News this month: 39th Annual Powell Street Festival Wrap-up, Asahi Tribute Game, and more!
Message from Artistic Director Mark Takeshi McGregor
After months of discussion, brainstorming, site visits, and no small amount of nail-biting, the 39th Powell Street Festival weekend came on like a whirlwind of colour, activity, and vibrant joy. Every minute of each day was brimming with music, dance, food, and (most importantly) thousands of happy festival goers! We’re so thrilled that you made us a part of your August long weekend.
As this was my first Powell Street Festival in my capacity as artistic director, I had the unique opportunity of being privy to the incredible backstage energy, passion, and hard work that brings a festival like this to life. Without question the biggest reveal for me was our superhuman and inspirational community of volunteers. Nothing could have prepared me for your generosity of time and spirit. On behalf of all the staff and board of directors, thank you all so much!
So what are we planning now, you ask? Why, our 40th anniversary celebrations, of course! Our theme for next year is Kiai! – Powell Street Festival has always been about empowerment and self-expression, so throughout the 2015/16 season we’ll be bringing you events that showcase Japanese Canadian arts and culture at its most audacious, inspiring, and affirming. These efforts will culminate with our 40th Powell Street Festival on July 30th and 31st, 2016 in and around Oppenheimer Park, where once again you’ll find our country’s largest and most diverse expression of Japanese food, crafts, displays, community groups, children’s activities, martial arts, and free performances. Expect lots of surprises, special guests, and our ongoing commitment to honouring our past while celebrating our future!
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Photo of Tetsu Taiko at the 2014 Powell Street Festival by Jeanie Ow
On Saturday, August 15th, 2015, join the Powell Street Festival Society, Carnegie Community Centre, and the Japanese Canadian Young Leaders of Vancouver at Oppenheimer Park for the 10th Annual Vancouver Asahi Tribute Game!
The Vancouver Asahi were a Japanese Canadian baseball team that played in the Powell Street area, a historically Japanese Canadian community, from 1914 to 1941. Their home field was Oppenheimer Park.
We play baseball in recognition of the Vancouver Asahi for their contribution to the sport of baseball (the team was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003 and the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2005), and for their place in and impact on the history of Canada, human and citizenship rights, and community-building.
The 10th Annual Vancouver Asahi Tribute Game is a free, inclusive, and family-friendly place to play ball, eat hot dogs, and come together for some summer fun!
Photo of Asahi baseball player courtesy Nikkei National Museum
This year marks 70 years since the end of World War II.
Ode would like to invite you to a poetry reading event to recognize and remember what happened in Japan 70 years ago. No other country has experienced an atomic bomb dropped on to civilians. We see it as our mission to keep reminding the world, to not let these little voices die.
This is not a political event.
These poems are read to remember and to call for world peace at home and abroad.
Saturday, August 15th
Readings start at 4pm & 7:30pm respectively
Groundswell Cafe 566 Powell Street, Vancouver
Cash Bar
Tickets by Donation
On August 16 at 1:00 p.m. join us for the screening of Summer Wars! The winner of the 2010 Japan Academy Prize for Animation, Summer Wars is a cautionary tale from a nearly-there future where online avatars are the norm, existing and interacting within a globe-spanning web universe known as Oz. PSFS Artistic Director Mark McGregor will introduce the film and PALM Orgami will offer an all-ages paper-folding activity after the screening. Presented by the Cinematheque, 1131 Howe Street, in partnership with PSFS.
Welcome to our new Administrative Assistant, Cara Seccafien!
Powell Street Festival Society welcomes our new administrative assistant, Cara Seccafien, to the team! Cara has contributed to several organizations in Vancouver and Edmonton as an artist, designer, and administrator. Most recently she has been involved with WePress and Gallery Gachet. She obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking from the University of Alberta in Edmonton and has since pursued artist residencies in Vancouver and Missouri.
Do you have a Japanese Canadian or Downtown Eastside community related event? Powell Street Festival Society is pleased to offer our community partners the opportunity to submit their own special events. We will publicize suitable events and activities. It’s our little way of saying thank you for your hard work in our community! Send us via Community Event Submission Form.
