2016 CARIBBEAN & SOUTH ASIAN SHOWCASE LANDS IN YORK REGION FOR ITS FIFTH YEAR
Newmarket, ON – Ranji Singh Foundation (RSF) is thrilled to announce the 5th Annual Caribbean & South Asian Showcase (CASAS), which includes a two-day festival in Newmarket and a community day of cricket workshops and music in East Gwillimbury. On Friday, local MPP Chris Ballard met with members of RSF to congratulate them on the two grants it has recently received from Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to help with the two project. When combined, funds from the two grants total $469,500.
“The Ranji Singh Foundation enriches people’s lives through arts, culture and heritage. The Ontario Trillium Foundation grant allows the foundation to help grow and strengthen our communities by celebrating diversity,” said Chris Ballard, MPP Newmarket Aurora. “Additionally, the grant received for its ‘Cricket in Schools’ initiative, will help youth in York Region develop stronger social skills and learn a popular sport.”
RSF gratefully acknowledges its OTF grant of $440,000 over three years for the delivery of CASAS to strengthen the local communities through celebrations of cultural diversity, and enriching people’s lives through arts, culture and heritage. In a separate funded project, RSF is currently piloting cricket in three schools in northern York Region to support the positive development of children and youth, and for them to develop strong physical, emotional and social skills – again thanks to an OTF grant of $29,500 over 12 months.
In June, the CASAS Cricket & Community Day will engage local youths in interactive cricket workshops conducted in partnership with York Regional Police. Music and other activities will be included off-field to engage families. Bring a picnic basket and a chair, and enjoy the day. Admission is free. CASAS Cricket & Community Day will take place on Sunday, June 26th from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Harvest Hills Park, 145 Harvest Hills Blvd, East Gwillimbury.
“CASAS provides a powerful platform to nurture and acknowledge communities from around the globe,” said Ranji Singh, CEO of RSF. “It’s an opportunity to learn about, and celebrate, our rich ethnic diversity, as well as share in the opportunity for arts and cultural development.”
From July 9-10th, the CASAS Festival will celebrate with two days of food, fashion, music, and dance that showcase not only the rich artistry and cultural expressions from the Caribbean and South Asia, but from around the world. New to this year’s festival is the addition of cultural performances from Russia, Korea, China, the Mediterranean and Latin America. The artistic lineup includes award-winning Pan Fantasy Steelband, South Asian classical and Bollywood dancers, Calypso Queen – Macomere Fifi, Destiny Band, Glenn Marais Band, Ballet Creole, fire limbo, and DJ Jus Flow, among others.
There will be fashion and craft vendors, yummy island foods, South Asian curries, fresh coconut water and a cash bar. Community engagement will be fostered through children’s activities, interactive music and dance, and informative demonstrations and workshops.
Admission is free. CASAS encourages patrons to bring a non-perishable food item for on-site donation to the Newmarket Food Pantry. The CASAS Festival will take place at the MAGNA Centre, 800 Mulock Drive, Newmarket. For more information about times and the program, please visit: www.ranjisinghfoundation.org
About Ranji Singh Foundation: RSF, a registered charity, produces events and programs to combat social and psychological isolation through intergenerational, integrative social activities reflective of the significant demographic shift in the region.
About The Ontario Trillium Foundation: The leading grantmaking foundation in Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investments in community-based initiatives. An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities: www.otf.ca
