The annual Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival is happening this weekend, June 20-21 down at False Creek. It will be two days full of activities including musical performances, a market place, food court and of course, dragon boat races! So, come down and cheer on our paddlers!
For more information, visit: Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival
From June 18 – August 30th, every Thursday and Sunday starting at 7:30 pm in the Dr. Sun Yatsen Garden, Seven Tyrants Theatre will present the exciting sequel to last summer’s outdoor roving hit. This historical fairy tale takes audiences of all ages through the beautiful Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, in the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown.
Starring Joann Liu, Minh Ly, Elwin Xie and Troy Anthony Young
Written and Directed by Daniel Deorksen and David Newham
Created by Daniel Deorksen, David Newham and Richard Sung
It’s the year 1701. Still solidifying its power in China, the Qing Dynasy now faces an unprecedented flood of European trade. Before long, the Chinese begin to realize these ships from the west have brought more than they bargained for.
In London, the East India Company faces the most tumultous time in its history. With its eastern monopoly threatened by interlopers who have gained the support of parliament, the Company’s directors will stop at nothing to ensure trade supremecy…
For more information on how to buy tickets, visit Seven Tyrants Theatre
It seems that next weekend will be the launch of many Asian Canadian events around town as Mixie and the Halfbreeds will make its premiere. Opening on June 18 and closing on June 28 at the VanCity Culture Lab, Mixie and the Halfbreeds explores themes of mixed ethnicity and the effect it has on an artist’s craft and identity.
Synopsis: Eggs, bananas and an aversion to rice.Two estranged neighbours are not as different as they think. Haunted by peroxide teeth and blondissima hair, Mixie and Trixie tackle a question that has plagued mankind hrough the ages: do blondes really have more fun?A no-holds-barred identity throw-down, Mixie and the Halfbreeds is an optimistic tale for a remixed nation.
Following the June 20th matinee, there will be a discussion with mixed race artists of different disciplines about how identity informs artistic practice and creative process.
For more information, please visist: Mixie and the Halfbreeds
From June 19 to June 21, UBC Literature Etc. will be presenting the Third Annual Taiwanese Film Festival. While the first annual TWFF led the audience onto a round-island trip exploring the beauties of Formosa, the second annual TWFF accompanied the audience to enjoy the taste of youth – its flight, adventure and realization. This year, the third annual TWFF “Only Human” will direct the audience into the lives of ordinary/everyday people and invite them to experience their struggles, disheartenment, happiness and tears. Within the cruel hands of fate and life’s adversities, we see their unyielding resilience and also the frailty and strength of human hearts that are seemly contradictory yet incredibly real. No matter what our status, background, race or culture are, we all have one same entity – We are only human.
For ticket and schedule information, please visit: Third Annual Taiwanese Film Festival.
This weekend in Stanley Park, the South Asian Family Association is pleased to present their annual cross-cultural extravaganza, Sawan Mela, occurring on the weekend of June 13 and 14. SAFA’s mandate is to create cross-cultural awareness as well as provide a platform for youth to showcase their talent. The Sawan Mela originally began in 2002 in South Vancouver and now 7 years later, is set to take over Lumberman’s Arch in Stanley Park for two exciting days.
This free public festival is suitable for kids of ALL ages. There is sure to be something for everyone at the Sawan Mela. Whether you enjoy your butter chicken or pine for tangy dosas…or perhaps desire a mini-makeover or mehndi, the marketplace is full of delights to tempt all of the senses: delicious smells and aromas, bright and vibrant colours and an exhibition by local artisans as well as yoga classes.
On our mainstage under the Sawan Mela tent, local performers from the Lower Mainland will entertain for hours on end. From Bhangra & Bolly to Filmi & Fusion to Giddha and Garba, the team at SAFA will turn Stanley Park into Little India. Little India with a few visitors however…performers from the Violet Moore Irish School of Dance, Vancouver Korean Drummers, Bluesette, Steveston Taiko Drummers, Argentian Tango, Eagle Song Dancers will be sharing the stage with Punjab Cultural Arts Centre, Giddha Punjabna Da, Sitara Thobani, Sulochana Dance Academy, Surrey India Arts Club, Juggy Jag (Jugpreet Bajwa), Jawani Bhangra, Duniya Dance Academy, Slumdog Millionaire Dancers and Karima Essa & Merlyn Prakash amongst others. A full line-up is available at www.safa.ca.
Following the festival on Saturday night, there will be Bollywood movie starting at 7:30pm. The movie, “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” (DDLJ) was produced in 1995 and just finished a 700 week run in Mumbai this past March. Translated to “The Brave Heart will take the Bride”, it is one of the highest grossing Bolly films earning 580 crores INR in India and over 175 crores overseas.
The festival and movie screening is completely FREE!! So, come out and enjoy this festival as the weather will definitely be sunny!
WHAT: SAWAN MELA 7
WHEN: SATURDAY JUNE 13 AND SUNDAY JUNE 14, 2009, 2 – 8PM
WHERE: STANLEY PARK, LUMBERMAN’S ARCH. MAP, DIRECTIONS & SHUTTLE SERVICE INFO
WHY: A FREE CULTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA FEATURING MEHNDI, MASTI AND MUCH MORE. OVER 30 LOCAL PERFORMANCES CELEBRATING CULTURE AND HERITAGE. SHUTTLE SERVICE TO AND FROM BURRARD STATION.
