Club Casa de los Abuelos and Bronson Centre host first Ottawa carnival for seniors
by Ruth Aman, Editorial Associate
Saturday 9 September 2023
Club Casa de los Abuelos partnered with the Bronson Centre partnered to host the first ever Annual Older Adults Multicultural Carnival on September 9th, 2023. The Ukrainian Hall, one of Ottawa’s most popular venues, hosted over 50 seniors, young adults and children who come together to celebrate their culture, their vitality, and their identity. Beginning at noon, this Carnival featured lots of dancing, foods and new experiences as it blended together individuals of different backgrounds. Those present included the Social Planning Council’s board member Chandra Hapuarachchi, who works to advise organizations on the economic and social benefits available to them.
Club Casa de los Abuelos, directed by Jaime Marulanda, is an organisation that primarily focuses on the seniors in Ottawa’s Hispanic Community. Translated to, ‘the Grandparent’s House club’ this organisation’s purpose is ‘to redirect local resources designated to benefit the elderly and to offer a safe haven in the City of Ottawa for our parents and grandparents to meet and socialise.’ They have done this by providing numerous initiatives and immersive experiences for those within the community at the Bronson Center. Art classes, dance classes, autobiography writing classes and much more have happened in the last 8 years of the organisation’s existence. Not only have long-lasting friendships been formed by those within the group, but they’ve also made connections with other seniors-focused organisations.
Club Casa, which meets at Bronson Centre, has branched out and collaborated with other organisations situated within the Centre. The Bronson centre is a community resource hub located in Ottawa’s centretown, yet it also prides itself on being home to over 30 non-profit organisations. Roughly 35 associations rely on the Bronson Centre to provide resources, office spacing, and rooms for meetings with their group members. The Bronson Centre is also a champion for senior advocacy and has their own program called ‘BronsonRise’ in which funding is provided for other organisations who aspire to support their resources better. That being said, this program brings together seniors from various groups in the Centre and has allied them together in harmony so that they can work together and also find community within one another.
The event was a blast as it incorporated dynamics of each one’s culture throughout the program. Meals were prepared highlighting the unique flavours of the different traditions present in the room. Representing Caribbean culture were Jerk Chicken balls which were served amongst an array of other traditional cuisines such as empanadas stuffed with onions, olives and cheese originating from Latin America. Alongside these two were Sri Lanka’s popular street food, Vade’s, which are lentil patties, and flavourful veggie samosas.
Not only was the food an explosive taste of many cultures, but so were the event’s festivities. With lively music playing from beginning to end, seniors showed their best dance moves as they danced in groups and with their close friends. Marecella, a leader of Club Casa, invited the seniors to take part in the numerous dancing routines she had prepared for the event and the seniors jumped at the opportunity to challenge themselves with each step and movement. After feeling fully accomplished, the host Jaime invited Club Casa’s new dancing team. The organisation has just begun to offer dancing classes for the seniors in their community and this past month they had their first practice. This performance done to a latin-inspired beat was the culmination of the previous practice. It was a two-part performance with the young children of Club Casa opening up with a pumped-up dance routine and colourful outfits. The seniors then followed wearing colourful dresses as they danced the Mexican dance of
Baile Folklorico. Twirling around and fanning their dress in graceful strides, this dance beautifully portrayed the spirited energy of Latin American culture.
Other performances included Tarrah Mauricette’s Caribbean Fitness class, a classic song medley by the Nepean Steel Harmonic Band, and the singing of ‘Summer 69’ by a young woman of Sri Lankan descent named Thinaya Mahanama. Raffles and prizes were given out between performances with one prize being a special hand-crafted jewellery created with precious Columbian gems and metals. Other prizes included paintings done by Club Casa members and wine glasses. Featuring a great presentation by a mariachi band by the name of Mariachi Los Paisanos, guests were entreated to individual table serenades based on the type of music selection those at the table wanted to hear. Going from table to table, songs about romance and love to songs about cultural pride arose, sparking the multitude of voices in the crowd to sing loud and proud.
This event was a great celebration of the unique identities that make up Ottawa’s landscape. All continents were not only represented but highlighted through this get-together. When we regard our seniors in the community, we must remember that they are carriers of stories that we will never experience ourselves. They uphold our society and in many ways can determine the future of our success. That’s why events such as these are extremely important as they allow us to recognize those who paved the way for us and allow them to freely take part in life once again.
If you are looking for more information about Club Casa or the Bronson Centre make sure to stay connected to their social media pages which provide information, resources, and schedules full of activities for the month that any senior can take part in.
Club Casa: https://www.facebook.com/clubcasadelosabuelos
Bronson Centre: https://bronsoncentre.ca/
