www.vancouver21.com

Powell Street Festival. Jul 31-Aug 01, 2010. 11:30AM—7:00PM. Oppenheimer Park. FREE and tickets. One of the longest running community arts events in Vancouver. In its 34th annual, the festival shall return to Oppenheimer Park for another celebration of Japanese Canadian culture. Omikoshi, Sa-do, Taiko, Origami, bonsai, Sumo, Karate, Aikido, Shout!WhiteDragon, Haagen & Ryuzen, Coração Boêmio and more.

http://www.powellstreetfestival.com/

Vancouver Pride Parade & Festival. Jul 29—Aug 02, 2010. Robson and Denman streets. FREE and ticketed events. Various events throughout the BC Day long weekend. The Pride Parade is on Aug 01 (Sun) 12:00PM from Robson St, to Denman St, to Beach Ave. is FREE. http://www.vancouverpride.ca/

Celebration of Light 2010. Jul 31,2010 at 10:00PM. English Bay. FREE. Team China fireworks. Last chance to catch the Celebration of Light series of fireworks competition when the Chinese pyrotechnics experts will perform. Expect big turnout. http://www.celebration-of-light.com/

Brigade Days at Fort Langley. Jul 31-Aug 02, 2010. Fort Langley. historic demonstrations of pioneer days, interactive fur trade programs, arrival of brigades on the Fraser River on Monday at 1:00pm. Music featuring Western fiddlers etc. http://www.parkscanada.gc.ca/fortlangley

Squamish Days Loggers Sport Festival. July 29-Aug 01, 2010. 39555 Loggers Lane, Squamish, BC. Loggers sports competition, live music, family entertainment, parade and more. http://www.squamishdays.ca

Abbotsford Agrifair and Rodeo. July 29-Aug 02, 2010. Mighty Fraser Rodeo, $500 Daily Prize Scavenger Hunt, Livestock Shows & Displays, music entertainment, horse drills and more. http://www.agrifair.ca/

Spirit of the Sea Festival and Sandcastle Competition. July 29-Aug 01, 2010. White Rock, BC. FREE. A family oriented celebration of the water, land and life of the Semiahmoo Peninsula. http://www.spiritofthesea.ca

Jamaican Festival. Aug 01, 2010. FREE. Holland park, Surrey, BC. FREE. Jamaican culture, reggae music, bobsled race, food etc. http://alturl.com/2z46d

Maple Ridge Heritage Day. July 31, 2010. Maple Ridge Museum, Maple Ridge, BC. FREE. A celebration of Maple Ridge, BC history. Pioneer Parade, farmer’s market, food, vintage cars, music and dance at bandstand etc. http://www.mapleridge.ca/event-calendar/search.aspx

This is Part 2 of the Mexico Night fireworks, amigo. Part 1 is here. Can the Mexican fireworks best the efforts by Team USA and Team Spain? Of course there is still China, the crowd’s favorite, sitting on the sideline eager to steal the prize at the Celebration of Light fireworks competition this Saturday (July31).

VIDEO – Mexican firework highlights (Part 2) Spectacular finish!



Part 1 Mexico fireworks VIDEO

[Note: Music added during post-production by La Cumbia George and Mariachi El Mojado.]

English Bay 2500 Beach Ave. Vancouver BC

View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery

This is Part 1 of the Mexico Night fireworks. Part 2 Mexico Night fireworks is here. Can the Mexican fireworks best the efforts by Team USA and Team Spain? Of course there is still China, the crowd’s favorite, sitting on the sideline eager to steal the prize at the Celebration of Light fireworks competition this Saturday (July31).

I felt that the Mexican fireworks had subtleties and character, yet there are some quiet moments that maybe a bit too long that created a lure. The finale and highlights of the night are crowd-pleasing and second to none for sure. You be the judge to see if the Mexican pyrotechnic lightshow display at Vancouver’s English Bay can beat the Americans, and Spaniard and topple the Chinese later.

VIDEO – Mexican firework highlights (Part 1)


[Note: Music added in post-production by La Cumbia George and Mariachi El Mojado.]

English Bay 2500 Beach Ave. Vancouver BC

View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery

Japan fisherman dance depicts the hardship of a young fisherman’s life. The performance is part of All Over The Map dance series, a summer festival of multicultural arts and culture at Vancouver’s Granville Island in July & August, 2010.


For more than 30 years, the Powell Street Festival has always been in the Japantown area of Oppenheimer Park on Powell Street near downtown Vancouver. Because of renovation plans at Oppenheimer last year, the event was relocated to Woodland Park, not quite the same neighborhood but nearby. This year the 34th annual Powell Street Festival, one of the oldest community arts festival in Vancouver, is back and calling it a homecoming return to Oppenheimer Park.

Without the Powell Street Festival, many tourists or even long-time Vancouver residents wouldn’t think of or realize that there was a Japantown in Vancouver. That’s because Vancouver’s Japanese community has seen its decline since the Japanese internment during WWII (an injustice done to the Japanese Canadians) and the post-war boom of the Japanese economy which has also lured many Japanese Canadians back to their home country.

Now that the Powell Street Festival is back and shall continue its tradition of celebrating the arts and culture of Japanese Canadians which like many multicultural groups in Canada is undergoing some major changes the longer they have set foot in Canada or for many of the newer generations are actually born in this country. From this year’s programmes and schedules, a large majority of the performances are a mix of different cultures. Even their names and descriptions indicate a melting of some sort is going on. Paris in Tokyo, Shout!WhiteDragon and Haagen & Ryuzen. Others such as Coração Boêmio, a Portuguese-Japanese act, Katari Taiko with Mario Zetina, ancient Asia drumming act with a Latin influence etc. all feature a mating of opposite polarities of different forces at work to achieve a yin-yang harmony.

The Powell Street Festival is actually too large and diverse to be contained in one single-block long public park. There are ticketed theatre acts, night performances, walking tours, museum exhibits, movie screenings, community and special events etc. happening in different venues around town. For sustainability, the Powell Street Festival has introduced the Zero Waste Challenge and Free Bike Valet service for the last three years. The idea is to encourage recycling, ride the bike, use public transportation to come to the festival and other green initiatives.

Something old and something new. There are plenty of traditions to appreciate though. For example, Sa-do (Tea Way or Tea Service) will be presented by Urasenke Foundation of Vancouver. Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging, Bonsai, the art of miniature trees growing, Origami, Sumo, Karate, Aikido demos etc. are all things Japan. Last but not least will be the Omikoshi which is an ancient traditional ceremonial ritual of carrying a portable shrine by a group of carriers who are believed to be possessed by a divine spirit. They will rock the omikoshi, make noises to bring good fortune to those who happen to be nearby. Don’t miss it.

Oppenheimer Park, 400 Powell Street, Vancouver BC

View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery

The Caribbean Days Festival 2010 may have been organized by the Trinidad and Tobago Cultural Society of BC, but musically, most of the bands that performed at the festival such as Tropitonics, Clyde Shizzle, Out of Many, Maffie & Crew acknowledged reggae, Jamrock and Jamaican jamming as their influence. Tropitonics even sang Bob Marley’s famous No Woman No Cry to the crowd’s delight with a giant beach ball flying around and children in a carousel. It was one big Caribbean party filled with soca, reggae, and calypso beats and a hot parade on Lonsdale Ave. in North Vancouver on July 24-25, 2010. The Caribbean Days Festival 2010 turned out to be largely a family event after all, despite the adult-only Moses Revolution show on Saturday night. See you next year!



Waterfront Park, North Vancouver, BC

View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery

Waterfront Park, North Vancouver, BC

View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery

In its 23rd year, the Caribbean Days Festival 2010 is a two-day celebration of Caribbean, African and Latin America music, dance and West Indian culture. It is organized by The Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of BC, an organization that promotes cross cultural understanding, acceptance and interaction between peoples of diverse nationalities and heritage. The event takes place at the beautiful setting of the Waterfront Park in North Vancouver with a spectacular view of the city of Vancouver skyline.

The parade is multicultural and has the participation of other cultural groups as well such as Spirit of the South Sea, Shaolin Hung Agar (Lion Dance), Latinos in Action among others. Of course, the Kwhlii Gibaygum Nisga’a First Nations too. There is Parade judging in a number of categories including overall contingent, best Masquerader Costumes etc. Local politicians present are Andrew Saxton, MP, North Vancouver, Darrell Mussato, Mayor, North Vancouver and Richard Walton, Mayor, District of North Vancouver.

This year’s headlining act is Moses Revolution, a ticketed engagement at the Lonsdale Quay on Saturday 7:30PM. The FREE event at the Waterfront Park has a stable of performers such as Kunaka Youth Marimba Band, Queen of Samba, Tanga, Clyde Shizzle, Phase III Steel Band etc. It’s Carnival Time, Reggae Rhythm, Afro Beat and that Jamaican Sound!



Waterfront Park, North Vancouver, BC

View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery

The summer BBQ took place on July 18, 2010 (Sunday) at the rooftop patio of the Kensington Community Centre in Vancouver. Vision Vancouver wanted to celebrate with party members and the invited public for more than a year of accomplishment at City Hall. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and other elected officials were present. Vision Vancouver is saying that they are ‘embracing a new future and working towards solutions to end homelessness, building a green economy, investing in creativity and innovation and improving the quality of life for all.’

Mayor Robertson assumed office on December 08, 2008. Previously, he was MLA for Vancouver-Fairview from May 2005 to July 2008. This is the first year that Vision Vancouver was hosting the Summer BBQ. More than 150 people showed up for the semi-private function. Word is that they are interesting to host a similar event next year.

VIDEO – Mayor Gregor Robertson gave a short speech and rally. (1’ 18”)












5175 Dumfries Street, Vancouver BC

View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery

Caribbean Days Festival. July 24-25, 2010. FREE. Waterfront Park, North Vancouver. Caribbean Days Parade 10:00AM Sat. All Day Caribbean music and celebration. Waterfront Party, July 24 7:30 pm to 1:00 AM. Recording artist Moses Revolution special engagement. http://www.caribbeandays.ca/

Celebration of Light. July 24, 2010. 10:00PM. FREE. English Bay, Vancouver. Spain fireworks. Theme: Hell & Heaven. Sponsored by London Drugs. Also July 28 (Wed) Mexico fireworks (HSBC) and July 31(Sat) China fireworks (Concord Pacific). http://www.celebration-of-light.com/

Honeybee Festival. July 24-25, 2010. 10AM-4PM. Honeybee Centre at 7480 176 Street, Surrey, BC. Family community event. Exhibit and activities. Thrilling bee beard, beekeeping demos, live music, artists market, honey-tasting, Kids’ Zone etc. http://www.honeybeecentre.com

Mission Folk Music Festival. Jul 23—25, 2010. TICKETS. Fraser River Heritage Park, Mission, BC. Canadian and International artists. http://www.missionfolkmusicfestival.ca/

Cirque du Soleil: Kooza. July 22-Aug 22, 2010. TICKETS. Under the blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau at Concord Pacific Place. Acrobat, theatre, music and dance. Kooza tells the story of The Innocent, the loner and the search for his place in the world. http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/kooza

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery

Like Part 1, Part 2 has only the good stuff, no dead spaces. Wide shots to take in the whole view and closer shots for a more intimate look. July 21, 2010 (Wed) Team America.



English Bay 2500 Beach Ave. Vancouver BC
[
View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery