Vancouver Grand Opening a Great Success
(includes photo gallery)

A large crowd of 700 people, including local dignitaries and international visitors, attended the grand opening of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Canada’s new centre in Vancouver on Saturday 7 April.

The full day of events began with a Taoist purification ceremony conducted by about 40 blue-robed chanters. Then the grand opening began with a traditional welcome from Bob Baker, cultural ambassador of the Squamish nation. This was followed by speeches from federal, provincial and local elected officials offering their good wishes. The President of the International Taoist Tai Chi Society, Dr Karen Laughlin, and the President of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Canada, David Frame, also added their congratulations. A colourful Chinese lion dance, followed by a ribbon-cutting, completed the grand opening ceremony.

All attendees then shared in a delicious Buddhist vegetarian meal (Jai) cooked by members in the centre’s fully equipped commercial-grade Chinese kitchen.

Continuing through the afternoon there were demonstrations of the Taoist Tai Chi† internal arts such as taijiquan, liuhebafa, sword, sabre, and advanced flexibility exercises. Many attendees also took advantage of the invitation to try a free introductory class in taijiquan.

In addition to the grand opening, a three-day workshop in Taoist Tai Chi† internal arts and methods was held at the new centre over the Easter weekend. Led by Karen Laughlin and David Frame, there were 165 members from Canada, USA, Great Britain and Australia in attendance at this event.

For a photo gallery of the grand opening, visit western.canada.taoist.org/galleries/van07/

For more details about taijiquan classes in Vancouver, visit www.taoist.bc.ca

Date Posted: Monday 16 April 2007