seventh annual festival! Hear words of insight into the heart and home of the DTES from guest speakers, poets and artists of this community. Featured local artists include: Sam George (Tse-at-sul-tuxch) of the Squamish Nation who will open with a Welcome Song; beloved DTES poet and activist Bud Osborn; powerful traditional dance and music from Mike Dangeli and Mique’l Askren of Nisga’a, Tlingit and Tsimshian descent; neighbourhood treasure Takeo Yamashiro with his ethereal shakuhachi music; poet and community inspiration Stephen Lytton; the swinging Carnegie Jazz Band led by Brad Muirhead; and the uplifting Carnegie Village Choir led by Beverly Dobrinsky. Pre-ceremony piano entertainment from DTES treasure Stan Hudac. Reception to follow with special guest. Everyone welcome! Arrive early to get a seat as a full house is expected.
Below is a photo of Stan Hudac playing at Carnegie Centre
Below are photos and video of special guest, The Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point coming into Carnegie Centre at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below is a video of Carnegie Centre Jazz Band playing at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below is a video of Kat Norris giving to The Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below is a video of Carnegie Jazz Band playing O Canada, Kat Norris speaks, and Sam George at the opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below is a photo and video of Sam George of Squamish Nation playing a Welcome Song in Carnegie Centre at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below is a photo of special guest – The Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below is a video of The Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point welcoming folks to the Opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below is a video of The Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point speaking at the opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below is a video of The Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point invites the folks at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver to come to Victoria
Below is a video of Gena Thompson, Terry Hunter, Ethel Whitty, Bud Osborn, Takeo Yamashiro at the opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below is a photo of Bud Osborn, beloved DTES poet and activist
Below is a photo of Takeo Yamashiro with his ethereal shakuhachi music
Below are photos and video of St James Music Academy choir performing at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below is Jenny Kwan, MLA for Vancouver – Mount Pleasant speaking at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below are photos of Vancouver City Councillor Heather Deal presenting a City of Vancouver proclamation ” Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival Day” to Terry Hunter and Gena Thompson at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below is a photo of Ethel Whitty and The Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below is a photo and a livestream video from a Nokia N97 mini cameraphone of St James Music Academy performing at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below is a video of Dalannah Gail Bowen at the opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below is a photo of the audience at the opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below is photo and video of Git Hayetsk Dancers performing at the opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below are photos, video and a livestream video from a Nokia N97 mini cameraphone of Stephen Lytton and Carnegie Village Choir perform at the opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below are photo of April Smith’s hands livestreaming a video using a Nokia N97 mini cameraphone
Below are livestream videos using a Nokia N97 mini cameraphone, videos and photos of Rosanne Gervais and Carnegie Jazz Band at the opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below are photos and a livestream video using a Nokia N97 mini cameraphone of Diane Wood and Richard Tetrault presenting to The Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below is a video and livestream video from a Nokia N97 mini cameraphone of Git Hayetsk dancers leading the Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point out of Canegie Theatre at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver
Below is a photo of Terry Hunter holding the City of Vancouver proclamation “Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival Day”
Below are photos of Jenny Kwan and Terry Hunter being happy
Below is a photo of the Reception
Below is Richard Czaban of AHA MEDIA with The Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point
AHA MEDIA is very proud to help provide social media coverage of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver from Pre festival events starting Wed Oct 20, 2010 through to the Main Festival during Wed Oct 27 – Sun Nov 7, 2010
http://www.heartofthecityfestival.com
AHA MEDIA is about exploring mobile media production through New Media cameras. For a better quality version of video or for additional footage, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter or Facebook.com/AprilFilms
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AHA MEDIA attended a CCAP meeting at Carnegie Centre where Carole James – British Columbia NDP Leader and Jenny Kwan – NDP MLA for Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant came tosee a presentation of ” Mapping the Community ” done by Vancouver Downtown Eastside residents
AHA MEDIA attended a CCAP meeting at Carnegie Centre where Carole James – British Columbia NDP Leader and Jenny Kwan – NDP MLA for Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant came to see a presentation of ” Mapping the Community ” done by Vancouver Downtown Eastside residents
CCAP ( Carnegie Community Action Project ) is at http://www.ccapvancouver.wordpress.com
Below is a photo of Jenny Kwan and Carole James
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In this video, A round of introductions occur at a meeting at Carnegie Centre where CCAP ( Carnegie Community Action Project) invited guests such as Am Johal together with Carole James – British Columbia NDP ( New Democratic Party) Leader and Jenny Kwan – NDP MLA for Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant
This was filmed by April Smith of AHA MEDIA on a Nokia N95 mobile cameraphone. April is passionate and skilled in making Nokia films by exploring mobile media production through the camera lens of a cellphone. For a better quality version of this video, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter or Facebook.com/AprilFilms
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In this video, Wendy Pedersen – CCAP (Carnegie Community Action Project) Researcher/Organizer gives a presentation on the “Mapping the Community” project done by residents of the Downtown Eastside (DTES) and CCAP to tell their stories of our neighborhood to Carole James – British Columbia NDP ( New Democratic Party) Leader and Jenny Kwan – NDP MLA for Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant
This was filmed by April Smith of AHA MEDIA on a Nokia N95 mobile cameraphone. April is passionate and skilled in making Nokia films by exploring mobile media production through the camera lens of a cellphone. For a better quality version of this video, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter or Facebook.com/AprilFilms
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Below is a photo of everyone watching the presentation
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In this video, Wendy Pedersen – CCAP (Carnegie Community Action Project) Researcher/Organizer gives a presentation on the “Mapping the Community” project done by residents of the Downtown Eastside (DTES) and CCAP to tell their stories of our neighborhood to Carole James – British Columbia NDP ( New Democratic Party) Leader and Jenny Kwan – NDP MLA for Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant
This was filmed by April Smith of AHA MEDIA on a Nokia N95 mobile cameraphone. April is passionate and skilled in making Nokia films by exploring mobile media production through the camera lens of a cellphone. For a better quality version of this video, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter or Facebook.com/AprilFilms
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In this video, Carole James – British Columbia NDP ( New Democratic Party) Leader and Jenny Kwan – NDP MLA for Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant comment after seeing a presentation by Wendy Pedersen – CCAP (Carnegie Community Action Project) Researcher/Organizer
This was filmed by April Smith of AHA MEDIA on a Nokia N95 mobile cameraphone. April is passionate and skilled in making Nokia films by exploring mobile media production through the camera lens of a cellphone. For a better quality version of this video, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter or Facebook.com/AprilFilms
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