Ottawa, September 20, 2025 — Nearly 700 people filled the theatre Saturday night for the Palette of Cultures Showcase, celebrating Ottawa’s diversity through music, dance, and theatre.
Ambassadors and Senators
Ambassadors, Senatros, and two Yue Opera artists
Co-Chair: Honourable Victor Oh
Title Sponsor: ICBK CEO Terry Wu
Intermission Emcee: Adrian Harewood
Ambassadors from more than 20 countries, including Thailand, Morocco, Spain, Peru, Brazil, El Salvador, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Tunisia, China, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Serbia, Egypt, Turkey, Romania, Colombia, Kosovo, Myanmar, and Poland, joined Canadian leaders in supporting the event. Greetings came from Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, retired and current Senators Victor Oh and Yuen Pau Woo, and others, who praised the Showcase as a model of cultural exchange.
Opening Performance – Scotland the Brave by Sons of Scotland Bag Pipe Band
Yue Opera Dance – Grace of the Fan and Rhythms of the Sleeves by Mengwei Yue Opera Studio
Indonesian Folk Dance – Remo Dance by Eko Nurcahyo
Thai Folk Dance – Fon Phang by Thai Dance Troupe of Ottawa
Korean Fan Dance – Lotus & Buchaechum by Yeon Dance Company
Romanian Folkloric Dance – Crihalma and Somes by The Izvorul Romanian Ensemble of Ottawa-Gatineau
The program spanned the globe, with folk dances from Asia, Europe, and Latin America, the stirring sounds of Scotland the Brave, the power of Japanese taiko and Brazilian samba, and elegant Chinese classical dance — all reflecting Ottawa’s multicultural spirit. The evening’s highlight came from the Chinese community, as two Chinese national first-class Yue Opera artists Wu Fenghua and Chen Fei made their Ottawa debut with The Butterfly Lovers, earning thunderous applause.
Yue Opera Medley by Mengwei Yue Opera Studio
Brazilian Percussion – Rio Samba Bateria by Samba Ottawa
Japanese Taiko Drums – Kyoten by Oto-Wa Taiko
Singing With Guitar – Around the World Music Tour by Chairman George
Yue Opera Duet -《The Butterfly Lovers》- Eighteen Miles of Farewell by Fenghua Wu, Fei Chen
Sing-and-Dance UnderMySkin, Snake by Smiley Singing&Dancing Group
Chinese Classical Dance – Autumn Beauty by the Water by Yang Liya Dance School
Folk Dance Medley – Rhythms of the World “Son de Negro” by Ballet Esmeraldas de Colombia
“Zapateadores De Chocan” by Peru Danza Ottawa-Gatineau
“Krakowiak Polish National Dance” by Vistula Polish Dance Group in Ottawa
Chorus – You raise me up, Sleepless tonight Conductor Yong Ming Liu, Pianist Zhuo Min Liu by Tiantian Choir
“This is one of the best multicultural showcases I have seen in Canada,” said Henry Lee, Vice Chair and Honorary Consul of Malaysia. “It proves that art can transcend borders, foster mutual respect, and strengthen a multicultural society like Canada.”
The Showcase ended with a standing ovation — and calls to make it a regular tradition in the capital.