Goa Fest 2011 in Mississauga (Toronto), Canada http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=119801504771159&set=a.119801498104493.30172.100002239307089&type=1&theaterhttp://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=119802101437766&set=a.119801498104493.30172.100002239307089&type=1&theater Goans in Canada are a lively and lucky bunch. We are proud of our Goa and certainly of our adopted country, Canada, where we can enjoy the fruits of our labour as well as keep our identity, culture, food and our mother-tongue, Konkani at the same time. We don’t miss much of Goa here. In two weeks time we are having a Konkani Tiatro, “Kumsar” written by Goa’s Century-King playwright Pascoal Rodrigues on June 18, 2011 and performed by the local Toronto Goan artistes. I believe a few tickets are still available. For tickets call Producer Lourdino Rodrigues or Co-Producer Clema Fernandes 647-402-0103 or Director Joe Vaz 416-830-2572http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rkiil4msuK0/TcVujNzC-2I/AAAAAAAAABY/F_0UeFH-FNg/s1600/POSTER2011.jpg Just yesterday we witnessed a Goan gathering of over 600 people organized by 55PGA (55Plus Goan Association), a seniors organization based in Mississauga Ontario. Goa Fest 2011 was well attended. This is not a review, just my observations. It started at 11 a.m. and went on till 11 p.m. There was a variety programme including some songs in English and Konkani by Alex and Rudy, an Elvis impersonator (sorry did not get the name of this talented young handsome man) who sang lovely Elvis’ numbers, a stand-up comedy in Konkani by Serah Barbosa, a couple of comedy skits and songs by a group comprising of Toronto artistes, Raymond Menezes, Francis Fernandes, Frank Fernandes and Gaspar Moraes, two Dekhnis by Young Goans Christine Rosario and Desiree Gomes, and there was a lively Goan Band in attendance . There were food stalls with Goa sausages and other delectable Goan delicacies which were almost sold out right away. There was also a book stall by Ben Antao selling Goan books and another stall run by Goan Archives. The show was ably compered by Joan Do Rosario. I always find events organized by 55Plus Goan Association very well organized, reasonably priced and satisfactory. This was the first time they organized something like mini ‘Viva Goa’ which is regrettably not organized any more by the Goan Overseas Association. The only thing negative I had personally with 55PGA is that they rejected my membership a couple years ago because I lived in Toronto and not in Mississauga, which is next door, and membership was at full capacity for Toronto members, but only to learn that they admitted a member from Toronto soon after they rejected my membership. I found this very unGoan thing to do and quite appalling, especially when we took part in Mando singing that year to help 55PGA with Konkani content presentation. But that was the old Committee. So this time when I heard that they were admitting new members, I immediately called the new Committee members Ida Gomes and Joan Do Rosario and they asked me to send in my application. I was very happy when they admitted me this time. It was like an impossible thing to do and it shouldn’t be for Niz Goenkars like us who support Goa and Goan causes and Konkani. I know there is a limit of 500 membership. I did not stay for the Dance for the Sundowner from 6 pm onwards though. Sorry I missed all other names as there was no brochure or anything with the names of participants, perhaps because this was put in place in spur of the moment and it is quite understandable. I enjoyed the show and I thank all the organizers of 55PGA for working so hard and hope they continue with their sold-out Goan events. I am sure next year’s event will be better planned and organized with lots more Goan talented participants and hope it will fill a void caused by the discontinuation of ‘ Viva Goa’ festival. Silviano Barbosa June 4, 2011 Toronto
