On September 14, 2025, under a clear blue sky, amidst picturesque autumn colors—red maples blazing like flames and lush green trees providing ample shade—the “Dancing Canada, Enjoying the Sunset Years” square dance performance, hosted by the Canadian Aurora Chinese Multicultural Association and co-organized by the Xinhua Association’s Joyful Life Branch, the 108 Health Promotion Association, and the Cultural Harmony Association, grandly opened in the idyllic setting of Aurora Town Park, Ontario, Canada. This was not only a feast of dance but also an event of cultural exchange and a strengthening of friendship. Aurora Mayor Tom and Ontario MPP Dawn graced the event with their presence, delivering heartfelt speeches that infused this vibrant and warm celebration with official care and community support. Nearly two hundred members from the four associations joined hands on stage, presenting 22 diverse and captivating performances, dancing with health, confidence, and the radiant charm of senior citizens in the autumn sunshine.
Hosts Jiang Hongjun, Hu Yiqing, Bingbing, and Amy Wang took the stage together, radiant and with powerful voices. With boundless enthusiasm, they announced the official start of the performance: “Let’s ignite the stage with our dance steps, light up the autumn light with our smiles, and showcase our unique brilliance!” The four hosts skillfully orchestrated the event, connecting the entire audience; they were both the soul of the stage and a bridge of emotion, injecting a smooth and moving rhythm into the entire performance.
Mayor Tom of Aurora, a long-time supporter of Aurora Chinese Culture, once again graced the event with his presence, instantly bridging the gap with the Chinese community with a warm “Hello!” in Mandarin. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude, saying, “It is an honor to gather with everyone in this historic city park.” He highly praised Aurora Chinese Culture’s efforts in promoting multiculturalism and expressed his sincere thanks to the other three associations for their active participation. He emotionally remarked, “Multicultural activities make our city warmer and more complete. I love watching your performance! I wish today’s event a complete success!”
Ontario MPP Dawn greeted the audience in Mandarin, saying, “It is a great honor to participate in this warm and vibrant gathering.” She emphasized that it is through community organizations that events like this bring people from different cultural backgrounds together to share the beauty of their traditions and build a harmonious and inclusive community. She sincerely wished that every participant would immerse themselves in this wonderful time and feel joy and belonging.
President Zhang of the Aurora Chinese Music Association delivered a speech, first thanking the mayor and councilors for their presence and warmly welcoming friends from the three sister associations to join in the grand event. He stated that today’s stage is not only a display of talent but also a heartfelt transmission of Chinese culture, bringing the audience aesthetic pleasure and spiritual joy. He expressed his sincerest gratitude to all the performers and staff and shouted, “Dance for health, cheers for happiness! Wishing the performance a complete success!”
President Zhang of the Aurora Chinese Music Association also delivered a speech, first thanking the mayor and councilors for their presence and warmly welcoming friends from the three sister associations to join in the grand event. He stated that today’s stage is not only a display of talent but also a heartfelt transmission of Chinese culture, bringing the audience aesthetic pleasure and spiritual joy. He expressed his sincerest gratitude to all the performers and staff and shouted, “Dance for health, cheers for happiness! Wishing the performance a complete success!”
Mr. Li Guixue, President of the Xinhua Association’s Joyful Life Branch, delivered a speech. He expressed his deep feelings, saying, “Aurora Huayun is an old friend and good brother of ours, and there are many things we can learn from them.” He reviewed the long-term friendly cooperation between the two associations, calling it “fruitful and full of friendship.” He looked forward to working together to build a broader exchange platform in the future and jointly promote the prosperity of community culture. He wished the performance a complete success.
The mayor warmly shook hands with Li Guixue, president of the Joyful Life Association, his face beaming with smiles. This moment embodied the warm glow of community respect and cross-cultural friendship.
Under the leadership of President Li Guixue, the Xinhua Association’s Happy Life Branch organized a team of 37 people to actively participate in this performance. They presented four carefully choreographed programs, winning rounds of applause and heartfelt praise from the audience with their well-organized lineup and superb performances, fully demonstrating the team’s cohesion and artistic style.
The Joyful Life Association’s group formation exercise, “Moving Forward All the Way,” choreographed by teacher Zhu Meng, featured twenty-four members making a powerful entrance. With firm steps, fluid formations, and a resounding slogan—”Joyful Life, Moving Forward All the Way!”—they displayed vitality and team spirit with their high-spirited posture and synchronized movements, embodying the enduring belief and optimistic outlook of the elderly.
The saxophone duet of “Polish Waltz” was performed by Hu Yiqing, Wang Fulin, and Zhu Hongli, members of the Happy Life group. The three handsome men played Chopin’s noble and elegant world-famous piece with deep emotion, making it both majestic and melodious. The notes flowed in the autumn breeze, captivating the audience.
The Joyful Life Tai Chi Team presented the 42-Form Tai Chi Sword Performance, “Plum Blossom Snow.” Three Tai Chi enthusiasts have dedicated themselves to preserving and promoting traditional Chinese Tai Chi culture for many years. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, their bodies light and agile, their swordsmanship precise, and their footwork steady, flowing like clouds and water, combining strength and gentleness, revealing power within tranquility and elegance within grace.
The Joyful Life Dance Team 2 performed the Korean ethnic dance “Spring’s End,” choreographed by teacher Lisa. Against the backdrop of fiery red maple leaves, the dancers gracefully moved like colorful butterflies flitting among the flowers. Their movements were light and agile, their expressions sweet and lovely, perfectly blending the gentleness of Eastern dance with the poetry of autumn, presenting the audience with a visual feast.
Each program presented by Aurora Huayun, the Cultural Harmony Association, and the 108 Health Promotion Association was unique and wonderful, winning enthusiastic applause and high praise from the audience. Their artistic level and team spirit are worthy of our in-depth study and respect.
The Cultural Harmony Association’s “Dancing China” square dance is fast-paced, with synchronized movements, exuding rich ethnic charm and joyful atmosphere, and expressing deep praise for the motherland.
The Cultural Harmony Association’s “Dancing China” square dance is fast-paced, with synchronized movements, exuding rich ethnic charm and joyful atmosphere, and expressing deep praise for the motherland.
The 108 Health Promotion Association’s “Crossing the River” double fan dance is ingeniously conceived, with fluttering fan shadows and humorous and vivid movements, recreating the charm of folk life and bringing a smile to people’s faces.
The Aurora Fashion Show, titled “Women Like Books,” made an elegant appearance, with graceful steps and captivating charm, showcasing the wisdom, charm, and confident radiance of mature women.
The 108 Health Promotion Association’s “A Sleeve of Clouds” dance is ethereal and graceful, expressing the poetry and Zen of Eastern aesthetics.
Aurora Huayun’s “Yang Style Tai Chi Thirteen Knife Techniques” demonstrates a steady and restrained style, combining strength and softness, showcasing the profound heritage of traditional martial arts and the calm demeanor of its practitioners.
The Aurora Dance “Apple Fragrance” is cheerful and sweet, with light and graceful steps, overflowing with the joy of harvest and the fragrance of life, making people feel as if they are bathed in the autumn sun.
The Aurora Fashion Sunglasses Show, titled “Fashion Eyes,” is incredibly cool and avant-garde, showcasing the fashionable, confident, and youthful attitude of seniors who stay on trend.
The 108 Health Promotion Association’s “Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan” combines strength and gentleness, with the fan opening like a flower and the movements flowing smoothly!
The Cultural Harmony Association’s “New Woman Flower” fashion show was elegant and sophisticated, with gorgeous costumes that showcased the independent style and timeless beauty of women in the new era.
The 108 Health Promotion Association’s umbrella dance “Beautiful Woman in the Rainy Alley” has a profound artistic conception. Under the oil-paper umbrella, the dancers are like women from Jiangnan who have stepped out of a poem, gentle and moving, captivating the audience.
The Aurora Huayun Tai Chi Stick “Quiet in the Empty Mountain” features gentle movements and long, flowing breaths, conveying inner peace and strength in tranquility.
The cultural harmony dance “The Heart is on the Road” is beautiful in both costume and choreography! The most beautiful scenery in life is always on the journey!
The Aurora Huayun Eight-Form Chen Style Xinyi Hunyuan Tai Chi Chuan “Pipa Language” is a masterpiece. This style achieves harmony between internal and external movements, alternating between stillness and motion, creating a balanced and rhythmic energy. It’s an excellent form of martial arts for health and wellness! The Tai Chi master leading the group is truly a master!
The 108 Health Promotion Association’s “Youthful Steps” fashion show was stylish and full of youthful energy!
Aurora Music’s “Pink Memories” features powerful and stirring drumbeats and graceful and captivating dance!
The Aurora Huayun Square Dance performance, “Let’s Dance Tonight,” is full of energy and has everyone getting excited!
Autumn Musings – Under the brilliant sunshine, in Aurora’s city center park, nestled against blue skies, white clouds, and fragrant grasses, the most eye-catching sight is that old red maple tree. Its lush foliage dances with the vibrant energy of autumn, setting the stage for our square dance performance…
The folk music band from the “Cultural Harmony Association” played a welcoming tune;
The “Joyful Life Association” marched in with their “All the Way Forward” spirit;
The “108 Health Promotion Association” performed “Rain-Swept Beauties,” their umbrellas swaying gracefully, a scene of autumnal charm reminiscent of Jiangnan;
The “Dance Tonight” performance by Aurora Huayun was magnificent, a harmonious gathering of participants, a perfect ending.
A perfect period, a permanent semicolon, let us, along with the old maple tree, witness that beautiful time one last time.
Members of Parliament, Mayor, and Others
Dawn, the MLA for Aurora and Newmarket, is a capable, enthusiastic, and community-oriented woman. She maintains close contact with the Aurora Chinese Community Association. Yesterday, despite having unavoidable business to attend to, she rushed to our event just 50 minutes before leaving for the airport. Before leaving, she reminded us to attend her free community BBQ festival on September 28th.
Mayor Tom of Aurora is a long-time friend of the Aurora Chinese Community Association and gladly attends all our events. He immediately promoted our square dance performance on Facebook. He jokingly remarked that his wife sometimes complains about his busy schedule, but he’ll definitely bring her next time.
Yang Haifeng, President of the Xinhua Association, generously donated six folding tables and thirteen beach chairs upon learning of the shortage of tables and chairs. Unfortunately, he couldn’t attend the performance due to work commitments.
Mr. Si, a founding member of the Aurora Chinese Community Association and current President of the Chongqing Association, made a special trip today to create a video for us. Lois, manager of the Royal Hotel in Toronto, took time out of her busy schedule to volunteer as our translator.
Unity is strength!
The teams participating in the performance, led by their respective presidents, demonstrated a high level of teamwork and excellent conduct. President Li of the Joyful Life Association provided excellent command; his subordinates were neatly dressed, disciplined, and full of energy. President Xie of the Cultural Harmony Association, upon learning that we had forgotten two microphones, proactively offered to help, solving our immediate problem. President Ye of the 108 Health Promotion Association personally participated in four programs and even collaborated with us in a performance. The male volunteers from Aurora Huayun meticulously set up the venue, doing the work of youth, putting in tremendous effort, sweating profusely, and showcasing the brilliance of their twilight years.
Let us remember them, like that old maple tree, forever etched in our memories. Thank you.
Charming Sunset
By Jiang Hongjun
The sun rises over pavilions and green lawns,
Elderly people display their wonders.
Members of parliament and dignitaries marvel at the spectacle,
The aurora borealis suddenly appears, a Chinese spectacle.
The four cities resonate in harmony,
The square further showcases Chinese sentiment.
Living abroad, they enjoy their later years without wasting time,
May they live to a ripe old age without becoming frail.
September 14, 2025
The summary by the Aurora Chinese Culture Association and the beautiful poem by Vice President Jiang Hongjun brought this event to a perfect close! Thank you to Aurora Chinese Culture Association for organizing this joyful and enriching event! It strengthened our friendship! We look forward to our next exciting collaboration!