The dedicated team behind the 2023 Toronto Dragon Festival worked tirelessly to achieve remarkable success, shining a light on continuous innovation and the way cultural harmony comes together to celebrate the vibrant tapestry of multiculturalism.
By Meena Ma
Opening Spectacle and Eagle Li’s Story
The world saw itself come to a halt in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic spread all over – the entertainment industry was no exception. The renowned Cirque du Soleil, an entertainment company known for its mesmerizing and innovative circus-style performances that blend acrobatics, theater, and music into spectacular shows, also saw a pause in production. Eagle Li was a featured performer with Cirque du Soleil. Just before the pandemic, he had recently participated in a high-pole lion dance at the production MESSI10, alongside the famous soccer star Lionel Messi.
Li has been practicing Chinese kung fu since childhood and possesses many years of experience in lion dance performances. After over two decades of dedicated training and displaying his skills on the global stage, he became a featured performer with Cirque du Soleil. However, with their performances on hold, Li made his way to Toronto and assembled a high-pole lion dance team of his own, diligently training new members and waiting for new opportunities.
Through a chance encounter, they caught the attention of David Zhang, the chief director of the Toronto Dragon Festival (TDF), who then proactively arranged for them to perform at the event.
When Li’s high-pole lion dance act made its debut, it created a tremendous sensation among the audience.
After the first successful show, Li completely transitioned to TDF and became the ensemble’s permanent member.
“Participating in ‘MESSI10’ has been the most meaningful performance of my life,” Li said. “It showcases Messi’s unwavering spirit of perseverance, making it an incredibly inspiring show.”
While Li communicated his gratitude towards the MESSI10 event, he also stated he’s even happier now that he and his team can participate in the TDF’s annual performances. He is particularly enthusiastic about developing and promoting lion dance culture abroad as of Chinese descent.
Leader and Directorial Vision
David has been the chief director of the TDF since its inception. Despite holding a full-time IT job, he has proven to be one of the most talented directors in the Toronto-Chinese community, with a successful track record of over a decade. Each year at the TDF, David aspires to introduce innovative elements to deliver the most dazzling content to the audience.
“Lion dance is one of China’s most important traditional performances during festivals and celebrations,” said David. “And high pole dance is the most challenging aspect within lion dance performances. The organizing committee of TDF is delighted to have someone of international caliber like Eagle join the permanent team.”
2023 saw Canada’s very first Lion Dance Invitational Tournament. It was a remarkable innovation both conducted and led by Li, with his significant experience in this field.
Li extended invitations to four Chinese lion dance teams, and their performances were evaluated by a panel of eight judges who applied well-established sports criteria for assessment. The sports criteria for the assessment of lion dance competitions typically include factors such as precision of movements, coordination between the lion dancers, the difficulty and intricacy of the routines, synchronization with the accompanying music and drumming, artistic expression and overall presentation. This event has also become one of this year’s highlights at the TDF, drawing significant popularity.
When asked if Li regrets leaving the Cirque du Soleil to join the TDF, he confidently opposed. Li emphasized that he is immensely grateful for the opportunities he has found in Toronto, especially with the support of John Zhang, the chair of the TDF organizing committee.
John is also the president of the Canadian Association of Chinese Performing Arts (CACPA), the organizer of the TDF.
CACPA’s mission is to advance Chinese traditional culture through the medium of performing arts. Its members are individuals who are both passionate about performing arts and possess a positive outlook on life while actively contributing to the community.
For decades, John has resided and worked in Canada, dedicating himself to organizing and hosting cultural events within the Chinese community. His passion lies in seamlessly blending Chinese culture into Canada’s diverse cultural landscape through various cultural and artistic initiatives.
In a generous gesture aimed at fostering the development of lion dance in Toronto, John provided Li and his team with a substantial venue; a great improvement since last year. This support allowed them to wholeheartedly cultivate and practice the tradition daily.
“After Li arrived in Toronto last year and formed a new team, David started to explain. “They faced a financial shortfall. It was John who generously provided them with equipment storage and training facilities for an entire year, free of charge.”
David Zhang shared that the nearly 2,000 square feet facility is John’s company premises. David said John’s intention was to ensure that Li and his team could train without any worries, enabling them to deliver outstanding performances at the annual Dragon Festival.
In gratitude for John’s recognition of their potential and the opportunities provided, Li made the choice to become a permanent part of TDF, with the hope of repaying this kindness.
At 65 years old, John is actively involved in every aspect of the TDF as the festival’s leader. While he could just simply delegate tasks, he personally participated in the hands-on work during the festival. If you didn’t know he was the chair of the festival, you might mistake him for a dedicated volunteer, donning a cap and tirelessly contributing his physical effort every year before TDF commences.
David Zhang, though they are not related, has been John Zhang’s partner for over the past decade. He commented on the dedication of John’s hard work and said that the core team members were concerned about his well-being due to his relentless work ethic, often seeing him appear exhausted.
“I remember during the first TDF, the core team members of the organizing committee were working very closely,” David started. “One day, I found out that his complexion looked dark, and he appeared quite haggard. We were worried about him, urging him to take a break, fearing that he might face health issues.”
The core team of TDF consists of four members, John Zhang and David Zhang, executive director Susan Xu and deputy chief director, Kitty Chen. They come together to work for a common goal – promoting Chinese culture overseas.
Each year, with everyone giving their utmost, the festival has grown stronger and more successful; this year is no different.
Technological Innovations and Cultural Fusion
According to the organizing committee of TDF, this year has witnessed remarkable growth in attendance. Iits inaugural event in 2018 drew roughly 20,000 people. The following year brought 60,000 attendees and the third edition in 2022 attracted 85,000 visitors. This year, the festival achieved an extraordinary milestone as the total number of attendees surpassed 100,000 over three days.
Beyond the collective efforts of every TDF member, other crucial factors contributing to this year’s success were the remarkable technological innovation, breakthroughs and cultural fusion.
This year, TDF hosted a continuous live broadcast across multiple platforms for three days. Additionally, a remote-controlled LED main stage screen was introduced at Nathan Phillips Square, significantly enhancing the audience’s real-time viewing experience of the on-site events.
There’s an ancient Chinese saying that goes, “All things are difficult before they are easy.” The TDF organizing committee faced various challenges and underwent numerous tests to ensure the successful implementation of all these technological upgrades.
“From picking the right gear, doing on-the-spot testing, and building the technical crew wasn’t easy,” said David, “ And when it came down to coordinating and executing everything on-site, that was the real deal. But our tech team, they’re the real champs here.”
David added that they were dealing with tricky conditions, like extending cables way up high, which had its fair share of risks. Plus, they pulled off something pretty amazing – getting high-definition wireless transmissions to work flawlessly across some really long distances, over 100 metres and beyond.
This significant innovation greatly enhanced this year’s global outreach by substantial technological upgrade. The fusion of diverse cultures at the festival also attracted participation from people of various ethnic backgrounds.
For instance, the opening act featured a cultural performance with seven Indigenous performing groups. They showcased authentic Indigenous culture through singing, dancing and drumming performances.
David stated that it is a powerful demonstration of their commitment to celebrating multiculturalism and showcasing their deep respect for Canada’s Indigenous communities.
“Our decision to feature Indigenous performers in the opening act was a symbolic gesture,” said David. “It highlights the festival’s mission to foster cultural understanding and unity among different communities.”
In addition to the Indigenous performances, the TDF also introduced other non-Chinese cultural performances in recent years, such as Russian ballet, African traditional dance and a youth pop dance performance from the Filipino community who joined the organization for the second time.
Josie De Leon, the instructor of the Filipino dance group, is not only a talented singer and actress but also an experienced dancer. She embarked on her career in the Philippines and relocated to Canada 25 years ago.
Upon settling in Canada, she founded the JDL Performing Arts School, aiming to introduce the art of singing and dancing to the younger generation.
Over the past 12 years, the school has expanded to three different branches in Toronto. Josie’s dance group has become the leading dance troupe in the Filipino community.
“It was a great privilege to be a part of this festival. I wanted our youth dance group to be involved in such a high caliber event,” said Leon. “I’m truly thankful to the chief director, David Zhang, for inviting us to participate in this year’s TDF again, and we are looking forward to taking part in next year.”
Another vibrant non-Chinese addition to this year’s TDF is a fresh face in the hosting team, Maomao. He is fluent in Chinese and spent an impressive 14 years working and studying in China. His deep emotional connection to the country and a profound understanding of Chinese culture sets him apart.
While most of the festival’s hosts primarily communicate in English, Maomao decided to break the mold by predominantly using Chinese. This choice brought a sense of familiarity to the Chinese-speaking audience in attendance, creating an instant connection and engagement.
As the TDF continues to evolve, its commitment to fostering cultural exchange is underway.
“This festival is like a melting pot of cultures,” said David, “As we are in this multicultural country, we are trying to blend tradition and innovation. It’s not just a Chinese event anymore; it’s a party that invites everyone, regardless of where they come from.”
David also introduced another exciting element to this year’s performance team. He invited two highly talented city councillors, Markham’s Amanda Yeung Collucci and Richmond Hill’s Simon Cui, to join this year’s performance team.
“This initiative aims to showcase our Chinese artistic talents as prominent Chinese-Canadian politicians,” said David, ”This also stands out as a highlight in our lineup this year because it’s rare for the audience to witness performances by the politicians.”
Like many newcomers, Collucii’s early days in Canada were marked by the challenges of finding employment to sustain herself. She recalls her first job at a restaurant, which unfortunately ended after just one day, leaving her without any pay.
However, these setbacks only fueled her determination. She embarked on a journey of self-improvement, pursuing higher education and eventually enrolled at York University to study economics. Her dedication and hard work allowed her to acquire knowledge and refine her skills. In 2014, she became the first Chinese female councillor elected in Markham.
Collucci enjoys singing and dancing. She often participates in various community events in Toronto. This time, she was invited to perform at the TDF, and she sang a popular Chinese song.
”I‘m very honoured to be invited to perform at the Festival which holds significant importance for us as Chinese people,” said Collucci. “Dragon represents our heritage and our values. Wherever we are, in any country, whether first, second, or third-generation immigrants, we will always be Chinese.“
Collucci emphasized that all Chinese people should take pride in their culture. The TDF serves as a powerful reminder for all Chinese about our identity as descendants of the dragon.
Cui is a long-time community activist. When he first arrived in Canada 22 years ago, he worked in general labour for two years before studying at Seneca College and York University.
Prior to his current role, Cui served as a school board trustee for the York Region, overseeing around cities and regions, 13,000 students and 300 schools. This involvement reflects his commitment to advocating for cultural values and ideas in the educational context.
His parents have always had a strong passion for ethnic music, which greatly influenced him during his childhood, fostering his love for music. He began playing the flute in middle school and later started playing the guitar in high school.
“After coming to Canada, I self-learned various musical instruments,” said Cui, “Including the piano, guzheng and guqin. Playing different instruments became an integral part of my life.”
This time, the TDF organizing committee invited him to perform a flute-playing show. Similar to Collucci, Cui said he is very honoured to be invited to join this great event.
The two Chinese-Canadian legislators participated in this year’s TDF in dual capacities. They attended as performers but also came as counsellors to support this event and attended the opening ceremony on Sept. 1, 2023.
The festival also introduced innovations in even the most traditional aspects of Chinese folk culture. For example, the art of paper cutting, which has been passed down in China for thousands of years, witnessed some innovative approaches.
Zhan Zhang is the poster designer for this year’s TDF and also one of the many booth owners at the festival. Her booth primarily showcases her own paper-cutting art.
The origins of Chinese paper cutting have over 2000 years of history. This art form gained popularity as paper became more economically accessible. Historically, paper cuts were employed for adorning windows and doors. They were often glued to the exterior of the windows, allowing the light to shine through the negative space, creating various patterns and designs.
However, Zhan’s paper-cutting art is a fusion of Western aesthetics and elements with the foundation of traditional Chinese paper cutting.
“This blend has resulted in the creation of contemporary paper-cutting artworks with a modern artistic sensibility,” noted Zhan. “One remarkable feature of my paper-cut pieces is that each one is meticulously crafted by hand.”
Zhan pursued her undergraduate studies in Canada, majoring in art management, and obtained a double degree in fine arts. Subsequently, she pursued a master’s degree in 3D animation. However, her journey into paper cutting was entirely self-initiated, starting from scratch.
“Due to my diverse background in various art disciplines, I developed a profound interest in paper cutting,” said Zhan. “ I have been practicing paper cutting for about five to six years now, and my works have gradually gained popularity. I have since ventured into organizing exhibitions on a larger scale and participating in various art-related events, such as this year’s Dragon Festival.”
Owing to the innovative and unique style of Zhan’s paper-cutting artworks, her creations have gained immense popularity. She expressed her strong desire to promote this traditional Chinese art with innovation to a broader international audience.
Zhan’s paper-cutting booth was just one of the creative and highly appreciated stalls at this year’s TDF. According to the Organizing Committee, the festival featured over 100 booths showcasing cultural traditions, small goods and a variety of delicious cuisines.
Another significant aspect of this festival comprised continuous live performances distributed across three different zones: the open square area, the water show stage and the main stage.
These live shows included concerts, traditional folk dances, Beijing Opera, cultural and artistic exhibitions, captivating Kung Fu and martial arts demonstrations, a stunning fashion showcase and live DJ performances on the water. These diverse performances unfolded sequentially on the three stages.
Sam Zhang, a passionate overseas Chinese man who deeply loves the 5000-year-old traditional Chinese culture, has been living in Canada since 1997. Although his three children were born in Canada, Sam often reminds them not to forget their roots as descendants of the Dragon. He consciously brought them to this festival to experience the atmosphere of Chinese culture.
“I came with my wife, my daughter and her boyfriend,” said Sam, “I also invited several of my relatives to come to witness the opening ceremony of this Dragon Festival, because I told them we are descendants of the Huaxia, inheritors of the Dragon’s legacy, must not forget the spirit of the Dragon.”
After witnessing the opening ceremony, Sam and his family were filled with excitement and a sense of patriotism.
“I deeply admire the organizers of this festival for promoting Chinese culture overseas,” said Sam, “I never expected to feel such a strong Chinese cultural atmosphere after immigrating to North America.”
Coincidentally, there was a booth at the TDF showcasing traditional Chinese Hanfu attire, allowing visitors to experience ancient Chinese clothing. Sam’s daughter and her boyfriend also donned Hanfu at the event to immerse themselves in Chinese culture.
The Festival’s Broader Impact and Conclusion
In a striking testament to its burgeoning popularity, the TDF has witnessed a remarkable surge in media coverage and attention.
According to the organizing committee, its journey from its inaugural edition, which saw coverage from only a handful of English-language media outlets, to over 50 media organizations this year, marking a stark contrast to its modest beginnings.
While it historically received coverage from Chinese and local Chinese media, it has now successfully piqued the interest of prominent media outlets, including CBC, Global News TV, Toronto Star, CP24,CityNews Toronto, blogTO, Global Times, Now Toronto, Daily Hive and more.
“Toronto’s diversity is its strength,“ said John Kiru, the executive director at the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas, and the former president of CNE. “It is prominently displayed during street festivals where various cultures celebrate traditions and cuisine.”
Kiru added that events like the TDF provide opportunities to celebrate these cultural icons. Expanding the Dragon Festival’s size is encouraging, and supporting such events, whether from the Chinese, Greek, Italian, or other communities, is vital for Toronto’s urban fabric.
The 2023 Toronto Dragon Festival concluded as a powerful testament to the beauty of multiculturalism and unity. Under John Zhang’s leadership, the festival transformed Nathan Phillips Square into a vibrant hub of diverse cultural celebrations.
The festival’s success transcended mere entertainment; it became a unifying force that attracted participants and audiences from various backgrounds. The Toronto Dragon Festival, with its blend of tradition and innovation, set a new standard for cultural festivals, inspiring a future where cultural integration is not just envisioned but celebrated as a living reality.
