2016 Youth Talent Show and Awards Night, Produced by the Canadian Federation of Fiji Organizations (CFOFO)

Location: Khanna Banquet Hall, Surrey,BC

Date and Time: Saturday, May 28, 2016 @ 5:00pm

Description: A Youth Event to promote talent, and encourage volunteerism and to awards post-secondary scholarships.

Public Inquires: Contact – Reena Singh @ 604-817-9040 or reenasingh.cfofo@gmail.com

Website – www.cfofo.org

Facebook Event Page – https://www.facebook.com/events/1570610083264172/

For ticket information see poster above

Given the huge waves of immigration in the early 90’s and the new millenium, VAHMS saw the need to help promote immigrant artists as they struggled to adjust to their new country and still maintain their art-making. “Generation One” was created in 2009 to not only involve Asian immigrant artists who were born in Canada, but also include those who immigrated here and wish to continue or pursue art…

Semper Fi Collective in association with Renegade Arts Company presents

DOGFIGHT

Lyrics and music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

Book by Peter Duchan

March 16-19, Pacific Theatre

604-731-5518

Dogfight is a 2012 musical version of the 1991 film version starring River Phoenix and Lili Taylor. The premise starts with three marines who set off for a night on the town on the eve of their shipment to Vietnam, they engage in the title ritual, where the marine who brings the “ugliest” date to the party wins the wager. One of the marines unexpected falls for one of the “dates” as the evening progresses…

The Pasek and Paul musical is returning to Vancouver for ONLY FIVE performances at Pacific Theatre from March 16-19.

This new presentation features double casting of the leads, playing on alternate nights respectively:
Stuart Barkley (Les Miserables, Arts Club), Justin Lapena (King and I, Gateway Theatre), Amanda Sum (Arigato, Tokyo; SFU Contemporary Arts), Sara Vickruck (Love Bomb, Firehall Arts Centre).The ensemble consists of: Mark Dozlaw (OC Musical, Vancouver Fringe), Zac Beardsley (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Align Entertainment), Matt Montgomery (Heathers the Musical, Frolicking Divas’), Kai Bradbury (Oliver, TUTS), Jess Amy Shead (Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Chemanius Theatre), Lissa Neptuno (FOX’s Lucifer), Sabrina Prada (Carrie: The Musical, Fighting Chance Productions), Ray Boulay (Jesus Christ Superstar, Fighting Chance Productions)

This production presents the actors and musicians inhabiting a space with nothing very minimal props, costume pieces, and their physicality to tell the story. While inhabiting Pacific Theatre’s innovative Traverse style theatre layout, this will be an interesting and immersive experience for the audience.

The casting is also non-traditional, as it will be diverse and cross-cultural, which hasn’t been seen with this musical. This is a comment made on the story and also awareness in reference to the nature and discussions of casting in Vancouver.

The original production of Off-Broadway won a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding musical in 2013 and recently the Awkward Stage Production won 5 Ovation awards including outstanding musical (which Chris Lam also helmed) in 2016.

Semper Fi Collective in association with Renegade Arts Company’s brand, new production is also directed by Chris Lam (Jessie nominee and Ovation winner), musically directed by Peter Abando (Off Key Musical Improv) designed by Carolyn Rapanos (Common Grace, Pacific Theatre), lighting design by Jonathan Kim (The Amish Project, Pacific Theatre).

Dates: March 16, March 17, March 18, and March 19

Times: 16, 17, 18, 19—8 pm and one matinee on the 19^th at 2 pm.

Prices: $18/$25

Venue: Pacific Theatre, 1440 W 12th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6H 1M8

Box office: 604-731-5518

Sarvenaz Amanat: Self-Hell, Exhibition and book launch

Venue: Lobby, 1515 West 7th ave. Vancouver, V6J1S1

Date: Opening February 11 (7-9pm), The exhibition then runs from Feb 12-April 2

Vancouver, BC—On view from February 12 to April 2, 2016, Sarvenaz Amanat’s exhibition ‘Self-Hell’ features a series of 21 dramatic ink drawings and 4 conceptual sculptures depicting the many diverse emotions experienced by human beings. These revealing and evocative works seek to capture the dichotomy of the human condition, both the negative and the positive, and bring the fragile subtleties of our temporal existence to the surface. Sarvenaz Amanat has collated these expressive drawings to produce a comprehensive picture book meant for contemplation and introspection. The result is a radically different perspective on today’s cultural preoccupation with ‘self-help’. This exhibit explores the complex journey from sadness and confusion to joy and hope. Amanat, who typically draws in a classical style, has chosen a simple graphic medium to evoke these diverse emotions – from the fractured landscape of depression and anxiety to integration and renewed joy.

“These drawings were inspired by meeting Art Spiegelman and seeing his work, which often considers trauma and alternative subject matter. As a classically trained artist, it was a challenge to use simple drawings to convey complex meanings and retain a child-like quality to them at the same time,” says Amanat. “I’ve included sculptures that are connected in theme but very different in aesthetic.”

Website: www.sarvenazamanat.com

“The Business of Culture Fundraiser,” presented by Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration Society and Surrey Board of Trade, is taking place at the Riverside Banquet Hall, 13030-76 Avenue, Surrey, BC on Friday, February 19, 2016, at 6:00 pm.

The Business of Culture Fundraiser will be a dynamic evening of art, music, dance, food and great conversations focused on the positive impacts of the arts on business – especially in the development and support of local communities and social networks – which in turn benefit youth, tourism, economics and overall quality of life. The program will begin with a cocktail reception, an art exhibition by Jarnail Singh, and live music by Lapis, followed by keynote address by Mo Dhaliwal, entrepreneur, advocate for the arts, and founder and former Director of VIBC, and a talk by development professional Jocelyn Macdougall. The evening will conclude with a sit-down dinner and more live music. VIBC and the Surrey Board of Trade are dedicated to building and enriching the world we live in by connecting cultural communities, supporting local art initiatives, and creating opportunities for youth engagement through business, the arts, and education. All funds raised will power VIBC’s annual City of Bhangra Festival, June 11–18, 2016.

http://www.vibc.org/vibc_announces_the_business_of_culture_fundraiser

All events at the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre (6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby, BC). Contact: 604-777-7000, www.nikkeiplace.org for details.

Exhibit February 13-May 6, 2016; opening reception Saturday, February 13, 3-5pm
Takao Tanabe – Sumie: Ink Brush Paintings

Sumie is often translated as brush painting, ink wash painting, or Japanese ink painting. In 1959, in part funded by a Canada Council artist grant, Canadian born painter Takao Tanabe visited Japan for the very first time. For two years he studied with sumie and calligraphy masters in Tokyo. Although celebrated across Canada for his seminal landscapes with low horizons, primarily focusing on the west coast of Canada, Tanabe’s sumie paintings display a confident delicacy of technique, exploring both traditional Japanese subject matter and abstraction.  We are honoured to showcase over 35 works by this accomplished artist. A publication will accompany the exhibition. The artist will be in attendance at the opening reception on February 13.

Special events during the exhibit:

• Calligraphy workshop – Saturday, February 27, 2016, 2-4pm
• Curator’s tour – Saturday, April 16, 2pm (during Celebrate Spring event)
• Sumie workshop – Saturday, April 30, 2-4pm

Saturday, February 27, 2016, 2-4pm
Sumie – Calligraphy Workshop

Instructor: Kisyuu. Admission is free but registration is required. Maximum capacity 40 people. We invite everyone to write Japanese style with ink and brush. Sign up for a 25 minute session between 2-4pm.

Saturday, April 16, 11am-4pm; Curator’s Gallery Tour: 2pm
Celebrate Spring!

Free admission. Come celebrate the cherry blossom season at our annual spring festival showcasing Japanese culture: participate in demos, enjoy live performances, shop for unique crafts from local artisans, and have a picnic outside with our popular sell-out Sakura Bento boxed lunches! Includes a gallery tour of the exhibition Takao Tanabe, Sumie: Ink Brush Paintings by curator Sherri Kajiwara at 2pm.

April 30, 2-4pm
Sumie workshop

Instructor: Masako Hori. Admission is free but registration is required. Maximum capacity 40 people. Drop in to try your hand at sumie, a Japanese art form using brush and ink. Sign up for a 25 minute session between 2-4pm.

Your VAHMS Membership for 2015-2016 is expiring!

Renew your membership for 2016-2017 today to be kept in the loop for all things explorASIAN, and to support Asian Heritage Month in Vancouver. Or, become a new member today!

See here to register: https://explorasian.ca/forms/vahms-membership/

Our Submission Form is now live online, and the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society is officially accepting event submission for the explorASIAN May 2016 festival!

Below are some helpful guidelines for the submission process.

Submissions for explorASIAN 2016 Festival

For events taking place during the month of May the submission form must be submitted before Tuesday, March 1st, 2016 for inclusion on the website and in the

Vancouver Courier program guide for the explorASIAN 2016 Festival. We regret that we will not be able to accept any late submissions.

If you are interested in the special advertising opportunities offered to event partners by our

print media sponsor, the Vancouver Courier, the cut off date for booking is Thursday, March 24th, 2016. The final ad will be due on Thursday, April 7th, 2016. (See the Advertising Rates sheet for rates or contact the Courier’s Justin Chen at 604-630-3533 or at jchen@vancourier.com for details).

Guidelines

In order to make the community partnership successful for all, please use the

following guidelines:

• Provide reciprocal publicity by using the attached explorASIAN logo in all your promotional materials
• Events should be accessible to everyone in the community; please ensure there are English translations or explanatory remarks in English for your program.
• When possible, provide VAHMS with complimentary tickets to your event
• Promote and circulate the explorASIAN Festival program guide through your networks.
• Our Recognition Gala is the final event and our only fundrasier during explorASIAN. This June 11^th, 2016 we need your support so we can continue supporting you. Please buy tickets to our Recognition Gala fundraiser at the end of May, donate items to the silent auction/raffle, or become a group or individual member of VAHMS to help us continue the festival.
• Attend the grand opening of explorASIAN Festival from 10:00 am to noon on April 16 at the SFU Woodwards, Djavad Mowafaghian World Art Centre, in downtown Vancouver.
• Complete and submit a feedback form in June following the explorASIAN 2016 festival to assist VAHMS in our accountability to funders.
• If you would like your event also promoted on our website, please see here.

Assistance and Inquiries

If you are a new partner, please let us know if you need help and support. And please specify what kind of help might be needed. Note: we are unable to provide financial assistance.

Please send your submission form to VAHMS coordinator, Eleanor Munk, at office.vahms@explorasian.org for the selection committee to review.

Someone from VAHMS will get back to you for further discussion as necessary.

Deadline Reminders: the deadline is March 1st for inclusion in the May program guide that will be printed in the Courier. If interested in optional advertising opportunities with the Courier the cut off date for booking is March 17th, 2016.

Thank you for your interest and participation. Together we will create our best

explorASIAN Festival yet!

The Department of Asian Studies, at the University of British Columbia, presents their annual John Howes Lecture in Japanese Studies featuring guest speaker Dr. Norma Field, Professor of Japanese Studies Emerita at the University of Chicago. This year’s lecture, titled Five Long, Short Years: Our World, Our Fukushima, will discuss the Great East Japan Earthquake that brought with it a tsunami and nuclear catastrophe in 2011 and the efforts that have been made since, over the last five years in Fukushima, to struggle for an alternative world.

Talk: Five Long, Short Years: Our World, Our Fukushima
Date: Monday, January 18th, 2016
Time: 6PM – 8PM
Place: Asian Centre Auditorium, 1871 West Mall, UBC, Vancouver

This lecture is free and open to the public. Online registration is required: http://asia.ubc.ca/events/event/john-howes-lecture-in-japanese-studies

Speaker Bio:

The Robert S. Ingersoll Professor of Japanese Studies Emerita at the University of Chicago, Norma Field was born and educated in American schools in Tokyo, Japan. Her publications include In the Realm of a Dying Emperor: Japan at Century’s End; Kobayashi Takiji: 21seiki ni do yomu ka (Reading Kobayashi Takiji for the 21st Century); Fukushima Radiation: Do You Still Say No Crime Was Committed (co-translator); and For Dignity, Justice, and Revolution: An Anthology of Japanese Proletarian Literature (co-editor).

More details can be found on our event page:http://asia.ubc.ca/events/event/john-howes-lecture-in-japanese-studies

For information, please contact:

Oliver Mann

Marketing & Events Coordinator

Department of Asian Studies – University of British Columbia

607 – 1871 West Mall, Vancouver

604-827-2610

asia.ubc.ca