Canada One Family Network Receives the 2026 Markham Performing Arts Award for Community Group/Artist of the Year

Canada One Family Network Receives the 2026 Markham Performing Arts Award for Community Group/Artist of the Year

Connecting Communities Through the Arts, Promoting Inclusion Through Culture

On the evening of October 19, 2026, the Markham Performing Arts Awards 2026 ceremony was held at Flato Markham Theatre in Markham, Ontario, Canada. Guests from the performing arts sector, community organizations, and various sectors of society gathered to celebrate the achievements and growth of the performing arts in Markham.

Canada One Family Network (COFN) received the Community Group/Artist of the Year Award. This recognition acknowledges the organization’s longstanding commitment to promoting multicultural exchange, community participation in the arts, cultural heritage preservation, and arts education.

The ceremony officially began at 7:00 p.m., hosted by Scott Hill. Sophia Sun, Chair of the Markham Performing Arts Awards, delivered the opening remarks, followed by an address from Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. The Mayor expressed appreciation for the artists, sponsors, and members of the organizing team, and introduced a video showcasing the creation of the 2026 awards.

The evening featured a series of outstanding musical performances. Singer DeeDee Austin opened the show with “Create a Life,” followed by “Breath” and “Stay Dancin’.” Classic Albums Live closed the evening’s musical program with performances of “I Feel Fine” and “She Loves You,” adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

During the presentation of the Community Group/Artist of the Year Award, Mayor Frank Scarpitti presented the award to Canada One Family Network. The organization’s President, Yan Yan Zhu, then delivered an acceptance speech, expressing her heartfelt gratitude to the City of Markham, the Markham Performing Arts Awards organizers, and the many community partners who have supported cultural development over the years.

Ms. Zhu noted that for more than a decade, Canada One Family Network has created opportunities for people of different ages and cultural backgrounds to participate in the arts, share their traditions, and connect with one another.

She emphasized that the arts are more than performances on a stage. They serve as an important bridge between generations, cultures, and communities. Through the arts, cultural heritage can be preserved, creativity inspired, and a stronger sense of community belonging fostered.

Ms. Zhu also expressed sincere appreciation to Celebrate Markham, York Region’s Culture and Tourism Program, Experience Ontario, and Canadian Heritage’s Building Communities through Arts and Heritage (BCAH) program for their support of the organization’s cultural initiatives. This support helps bring local artists and communities together, making Markham an even more vibrant and welcoming place.

She further emphasized that this honour belongs to everyone who has contributed to the community’s cultural life, including artists, volunteers, community partners, sponsors, participating organizations, and audiences. Their passion, generosity, and collective efforts have made it possible for cultural exchange and community arts initiatives to continue flourishing.

Ms. Zhu also extended a warm invitation to children under 16, who can attend free of charge, and to families across the community to join the 11th Age of Literati Culture and Arts Festival Concert, taking place on November 1, 2026, at Flato Markham Theatre.

For tickets and further information, please visit www.COFN.ca (http://www.cofn.ca/).

During the ceremony, Markham Review received the Partner of the Year Award, Eric Tappenden received the Ambassador of the Year Award, and Classic Albums Live received the Professional Artist of the Year Award. Together, these honours highlighted the important contributions of artists, cultural organizations, and community partners to the development of the performing arts in Markham.

As a nonprofit organization with a longstanding commitment to community service, Canada One Family Network has organized a wide range of programs in Asian traditional culture, multicultural arts, world music, literary arts, and community education. The organization is dedicated to providing platforms for artists to showcase their talents, encouraging participation by youth and seniors, and fostering greater understanding and cooperation among diverse cultural communities.

This award not only recognizes the organization’s past achievements but also provides fresh inspiration for its future work.

Looking ahead, Canada One Family Network will continue to serve the Markham community through artistic performances, cultural festivals, educational programs, and intercultural exchange. By preserving cultural heritage, nurturing artistic talent, and promoting social inclusion, the organization will continue contributing to a more diverse, harmonious, and connected community.

Bringing People Together Through the Arts. Connecting Cultures and Communities. Canada One Family Network will continue working hand in hand with the community to make the arts an integral part of everyday life and help Canada’s rich cultural diversity flourish.

加拿大一同家园文化中心荣获2026年万锦表演艺术大奖年度社区团体／艺术家奖

以艺术连接社区，以文化促进共融

2026年10月19日晚，2026年万锦表演艺术大奖（Markham Performing Arts Awards）颁奖典礼在加拿大安大略省万锦市 Flato Markham Theatre 隆重举行。来自表演艺术界、社区组织及社会各界的嘉宾齐聚一堂，共同庆祝万锦市表演艺术的发展与成就。

加拿大一同家园文化中心（Canada One Family Network）荣获本年度 Community Group/Artist of the Year（年度社区团体／艺术家奖）。该奖项肯定了机构多年来致力于推动多元文化交流、社区艺术参与、文化传承及艺术教育所作出的努力。

颁奖典礼于晚上7时正式举行。活动由主持人 Scott Hill主持，万锦表演艺术大奖主席 Sophia Sun 首先致辞，随后万锦市市长 Frank Scarpitti 发表讲话，向艺术家、赞助机构及活动筹备团队表达感谢，并介绍2026年度奖杯的创作过程。

当晚的舞台演出精彩纷呈。歌手 DeeDee Austin 以歌曲《Create a Life》拉开表演序幕，随后带来《Breath》及《Stay Dancin'》等作品。Classic Albums Live 则在活动尾声演绎《I Feel Fine》与《She Loves You》，为颁奖典礼增添热烈气氛。

在年度社区团体／艺术家奖颁奖环节，万锦市市长 Frank Scarpitti 向加拿大一同家园文化中心颁发奖项。该机构主席朱彦晏（Yan Yan Zhu）随后发表获奖感言，向万锦市政府、万锦表演艺术大奖主办方及长期支持社区文化发展的各界伙伴致以诚挚谢意。

朱彦晏表示，十多年来，加拿大一同家园文化中心为不同年龄、不同文化背景的居民创造参与艺术、分享传统和相互交流的机会。

她强调，艺术不仅是舞台上的表演，更是连接不同世代、传承文化遗产、激发创造力，并增强提升来自五千年文明的文人时代的能量。

她同时感谢 Celebrate Markham、约克区文化与旅游项目、Experience Ontario，以及加拿大文化遗产部的 Building Communities through Arts and Heritage（BCTAH）项目对相关文化活动的支持。这些支持有助于汇聚本地艺术家与社区力量，让万锦更美好。

朱彦晏还特别指出，这份荣誉属于所有为社区文化事业付出努力的人士，包括艺术家、志愿者、社区合作伙伴、赞助商、参与团体及观众。正是大家的热情、奉献与共同努力，让文化交流和社区艺术项目得以持续开展。并欢迎16岁以下孩子们（免费）和更多家庭参加即将在11月1日在万锦剧院举办的第十一届文人时代文化艺术节音乐会。 订票查询www.COFN.ca

当晚，Markham Review 获颁年度合作伙伴奖，Eric Tappenden 获颁年度形象大使奖，Classic Albums Live 获颁年度专业艺术家奖。各奖项共同展现了艺术家、文化机构与社区伙伴在推动万锦表演艺术发展方面的重要贡献。

作为一个长期服务社区的非营利组织，加拿大一同家园文化中心多年来积极开展亚洲传统文化、多元文化艺术、世界音乐、文学艺术及社区教育活动，致力于为艺术家提供展示平台，鼓励青年与长者参与，并促进不同文化群体之间的理解与合作。

此次获奖不仅是对加拿大一同家园文化中心过往工作的肯定，也为其未来的发展注入新的动力。

展望未来，加拿大一同家园文化中心将继续扎根万锦、服务社区，通过艺术表演、文化节庆、教育活动及跨文化交流，传承文化遗产、培育艺术人才、促进社会包容，为建设更加多元、和谐、紧密联系的社区贡献力量。

以艺术汇聚人心，以文化连接世界。加拿大一同家园文化中心将继续与社区携手同行，让艺术之美融入社区生活，让多元文化在加拿大绽放光彩。