The Festival

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

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

The 39th Powell Street Festival starts TODAY! For two whole days Oppenheimer Park and surrounding areas will be a nexus of Japanese and Japanese Canadian music, dance, crafts, communities, and food! We’re proud to be featuring an incredible roster of creative talent, including the mind-blowing performers of Kokoro Dance, who will be performing today (Saturday, … Read more

In partnership with The Bulletin/Geppo, our program guide is available at listed locations. You can also download the 2015 Festival Program Guide (PDF, 12.5 MB) and the 2015 Festival Schedule (PDF, 1.7 MB), or view the schedule online! Vancouver East Vancouver Tenrikyo (3690 Nanaimo St, Vancouver) Japanese United Church (4010 Victoria Dr.) Sakura Grocery (517 … Read more

Make Your Own Salmon & Join the Performance! Sunday, August 2nd from 2 to 4:30pm Orientation for the show: 4:30pm at behind the yellow fieldhouse near the Children’s Tent Performance: 5:15pm – 6:15pm Against the Current, aka Fishstix, is a collaborative performance exploring the life and history of the salmon. Developed as a partnership between … Read more

We’ve revealed our locations and program of artists and activities for the 39th Annual Powell Street Festival running August 1st and 2nd, 2015 from 11:30am – 7:00pm daily! View our online 2015 Festival Schedule. Download the 2015 Festival Program Guide (PDF, 12.5 MB) or just the 2015 Festival Schedule (PDF, 1.7 MB). After holding a … Read more

JETAABC is hosting its annual summer baseball event on Saturday, August 8 at Nat Bailey Stadium! Enjoy food and drinks with friends and family in a private VIP BBQ section of the baseball field, watch some top-quality AAA baseball, and get an up-close-and-personal fireworks show after the game. A perfect way to spend a warm … Read more

Location: Corner of Renfrew Street at East Hastings Street (PNE Fairgrounds), Vancouver Dates: June 20, 2015 & July 25, 2015 at 10am Fee: NNMCC members $8 + tax | non-members $10 + tax. Space is limited. Please reserve your spot in advance In early 1942, over 8,000 Japanese Canadians were detained in Hastings Park before being sent to internment … Read more

Vancouver Taiko Society (in partnership with Powell Street Festival) will be performing at the 39th Annual Powell Street Festival and we are currently making props through community workshops in the Downtown Eastside. We are looking for volunteers who can help papier mache on Tuesday, July 7 between 1pm – 4pm at the Art Room, Carnegie … Read more

When: July 3, 4 & 5, 2015 Friday & Saturday: 7pm / Sunday 2pm Where: The Dance Centre 677 Davie Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 2G6     a woman in a window, some stars and a man crossing the river… Voyage through the memory and imagination of a woman gazing out her window waiting … Read more

Location: Michael J. Fox Theatre, Burnaby When: July 10th, 2015 Japanese pianist Kentaro Kihara has enamoured international audiences through his impassioned musicianship and style. Born in Kushiro, Japan, Kentaro Kihara has composed a range of music for J-POP, theater, animation, film, and television, and has performed on stage and released albums throughout the US and Japan. Join him as he serenades Burnaby … Read more

You are invited to attend a Gathering to hear and witness the Apology issued by the Anglican Bishop of Calgary and the Anglican Bishop of New Westminster to all members of the Japanese Canadian Community affected by abuse perpetrated by late Goichi Gordon Nakayama, past minister of the Anglican Church. Event details: Monday, June 15, … Read more

Help us change the way others think about mental illness! A national Movember-funded study is looking for South, East or Southeast Asian males to participate in mental health workshops. The workshops, located across Metro Vancouver, will provide opportunities to learn about becoming community advocates, raising awareness, mindfulness, and mental health knowledge. Eligible volunteers will be … Read more