Celebrate Japanese Canadian art and culture at the 46th Annual Powell Street Festival in Oppenheimer Park and Paueru Gai (the Powell Street area) this July 30 and 31. Enjoy three stages feature contemporary and traditional artists, community food vendors and crafters offer favourite Japanese delights and designs, plus traditional Powell Street Festival touchstones are in place throughout the weekend.
46th Annual Powell Street Festival
When: Saturday, July 30 & Sunday, July 31, 2022 11:30am to 7:00pm
Where: Oppenheimer Park & Paueru Gai (the Powell Street area)
Embrace technology and new forms of art at Kūsou/空相, an interactive and immersive audio-visual installation merging Japanese calligraphy, computer generated art, and western flute at the Anvil Theatre in New Westminster. Plus, see artists’ talks and panels with the creative production team and participate in interactive AI Workshops for Families back on the Festival grounds.
Catch live performances by violinist-extremist Kytami & Phonik Ops, stirring Butoh by Kokoro Dance set to the sublimely edgy music of jo passed, an exhilarating combination of Onibana Taiko with vocals from opera singer Teiya Kasahara, Hiromoto Ida’s ICHIGO-ICHIEH NEW THEATRE solo show Homecoming 2020, and many more.
New this year, The Asahi Baseball Association joins us to promote their forthcoming baseball tour to Japan. Attend a Buddhist blessing of the legendary pre-war players in the Demo Area. You’ll find the new Asahi players at the festival’s Asahi Pitch Game in the park.
Cool off and fill your reusable water bottle under new bespoke misters and water fountains, Fuki no Mizu, created by UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture students.
There is something for everyone as Festival touchstones return: learn the Paueru Mashup dance in free lessons in July and join the Community Dance on Saturday July 30, try your luck in the annual Festival Lottery, visit the interactive zone and children’s tent, and much more.
This year Powell Street Festival will also host the Festival Connect Live Stream program for those unable to join in person. For the latest updates and announcements, follow the festival on Facebook.
The Powell Street Festival Society’s (“PSFS”) mission is to celebrate Japanese Canadian art and culture to connect communities. The main activity is producing the Powell Street Festival, an annual celebration of Japanese Canadian arts, music and culture in Vancouver’s historic Japanese Canadian neighbourhood, Paueru Gai in the Downtown Eastside. With the support of over 250 volunteers, this free, two-day event is the largest of its kind in Canada and the longest running festival in Metro Vancouver, entering its 46th year.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by the Fort Langley Jazz and Arts Festival Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
The Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz and Arts Festival will take place in all corners of the Fort Langley Village for a full weekend of music and art, with both free and ticketed performances.
Fort Langley Jazz and Arts Festival
When: July 21 to 24, 2022
Where: Stages around Fort Langley Village: Fort Langley Community Hall, Chief Sepass Theatre, CN Station, Fort Langley National Historic Site
July 21 to July 24 at the Chief Sepass Theatre with shows at 7:00pm and 9:00pm.
The Chief Sepass Jazz Concert Series features a stellar line-up of some of the most talented jazz musicians from across Canada and the US. Including Zappostrophe’ featuring the music of Frank Zappa reimagined; Molly Johnson, one of Canada’s greatest vocalists, is a Juno Award winner and Order of Canada recipient for her musical contributions; jazz high-energy jazz-funk band, The Shuffle Demons; jazz trumpeter and composer Michael Sarian; jazz pianist and vocalist Champian Fulton; Junior Santos, Afro Dominican Latin Jazz percussionist and Juno Awards Nominee 2021 for Best Jazz Album.; and Warren Dean Flandez, a Canadian soul-gospel and rhythm and blues singer, and a two-time Juno Award nominee for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year.
Friday Night All-Star Blues
On Friday, July 22nd it’s the All-Star Blues Show from 6:00pm to 10:00pm at the Fort Langley National Historic Site featuring JUNO and multi-Maple Blues Award-winning blues guitarist and singer Sue Foley. Opening the four-hour blues show is veteran blues guitarist/singer Brent Parkin, and local bands Terminal Station and the Mojo Stars. This outdoor festival-style event will feature food trucks, an outdoor bar and picnic style seating areas.
Free Concerts and Entertainment
On Saturday at 9:00am, everyone is invited to get dressed up in Mardi Gras attire and join the traditional New Orleans strolling parade that will make its way from the Fort Langley Village Farmers’ Market to Fort Langley Community Hall where the festival’s official opening ceremony will take place. Six outdoor stages will offer a diverse range of free world-class jazz acts on Saturday and Sunday from straight ahead jazz and blues bands to big band, latin, swing, gospel and more.
All of the six community stages located throughout the village will be connected by a FREE shuttle that will run on Saturday and Sunday, July 23 and 24, allowing Festival-goers to experience all of the magic of music and art throughout the historic Fort Langley village.
Special Events, Food, and More
There will also be a gala reception/opening night event at the Fort Langley Community Hall on July 21st with a big band show and dance. This 1930’s “Secret Speakeasy” will have an outdoor reception with live music, food stalls and wine. The outdoor atmosphere will be grand and glamorous with Great-Gatsby/art deco themed decor and a New Orleans inspired band. Attendees will then transition into the indoor ballroom which will be reminiscent of a 1930’s prohibition-style speakeasy club featuring a 15-piece big band and additional food and beverage services.
A Lions Club BBQ lunch will be available at the community hall on both days and a pancake breakfast on the Sunday of the festival. Food trucks on site include Big Red’s Poutine, Caffeinated by Bubba, Rolled West Coast, Cannoli King, The Mad Greek, Chouchou Crepes, Dutchlicious, Texas Smoke BBQ, Real Mac n Cheese, and Kona.
There’s also a virtual marketplace, a Kid Zone, Art Zone, River Stage, and the Emerging Artist Stage.
The Kwantlen Art & Cultural Exhibition will be located at Bedford Plaza (23285 Billy Brown Road) on both Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. This is a brand-new area of the festival where Kwantlen First Nation will share Indigenous art, artifacts, cultural exhibits, demonstrations, and music including Pow Wow demonstrations. Traditional salmon BBQ, bannock and Indian Ice Cream will be available for purchase
Win Tickets
I have a pair of tickets to give away to the Friday night All-Star Blues Show (value $200)! Here’s how you can enter to win.
Miss604 is proud to be the Official Blog Partner of Covenant House Vancouver (“CHV”).
Increased Services for Young People Experiencing Homelessness
For this month’s Covenant House Vancouver #CHVCatchUp post, I have the honour of sharing the tour I had of the brand new building at 1280 Seymour Street. In this city, in this day and age, it was amazing to see new housing that will support young people experiencing homelessness in such a comprehensive way.
New Covenant House in Downtown Vancouver – Miss604 Photo
New Covenant House Building in Downtown Vancouver
“This building was purpose-built for young people, and we’re so excited to welcome them in,” Director Kristy Hayter told me as we stood in the new lobby space.
“What it’s going to mean is increased beds first of all, but also incredible services they’ve never had access to before. This includes a gym, recreation areas, art therapy in great spaces as well as education and life skills in a beautiful building that feels like home.”
The new building will help CHV increase their Crisis Program capacity to reduce turn-aways and offer sanctuary to more young people experiencing homelessness. Everything from the architecture to the art has a trauma-informed and accessible design.
Covenant House Vancouver – Miss604 Photo
About the Crisis Program
Along with safe, supported housing, young people staying in the Crisis Program receive food, clothing, and hygiene supplies. Youth receive employment and education supports, access to Registered Clinical Counsellors, and help to transition to independence when ready.
This building covers it all: Small touches like a simple bed light which youth requested so they could read in their own space without disturbing their roommate, to ensuite showers for privacy, to big elements like a gym for physical activity.
Covenant House Vancouver – Miss604 Photo
Comfortable, Open Spaces
Youth let CHV know how important it is to have space to unwind, find joy, and build connections with youth workers and friends.
Kitchen
The Covenant House Food Services Team currently prepares more than 1,740 meals a week for young people. With the new kitchen, they will be able to meet the ever-increasing needs of youth, efficiently. On every floor there are also kitchen nooks, with more amenities like coffee machines, water bottle filling stations.
Spaces like this help Youth Workers to connect with youth in a casual environment, helping them build trusting relationships over something as simple as a game of basketball.
Rooms for Education, Art, and Rest
Pursuing an education and learning new skills like budgeting, resume writing, and other general life skills requires the focus and quiet these spaces will provide. Creating art is also a powerful part of therapy. It helps youth express their feelings when they can’t find the words.
Art Therapy – Covenant House Vancouver – Photo Submitted
Thanks to donor support, Covenant House Vancouver will continue to provide relentless support, with absolutely respect and unconditional love, to young people experiencing homelessness or in crisis.
Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has been providing love and hope to youth experiencing homelessness. They are the premiere service provider of residential and outreach services for homeless and at-risk youth ages 16 to 24 in Vancouver. Follow Covenant House on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more info.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by the City of Burnaby Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
Join Vancouver Opera for their inaugural Opera in the Park series in Burnaby this summer, featuring music from the movies! This free, family-friendly event will feature the Vancouver Opera orchestra, chorus and principal singers, led by Music Director Emeritus Jonathan Darlington.
Burnaby Opera in the Park with Vancouver Opera
When: Sunday, July 17, 2022 activities 1:00pm, opera at 7:00pm
Where: Deer Lake Park, Burnaby (6450 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby)
Admission: Free
Selections include music from The Godfather, The Simpsons, and Mission Impossible. This full-day event will have activities for the whole family including an instrument petting zoo, balloon twisters, face-painting, a photo wall, stilt walkers, giveaways and so much more.
Don’t forget to bring your blankets and lawn chairs, and please leave your large tents/umbrellas at home. Outside food is permitted so you can setup your own picnic, or pick up refreshments from the food trucks on site.
Photo submitted
Program
BUGS BUNNY — Overture, The Barber of Seville DUMB AND DUMBER — Hallelujah Chorus, Messiah SEX AND THE CITY & TOMB RAIDER — Flower Duet, Lakmé HOUSE OF GUCCI — The Humming Chorus, Madame Butterfly QUARTET — Bella figlia dell’amore, Rigoletto 300 & CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN — O Fortuna, Carmina Burana SUNDAY, BLOODY SUNDAY — Soave sia il vento, Così fan tutte THE GODFATHER — Brindisi (The Drinking Song), La Traviata THE SIMPSONS — Habanera, Carmen MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION — Nessun dorma, Turandot THE GODFATHER PART III — Intermezzo, Cavalleria Rusticana HOPSCOTCH — Non più andrai, Le Nozze di Figaro MATCH POINT — Caro nome, Rigoletto GALLIPOLI — Au fond du temple saint, The Pearl Fishers MATCH POINT — Va pensiero, Nabucco
For more information – and more fun, free events and activities this summer – follow the City of Burnaby on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by the City of Burnaby Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
Burnaby Symphony in the Park returns featuring the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (“VSO”) live for a free family-friendly performance on July 16th.
Burnaby Symphony in the Park – Photo submitted
Burnaby Symphony in the Park with the VSO
When: Saturday, July 16 2022 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Where: Deer Lake Park Festival Lawn (6450 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby)
Admission: Free
This is the 33rd anniversary performance of Symphony in the Park! The event will start at 6:00pm with a performance by the VSO School of Music’s Azalea Chinese Music Ensemble. At 7:00pm, the VSO and conductor Andrew Crust will transport listeners to other worlds, whether it’s the gritty streets of New York (Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story), the story of an alien visitor (Main Theme from E.T. by John Williams) or one of the greatest love stories of all time (Tchaikovsky’s Romeo & Juliet “Fantasy Overture”).
Event grounds will be open all day for picnic-goers to set up early, as space will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. Enjoy the family-friendly Kids’ Creativity Zone, including musical activities for the youngest audience members. Several food trucks will be parked throughout the grounds as well. Rehearsals by the evening’s performers will occur in the afternoon for park-goers to enjoy music throughout the day.
A friendly reminder to bring low chairs to not obstruct the view of other audience members. The VSO encourages the use of reusable water bottles. Outside food and drink are welcome at both venues.
Note: Parking in the vicinity is limited, so alternate transportation is recommended.
