Making their anticipated Vancouver debut, February 6, 2016 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, the dynamic and masterly Yamato Drummers of Japan, described as the “U2 of Taiko drumming”, present a heart-themping, athletically charged spectacle that showcases their remarkable strength, expertise and unmistakable sound. Yamato’s one-night only, big budget engagement will feature a ferocious mix of … Read more
Powell Street Festival Society graciously thanks the Howard C. Green Memorial Fund for a generous contribution toward our 40th anniversary campaign. Howard C. Green, Conservative MP for Vancouver South from 1935 to 1963, was in support of the uprooting, and later the repatriation, of Japanese Canadians. In 2007, a federal building at 401 Burrard Street … Read more
Thank you to everyone who donated to our 40th Anniversary Fundraiser on Tuesday, December 1st (otherwise known as #GivingTuesday). Together we raised $640.00 on Tuesday alone. We’ve now raised 21% of our fundraising goal. We still have a ways to go! It’s no too late to donate and help us reach our goal of $40,000. Donations of over $50.00 … Read more
Anyone who donates to our 40th Anniversary Fundraiser this Tuesday, December 1st (otherwise known as #GivingTuesday) will be entered in a draw for 1 of 5 copies of the album Cosmophony by Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa!! In addition, donations of over $50.00 will also be eligible for our other campaign perks including our new Kiai! signature tea. Or … Read more
Mr. Mamoru Yamaguchi May 11, 1934 – November 4, 2015 We are mournful to learn that Mamoru Yamaguchi passed away on November 4, 2015 at the Surrey Memorial Hospital. He was a loved member of our community for several years and will be greatly missed.
Thanks to several generous donors, our 40th Anniversary Fundraiser is off to a fantastic start! We’re just over a week in and we’ve already raised $6,495.98. Help us reach our goal of $40,000.00! For more information and to see the donor perks, check out our campaign page.
In 2015 we saw an approximate 32% increase in our attendance at Powell Street Festival! In 2014 we had an estimated 10,253 – 12,530 visitors and in 2015 we hosted an estimated 13,433 – 16,436. In this document statistician Carl James Schwarz from Simon Fraser University explains the science behind reaching these estimates. Estimating attendance at the Powell Street Festival … Read more
How about a Japanese gift for someone special? We have a one day sale coming up! Saturday, Nov. 21, 11 am – 4 pm At VanDusen Garden, Cedar Room in Floral Pavillion 5251 Oaks Street Free to enter! There will be kimono, yukata, obi, tabi socks, cute key chain charms, coin purses, pouches, hair accessories, jewelry, … Read more
Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas November 6, 2015 9:45 pm 120 min Buy tickets Are you in, or are you out? The films of IN AND OUT, our International Shorts showcase this year, range from festival award-winners to lesser known gems that explore how the choices we make can result in unexpected consequences. From … Read more
Friday October 30, 7pm – 9:30pm Carnegie Theatre, 401 Main Free The Heart of the City Festival is proud to present two films by award-winning documentary filmmaker Greg Masuda – The Spirit of Nihonmachi and The Right to Remain. The Spirit of Nihonmachi (2012, 28 min) Commissioned by the Powell Street Festival for their … Read more
Against the Current, is created by Chibi Taiko, Katari Taiko, Sansho Daiko, Sawagi Taiko and Vancouver Okinawan Taiko, with Grace Eiko Thomson, storyteller Rosemary Georgeson (Sahtu Dene/Coast Salish), Salish music ensemble Tzo’kam led by musician and composer Russell Wallace, narrative contributions by John Endo Greenway, Hiromi Goto and Savannah Walling, and over 25 Downtown Eastside … Read more
Participants Wanted! Against the Current (the FishStix) Project for the Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival! Rehearsal Dates: Sunday, October 25 and Thursday November 5 Performance Date: Friday, November 6 Originally produced by Vancouver Taiko Society & Powell Street Festival Society, Against the Current will have a performance again at this year’s Downtown Eastside … Read more
10th Annual Asahi Tribute Game: Recap The 10th Annual Asahi Tribute Game was a hit! It was a great day of communities coming together to play a fun game and recognize the impact of a legendary baseball team. The credit goes to Kayla Isomura for capturing the spirit of the day. Check out the event … Read more
Many of you noticed our incredible Environment & Sustainability team at work in Oppenheimer Park during the 39th Powell Street Festival. These folks were on hand to help sort recycling, compost, and landfill — helping make PSF one of the most environmentally friendly festivals in the country! Powell Street Festival president Colin Chan talks more about … Read more
Now Hiring General Manager – Japanese Hall The Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall (VJLS-JH) is seeking a skilled individual for the new position of General Manager of the Japanese Hall. The VJLS-JH is over one hundred years old and offers a wide variety of language and cultural courses, along with hosting numerous community … Read more
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 … Read more
The 39th Powell Street Festival has come and gone — and what an incredible weekend it was! Amazing food, thrilling performances, beautiful crafts and displays, incredible martial arts, a vibrant marketplace… there was something for everyone. Many of these wonderful events were captured by the Vancouver Urban Sketchers, a group dedicated to sketching our city … Read more
Location: Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre Runs June 20 – October 11, 2015 Mingei Public Programs are free and open to the public Mingei refers to “hand-crafted art of ordinary people.” It celebrates the beauty and quiet humility in everyday, ordinary and utilitarian objects created by often unknown craftsmen. This exhibit includes over … Read more
The 39th Powell Street Festival is almost here! In the days leading up to the festival we’ll be giving you a glimpse into the hearts and brains of some of our incredible performing artists. First up, we have Bernie Arai, drummer and cymbal artist who will be performing with pianist Chris Gestrin at the Firehall Arts … Read more
We’re continuing our Festival Artist Spotlight, which highlights some of the incredible people who will be performing this weekend at the 39th Powell Street Festival. Today we’re featuring Mark Ikeda, a Calgary-based actor, dancer, and storyteller. Ikeda will be presenting his one-man show, Sansei: The Storyteller on Saturday, August 1st at 4:00pm at the Firehall Arts Centre. Mark … Read more
Pianist Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa has been hailed by audiences and press alike for her dynamic and nuanced performances, but is particularly revered for her interpretations of the music of our time. She’ll perform one of her trademark programmes, Cosmophony, for the Powell Street Festival, in partnership with the Queer Arts Festival. Cosmophony takes place today, … Read more
