Aoki Legacy Fund Dinner & Concert
“Here I am at 89, playing the Mozart oboe quartet on my harmonica. Living in the creative art — with no compromise! It feels great!” Harry Aoki
On Friday, May 6, 2011, at 6pm, a dinner and concert honouring Harry and Ted Aoki will be held at St John’s College, 2111 Lower Mall, University of British Columbia. Harry Hiro-o Aoki is one of the most unique musical figures in Canadian culture. His brother Ted Aoki, a university teacher/scholar/philosopher, has devoted his career to progressive education for intercultural understanding. The event will raise funds for the Aoki Legacy fund, designed to continue Harry and Ted’s dedication to intercultural music, dialogue, and education, and to promote harmonious diversity in society. The evening, inspired by the successful 2008 concert honouring Harry Aoki, will begin with a reception and silent auction. It will continue with a gourmet dinner and culminate in an exciting concert integrating musical heartbeats from western classical music, jazz, Japanese and African music, and Celtic fiddling — along with storytelling and modern dance! Tickets are $75 (including dinner, concert and donation to the Aoki Legacy Fund). Tickets will be available April 1, 2011 and reservation information will be provided by the Greater Vancouver JCCA at 604 777 5222. Facebook members can refer to the First Friday Forum page for reservation information. We would also be grateful for contributions to the silent auction. Anything from works of art to useful services or pleasant experiences such as dinner, massage, or a weekend away! If you have something you’d like to contribute please contact Bev Naan at b.naan@shaw.ca.
The Aoki Legacy Fund
In recognition of the Aoki’s unique contributions to Canadian multiculturalism, Harry’s community of friends, in partnership with St. John’s College at the University of British Columbia, have established the Aoki Legacy Fund. The Fund will be used to further the Aoki’s vision for intercultural harmony by equipping a new generation of Canadian and global citizens for living in a multicultural world. The fund grew from seeds planted at the 2008 concert, and from the First Friday Forums.
With Harry’s creative work in mind, we are especially interested in activities that encourage dialogue between artists, musicians, scholars, and members of the public. For example, we envision combining lectures with storytelling, or musical performances in conjunction with workshops for the general public. When fully established, the Fund will be used for a range of public programming, including:
• concerts
• workshops
• lectures by noted thinkers on intercultural issues
• authors readings
• artist/scholar residencies
• further development of the First Friday Forum
