It's billed as "an international festival of arts and ideas," and a Burnaby performer is in the spotlight.
The Indian Summer Festival is running in Vancouver from July 5 to 15, showcasing top South Asian talents in music, dance, literature, film, visual arts, cuisine, yoga and wellness.
Among the events set for the festival is a Lit and Sound Cabaret on Saturday, July 14, running from 9 p.m. until late.
It's set to include performances by poets, wordsmiths, DJs and musicians, including Burnaby's Mohamed Assani. Assani is a recognized sitar and tabla player who serves as sitar and tabla instructor at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's School of Music.
The lineup for the cabaret also includes Sheniz Janmohamed presenting ghazals, a type of spoken poetry; Chris Bose, a multi-disciplinary artist presenting original stories; Chris Creighton Kelley, presenting improvisational digital performance art; Cecily Nicholson, a poet, and DJ SkyCave.
The evening will also include food from a South Asian-inspired menu.
Tickets are $10 - see www.indiansummer festival.ca/events/cabaret for more details.
And if you don't happen to be free that night, well, there are many, many other events to choose from over the run of the festival. Check it all out at www.indian summerfestival.ca. It's all happening at the SFU Woodward's complex.
ARTISTIC ILLUSION
Here's a heads-up for the art lovers out there - a new exhibition will be opening at the Burnaby Arts Council's Deer Lake Gallery on June 29.
Illusions, which is set to run from June 29 to July 24, features the work of Rebecca Shorten and Shakun Jhangiani.
"We came up with the title 'Illusions' because both our work represent illusions of reality and are not exactly what they seem," Shorten explains on her blog.
Shorten is a potter, while Jhangiani's work is in contemporary painting - her latest work being illusionary landscape paintings in mixed media.
An opening reception will be held on Sunday, July 1, from 2 to 4 p.m.
As a special treat for attendees, that afternoon will also feature performances by the annual Burnaby Summer Theatre program at 2: 30 and 3: 30 p.m. Check out www. burnabyartscouncil.org.
WALKING HISTORY
The Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre is giving you a chance to take a walk into the past.
The Burnaby-based museum is hosting a series of Japan Town walking tours this summer.
The tour of Powell Street will take participants back in time to the bustling pre-war community of Japanese Canadians who lived and worked in the area.
The neighbourhood grew and thrived over a 50-year period, starting in the 1890s and ending abruptly with the internment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War.
Tours are set for June 29, July 14, Aug. 17 and Sept. 8. The tour fee is $10, and you can reserve a spot by calling 604-777-7000, ext. 109, or by emailing [email protected].
All tours meet in front of the Japanese Buddhist temple at 220 Powell St., Vancouver.
Check out www.nikkei place.org for more.
ALMOST FAREWELL
Well, folks, it's hard to believe, but the time has very nearly come for me to bid you a temporary farewell.
My last day of work is June 29 before I head off on maternity leave (yes, for those not already aware, I'm currently expecting my first).
Rest assured, the arts and entertainment beat won't be neglected in my absence - watch these pages for news of who'll be taking over.
In the meantime, you can keep sending your arts and entertainment tips, tidbits and press releases to my email, jmaclellan@ burnabynow.com, as it will be forwarded to an appropriate person.
Have a great year, everyone - I look forward to reading about you all in these pages!
Send arts ideas to Julie, jmaclellan@burnabynow. com.
