May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada — a time to celebrate the culture, history, and contributions of Asian Canadians and immigrants. You can find the full list of events here:
www.asianheritage.ca

KJLS is proud to participate again this year as an AHM community partner. Join us for a variety of events and help us celebrate Asian heritage together.

AHM Events with KJLS

May 3 (Saturday): Opening Forum

The official kick-off event for Asian Heritage Month. Admission is free.
KJLS’s Awa Odori group “Suiryuren” will be performing. Light refreshments will be provided.
Location: Metro Hub (1265 Ellis St)
Time: 2:00 – 4:30 PM
Feel free to invite friends and join us.

May 11 (Sunday): Family Art Sunday – Japanese Pattern Card Workshop

Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Kelowna Art Gallery. Artist Yukiko Smiley will lead a workshop where participants can create original greeting cards using traditional Japanese patterns.

• Registration is required
• $6 per person
• 6 sessions available (each 45 minutes, up to 6 people per session)
• Time: 10:00 AM – 4:15 PM
  Register here: Kelowna Art Gallery – Family Sundays

Family Sunday Schedule

• May 4: Korea
• May 11: Japan
• May 18: Philippines
• May 25: China

May 12–16: AHM Movie Week

A selection of films featuring Asian Canadian and immigrant stories will be screened at the Downtown Library.
Details to be announced soon.

May 31 (Saturday): AHM Showcase

Join us for the grand finale of Asian Heritage Month. Enjoy performances and sample food from a variety of Asian cultures (food available for purchase).
KJLS will be serving Japanese chicken curry (tentative) and desserts, with support from Soy Asian Fusion Restaurant.
Suiryuren and other cultural performers will take the stage.
Location: Immaculate Conception Church Parish Center (839 Sutherland Ave)
Time: 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Performance times to be confirmed (we’ve requested an early time slot)

Group Singing Performance
Children from our community programs — Japanese Storytime, KJLS Language School, Genki Kids, and Suiryuren — will sing “Gu Choki Pa” and “Musunde Hiraite” together.
If your child will participate, please help them practice at home.
Practice video: YouTube – Gu Choki Pa
Parents of children under age 3 are kindly asked to accompany them on stage. Feel free to wear yukata or jinbei!

We have a month full of exciting events.
For the May 31 Showcase, we encourage everyone to join in wearing traditional clothing.
Let’s enjoy celebrating together!