In 1942, more than 8,000 Japanese Canadians were detained in barns at Hastings Park before being sent to internment sites in the B.C. Interior or to work camps across the country.
This often forgotten time in the province’s history is front and centre in a new exhibition coming to the Nikkei National Museum in September. Hastings Park 1942, is an “experiential, dramatic glimpse into that tragic episode of Canada’s history,” notes a press release.
The exhibition will include Universal Limited Theatre’s show Japanese Problems, a look at life for Japanese Canadians living at Hastings Park. The performance, directed by Joanna Garfinkle and starring artist Yoshié Bancroft, takes place in a makeshift livestock stall, meant to be a recreation of what the detainees lived in at the park.
“As a teen, I would go to the PNE without knowing the historical significance of Hastings Park,” Yoshie said in the release. “I began to wonder how many people go to the PNE without knowing that 8,000 Canadians were moved through the site during (the Second World War). It’s not a secret and yet it’s not necessarily common knowledge, and that’s a problem.”
Japanese Problem is at the Nikkei museum on Sunday, Oct. 15 and Thursday, Nov. 16. Folks wanting to see it sooner, can catch it at Hastings Park daily from Sept. 22 to 30. (Performances are by donation with a suggested donation of $7.) For more information and to reserve tickets, go to www.japaneseproblem.ca.
Hastings Park 1942 runs Sept. 30 to Jan. 13, 2018, at the museum. There are special events planned throughout the exhibition. For more info, go to www.nikkeiplace.org. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. by donation.
Kimono goes digital
The Nikkei National Museum’s Kimono Culture exhibit will live on long after it’s gone thanks to a grant from Metro Vancouver Regional District.
The Burnaby-based organization was among 31 groups awarded funds through Metro Vancouver’s cultural grant program, which awards arts and culture organizations money every year to help them cover costs associated with running or creating new programs up to a maximum of $10,000, according to a Metro Vancouver press release.
The Nikkei museum received $3,000, which it is using to create an online app called Kimono Play, of a digital dress-up game.
“It’s going to be educational in that it talks about the different seasons and the different styles of kimono and gives a little bit of historical info also,” said Nikkei director-curator Sherri Kajiwara.
Kimono Culture: The Beauty of Japanese Culture Viewed Through the Lens of Kimono is on display at the Nikkei National Museum until Sept. 3. Kajiwara said she expects the app will be ready for public use later this month or in early September.
The Nikkei museum is at 6688 Southoaks Cres. The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is by donation. Get more info at www.nikkeiplace.org.
Last chance
This weekend is your final chance to check out the Summer Sunday Concert Series at Civic Square.
The weekly summer concerts come to an end this Sunday, Aug. 27 with performances by interactive Brazilian drum troupe Los Tambores from 6 to 6:45 p.m. and from 7 to 7:45 p.m. catch Celtic band Blackthorn.
The Summer Sunday Concert Series starts at 6 p.m. at Civic Square, located beside Bob Prittie library (Metrotown) branch at Kingsborough and Mac-Kay. The concerts are free and all ages are welcome, so grab a blanket or two and head over for an evening of music in the park.
Two movies left
There’s still two weeks left to take in a movie at Civic Square.
On Thursday, Aug. 24, grab your family and head to the park for The Secret Life of Pets. The following week, Aug. 31, catch Toy Story on the big screen.
The movies get underway around 8:30 p.m. and usually run until about 10 p.m. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Movies go on rain or shine.
