Author: Shirley Chen

5 Poets Breaking Into Song #26: Neoclassicism Don’t Scare Real Jazz Composers!

Former national poet laureate                       George Elliott Clarke

Together with The League of Canadian Poets, The Canada Council for the Arts, Brenda Clews & The Tranzac Club, East and West Learning Connections, and Edward Wong   PRESENT

5 Poets Breaking Into Song: #26: Neoclassicism Don’t Scare Real Jazz
Composers!
Continue reading “5 Poets Breaking Into Song #26: Neoclassicism Don’t Scare Real Jazz Composers!”

哈哈大笑二三事 / A Few Recent Laughs

This article is written originally in Chinese.  For the English version, please scroll down or jump to the next heading.

哈哈大笑二三事

最近两次哈哈大笑，都是在去看我妈的时候。

 

老太太今年九十五岁，身体尚可，但有健忘症。我常常跟她一起背已故老爸写的一首《渔歌》，其中最后一段是这样的：“云淡烟微，夜幕低垂，犹恋提竿左右挥。长林鸟，也知归。两袖清凉风送我，多情明月照人归。”她后两句通常背得还不错，前面则需我读一句，她跟读一句。九月份某天，秋高气爽，我们坐在养老院楼下的花园里晒太阳、打牌背诗。我故意停下来，让她自己想。结果老太太憋出一句“长林鸟，左右飞”。我愣了一秒，旋即大笑。老妈也跟上，两个人好一会子都停不下来，一想到长林鸟们左右乱飞的画面，就忍不住哈哈大笑。 Continue reading “哈哈大笑二三事 / A Few Recent Laughs”

EAWLC Book Talks with Keith Garebian and Jirair Tutunjian: Roots, Identities, and Canadian Contexts

Our Book Talks program invites authors to talk about their books, and facilitates Q&A where audience can ask their own questions. As usual, books are available for purchase by cash or e-transfer to support the authors!

register
Continue reading “EAWLC Book Talks with Keith Garebian and Jirair Tutunjian: Roots, Identities, and Canadian Contexts”

How Canada Works: The EAWLC Civics Class & Seminar

Register the Course

Do you want to

  • Understand how Canadian society and government function, and how this influences your daily life?
  • Know how to fulfill your obligations, and protect your rights as a Canadian citizen, to become an integral part of , and contribute to Canada’s democratic society?
  • Be able to read and interpret news with greater historical and political awareness?
  • Build intercultural communication and civic engagement skills, and participate in societal as well as social life with more confidence?
  • Win generous grocery shop vouchers, plus get invited to an year-end celebration party?

  Continue reading “How Canada Works: The EAWLC Civics Class & Seminar”

East&West Dialogue with Jerry Jiang and Eric Liu: Start Up from Waterloo

University of Waterloo students and alumni are among the world’s most sought-after tech talent – now, more are turning that edge into startups, and Waterloo has become a booming hub for Canada’s Hi-tech and AI economy. In this dialogue, an investor/tech social innovator and a start-up owner will share their Waterloo and entrepreneurial experience, and have a conversation with audience on themes from Waterloo’s co-op culture, Silicon Valley experience, to how Canada may benefit most from its tech talents in the era of AI. Continue reading “East&West Dialogue with Jerry Jiang and Eric Liu: Start Up from Waterloo”

5 Poets Breaking Into Song (#23): Snazzy Jazz and Upscale Scat!

George Elliott Clarke & East And West Learning Connections
present 5 Poets Breaking Into Song (#23): Snazzy Jazz and Upscale Scat!

13 DAZZLING Art-Songs: All so upscale, they scat right off the charts!


Friday, June 5, 6-9 PM

Canadian Music Centre

20 St. Joseph St.(Wellesley & Yonge TTC)

Toronto (ON)

FREE ADMISSION but only 40 seats available

Continue reading “5 Poets Breaking Into Song (#23): Snazzy Jazz and Upscale Scat!”

2026 EAWLC Outstanding Service Award Winners

East and West Learning Connections (EAWLC) is run by volunteers.  Without their talents, commitment, and hard work,  all the programs we have offered to the public just cannot possibly come into reality.  Every year at our Annual General Meeting, our Board chooses a number of winners to receive the EAWLC Outstanding Service Awards based on time commitment, task impact, and organization involvement in the previous year. 

Continue reading “2026 EAWLC Outstanding Service Award Winners”

EAWLC Dialogue | Borderless: Richard Greene and Anna Yin on Cannibal Rats

Register

Come to join two poets for an intriguing evening exploring poetry, translation, human condition and life experience intertwined in between, and contribute your own perspective and interpretation!

Time: Tuesday April 21, 2026 at 7:30-9 P.M. (Eastern Time)

Free English Online Event, transcript in other languages available on Zoom

Zoom registration link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/geAuyyiWSzSLfnubOpZocQ

Zoom will open 15 minutes prior.  Please be on time.  Thanks! Continue reading “EAWLC Dialogue | Borderless: Richard Greene and Anna Yin on Cannibal Rats”

East&West Dialogue with Peter Thurton and Rudi Quammie Williams: Jazz, Culture & Community

REgister

Join us for a soulful evening of conversation with two remarkable guests — lawyer, ethicist, and lifelong Jazz devotee Peter Thurton, and artist, community builder, and cultural educator Rudi Quammie Williams!

Continue reading “East&West Dialogue with Peter Thurton and Rudi Quammie Williams: Jazz, Culture & Community”