Vancouver Diwali 2011

Vancouver Celebrates Diwali, celebrating one of the most important holidays on the South Asian calendar, returns for its eighth year with workshops, performances, and festivities from October 15 to October 23, 2011. This festival of lights brings friends and families together and will be observed in style at the Roundhouse during the signature Diwali Downtown event.

Photo credit: Gurk Bains for Vancouver Celebrates Diwali on Flickr

Diwali Downtown

When: Sunday, October 23, 2011 from 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Where: Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown
What: Music, dancing, interactive performances, and plenty of Indian food. Admission is by donation. Artists include bharata natyam dancers Malavika Santhosh and Sujit Vaidya, sitar / tabla combo Mohammed Assani & Sunny Matharu, bhangra glitch-hop musical group Banyen Roots, the amazing Senior Ladies Garba dance team, and many more.

Photo credits: Gurk Bains for Vancouver Celebrates Diwali on Flickr

Other events to enjoy throughout the week include:

Diwali Workshops

When: October 15 until October 23
Where: Various times and locations
What: Bhangra, Bollywood dance, diya painting, mehndi hand tatooing, and more.

Dance All Sorts Diwali Style

When: Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 2:00pm
Where: Roundhouse Community Centre
What: Presenting Toronto-based contemporary kathak dancer Bageshree Vaze.

Diwali Bright Lights

When: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 4:30pm
Where: Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, Vancouver
What: Free talent showcase.

Chai House on Main Street

When: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 7:30pm
Where: Heritage Hall
What: Line-up includes bhangra glitch-hop musical group Banyen Roots, bharata natyam dancer Anusha Fernando, sketch comedy superstars Bollywood Shenanigans, kathak dancer and vocalist Bageshree Vaze, headliner Grammy award-winning Canadian phenomenon Chin Injeti, and more.

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