Celebrate 50 Years of Community, Culture & Legacy
Join us for a special evening marking the 50th anniversary of the Powell Street Festival Society (PSFS). This milestone event brings together generations of community members, supporters, and friends to honour our shared history and look ahead to the future.
For five decades, Powell Street Festival has been a space for cultural expression, community connection, and intergenerational storytelling rooted in Japanese Canadian heritage. This anniversary dinner celebrates that legacy while supporting the next chapter of PSFS’s work.
Enjoy cultural performances, traditional cuisine, and meaningful connection in celebration of community past, present, and future.
Program Highlights
The evening will feature a curated program of cultural performances and community moments:
- Reception Music played by Sharon Minemoto
- Return to Paueru Gai: 50 Years of Powell Street Festival Exhibition – Open for guests to explore
- PSF Wish Station – Share messages and hopes for the future of PSFS
- Photo Stations
- 50/50 Lottery
Sharon Minemoto
Since the age of 16, Sharon Minemoto has been performing for audiences around the
world. She is the leader of a trio, a quartet and a quintet. Her trio and quintet have each
released a recording, available online and on CD and have broadcast shows for CBC
Radio. Her quartet toured across Canada in the spring of 2018, promoting its recording,
Safe Travels. In August 2023, the quartet released its second album, “Dark Night, Bright
Stars”.
A seasoned educator, Sharon has been on faculty in the music department at Vancouver
Community College since 2000 and sits on the Board of Directors for the Fraser
MacPherson Jazz Fund. As curator, she has programmed the popular weekly jazz series
every Wednesday evening and Saturday afternoon at La Fabrique St. George Winery since
2022. In her first three years as curator, La Fabrique sold out all 17 shows during the
Vancouver International Jazz Festival.
Powell Street Salmon BBQ Dinner
A signature highlight of the evening, featuring traditional salmon prepared over an open fire in the spirit of the Powell Street Festival.
Chibi Taiko Performance – Youth taiko drumming ensemble
Chibi Taiko, based in Vancouver, is the first children’s taiko ensemble in Canada. Chibi was founded by Shinobu Homma in 1993 with a goal of passing on this unique and dynamic performing art on to the next generation of Canadian youth. The group’s philosophy emphasizes cooperation, leadership, responsibility and spirituality in addition to the physical and musical discipline needed to build a cohesive and dynamic taiko ensemble.
Paueru Gai Ondo (Bon Odori Dance) – Interactive community dance experience
Paueru Gai Ondo is a community-based song and dance created to honour the history of the Paueru Gai neighbourhood and celebrate our Japanese Canadian community. Join us as we celebrate the Powell Street Festival’s 50th year of community and reunion. This Ondo was created by Vancouver Taiko Society members Anny, E. Kage, Shinobu Homma, Steve Kubota, John Endo Greenaway, and Masami Hanashiro.
Buy Individual Tickets or Reserve a Table of Eight
Seating Information:
Individual ticket holders will be seated at shared tables, creating opportunities to connect with others in the community. If you would like to be seated with friends or family, please indicate this during registration. We will do our best to accommodate requests, though seating cannot be guaranteed.
Event Details
Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
Time: Reception: 5:00 PM
Program & Dinner: 6:00 – 8:30 PM
Location:
Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre (Hayashi Hall)
6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby, BC
Access
NNMCC is located at the corner of Kingsway and Sperling in Burnaby and is easily accessible by both car and public transit. Underground parking is available for visitors.
An elevator provides access between the underground parkade, ground floor, and second floor. A single-stall wheelchair-accessible washroom is located on the ground floor, and the second-floor washrooms also include an accessible stall.
Supporting the Future
This 50th anniversary event is not only a celebration of history—it is also a moment to look forward.
PSFS continues to rely on community support to sustain Powell Street Festival and related programs that celebrate Japanese Canadian culture, support artists and volunteers, and create inclusive spaces for community connection. Building long-term financial stability is essential to ensuring these traditions continue for future generations.
This event marks the launch of PSFS’s endowment initiative, helping to secure the future of the festival and strengthen its impact over time.
Guests will have opportunities to:
- Learn about future plans for PSFS
- Participate in optional giving
- Support the continued growth and sustainability of the organization
Frequently Asked Questions
Semi-formal or business casual.
Yes, limited parking is available on-site and nearby.
Yes. Please indicate any dietary requirements after purchasing tickets.
Beverages will be available via cash bar.
Yes. Group bookings are encouraged. For guaranteed seating together, please reserve a full table.
Yes. The event will be professionally photographed and recorded. By attending, guests acknowledge that they may appear in event media used for documentation and promotional purposes.
Tickets are non-refundable but may be transferred to another guest.
Ticket purchases are not eligible for charitable tax receipts, as attendees receive goods and services of equal value. Optional donations made above and beyond the ticket price may be eligible for a charitable tax receipt, in accordance with CRA guidelines.
Contact Us
For questions or assistance:
Email: Development@powellstreetfestival.com
Phone: (604) 739-9388