‘Gospel concert’ to raise funds for new immigrants center

‘Gospel concert’ to raise funds for new immigrants center

(Former ‘Miss Saigon’ actors to star in show)

By Mari-Len De Guzman

MISSISSAUGA–International stage performer Cornilia Luna – Isaac will lead a fund-raising concert to benefit a newly established centre that provides assistance to immigrants in Canada.

Produced by the Gateway Centre for New Canadians (GCNC), the Spirit of Love gospel concert is a showcase of young talents performing for their faith through their songs and dances.

GCNC executive director Julius Tiangson describes the show as a “celebration of God’s goodness.”
Co-leading the show with Cornilia is Emilio Zarris, an accomplished theatre performer who played in various musicals like Miss Saigon and King and I. Cornilia has likewise performed in theatrical venues such as Broadway and the West End, playing major roles in Miss Saigon and Les Miserables.
Both performers are saying that while they have been previously exposed to inspirational music, this will be a different experience for them.

Thirty-year-old Cornilia views the concert as “a way of giving back” to God what He had given her.
Emilio, who has been performing professionally for 15 years, says he has always been a lover of inspirational music. He is at a point in his life where he would like to honor his gift of music and share it.

Aside from performances by Cornilia and Emilio, the show will include liturgical dances by young children aged between seven and nine years old, as well as songs by the Bowen Quartet, who has been performing in churches and evangelical shows in the U.S. and the Carribean. Marc Masanga is the musical director.

The show will be held on July 16 at the Gateway Centre for New Canadians on Wolfedale Road in Mississauga. Ticket prices are from $10 – $35. Proceeds of the concert will fund projects initiated by the Centre aimed at giving various assistance to newcomers to Canada.

Tiangson, who is a pastor for the Christian and Missionary Alliance, initiated the establishment of the immigrant centre three years ago. Through generous donations of members and supporters, a 30,000-sq.ft.-building was purchased in November 2003 to become a multi-functional community centre for immigrants and Canadians.

GCNC’s vision is to enable new Canadians to have an easier transition as they begin a new life by offering settlement and support services in the areas of education, employment, social integration, family, health, and enterprise development.

Its goal is to have the capacity and resources to serve at least 25,000 immigrants and their families every year. It also aims to build a classroom, function room, health centre, and a child care centre within the GCNC building.