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Powell Street Festival

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Powell Street Festival

【パウエル祭】Japanese Canadian art & culture summer festival, plus year-round programs and events! The Powell Street Festival takes place every BC Day long weekend.
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Powell Street Festival (PSF) is the largest event of its kind in Canada and the longest running community arts festival in the Lower Mainland. We provide a venue for emerging and established, professional and amateur, and traditional and contemporary artists in the Japanese Canadian and Asian Canadian communities. We also participate in co-presentations with other arts organizations throughout the year and produce our own programming as part of an annual season.

09/21/2024

Last Sunday, we gathered to celebrate the Vancouver Asahi with an exciting ball game at Oppenheimer Park
⚾🌟

This annual event commemorates the legendary Japanese Canadian baseball team that made an incredible impact both on and off the field. We also had the honour of unveiling the Vancouver Nisei Baseball Team Sign, recognizing the perseverance and teamwork of the Nisei team who fought against post-war injustices. A huge thank you to our volunteers and supporters for making this event possible! Your efforts hugely helped create a wonderful day of ball, hot dogs, and community spirit!
🙌

📷 by Matthew Chun

09/18/2024

Join the Powell Street Festival Society team as our Program Coordinator! We're looking for a dedicated and organised individual to help curate and manage Japanese Canadian arts and cultural programming. Work with a dynamic team to produce the Powell Street Festival, Canada’s largest celebration of Japanese Canadian culture!

✅ Full-time position

✅ Flexible hours

✅ $20-$26/hour + benefits

If you're passionate about community, arts, and culture, we would like to hear from you!

📅 Apply now - position open until filled.

👉 Visit the link for full details: https://powellstreetfestival.com/get-involved/jobs/

09/09/2024

⚾️ Join us for the Vancouver Asahi Tribute Game as we commemorate the legendary Japanese-Canadian baseball team and their impact on Japanese Canadian history!
This year we have the honour of unveiling the Vancouver Nisei Baseball Team Sign, in partnership with the Vancouver Nisei Baseball Committee. We will commemorate the resilience, perseverance, and teamwork of the Vancouver Nisei Baseball Team as they conquered racism, inequities, and post-war injustices from 1951 to 1960.

📅 Speeches and photos start at 10:15am!
🌭 Enjoy free ball games, hot dogs, corn, and summer fun for all ages and skill levels!
📌 Oppenheimer Park

Learn more and Pre-register on https://powellstreetfestival.com/16th-asahi-tribute/

Hosted by Powell Street Festival Society with support from Oppenheimer Park, Vancity, and more.

08/23/2024

🗓️ Join Us for a Powerful Weekend of Remembrance and Reflection! 🗓️

This September, commemorate the 117th anniversary of the 1907 Anti-Asian Riots in Vancouver with two impactful events led by author and artist Henry Tsang (). Don’t miss this chance to engage with history through food, art, and immersive storytelling.

🗓️ RIOT FOOD HERE - Sat, Sept 7
Experience a revival of the RIOT FOOD HERE pop-up food art project. Chef Karima Chellouf will reimagine the cuisines present during the 1907 Anti-Asian Riots—European, Chinese, Japanese, Indigenous, and Punjabi—at the Chinese Canadian Museum. Alongside the food, Henry will reflect on his projects, including the 360 Riot Walk and his book “White Riot.”

🕕 Time: 6:00-8:30 PM
📍 Location: Chinese Canadian Museum (51 E Pender St)
💵 Cost: $50/annual pass holder; $55/general admission visitor
Get your tickets through the link in ’s bio!

🗓️ 360 Riot Walk – Sun, September 8
360 Riot Walk is an interactive walking tour tracing the path of the 1907 Anti-Asian Riots. Immerse yourself in the time’s history and social and political context. The soundtrack is available in four languages of the local residents of the period: English, Cantonese, Japanese, and Punjabi. This will be the last 360 Riot Walk tour of the year!

🕚 Time: 11:30 AM
📍 Location: Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall (487 Alexander St)
💵 Cost: $15-20
Register through TicketTailor—link in ’s bio!

Let’s honor the past, reflect on its impact, and continue the dialogue for a more inclusive future. We hope to see you there!

08/22/2024

🎬 Catch GUIÁN at VLAFF 2024! 🎬

We’re thrilled to share that Vancouver Latin American Film Festival. is featuring GUIÁN, a heartfelt documentary that explores the untold stories of her grandmother's past, connecting Chinese and Costa Rican heritage in a moving journey. Don’t miss this beautiful film that bridges generations and cultures.🌏🎥

📅 Date: Wednesday, Sept 11
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Cineworks (300-1131 Howe St.)

📣 GIVEAWAY 📣 (*** On Instagram only)
For a chance to win a pair of tickets to this special screening, head over to our Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/powellstfest/ and enter our giveaway! 🎟️✨

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powellstfest/
Learn more about the film: https://vlaff.org/guian

Don’t miss out on this incredible film experience at https://vlaff.org/

08/07/2024

*** Please share if you can!

📢 We're Hiring! 📢

The Powell Street Festival Society is looking for a new Executive Director!

After nearly a decade of exceptional leadership, Emiko Morita will be stepping aside. We're inviting passionate individuals to apply and help us continue celebrating Japanese Canadian arts and culture.

Join us and be part of the legacy! Apply now through our LinkedIn job posting.

🔗 https://powellstreetfestival.com/get-involved/jobs/

08/03/2024

The 48th Annual Powell Street Festival is here, and of course, the much-anticipated Sumo tournament is back! 🎉

If you’re curious but not yet confident enough, join a free sumo workshop hosted by Sumo Sundays on Saturday, Aug. 3 (12:30 PM) at the Vancouver Japanese Language School & Hall (.jh) to learn basic techniques!

Don’t miss the sumo tournament at the Demo Area in Oppenheimer Park on Sunday, Aug. 4 (2:15 PM). Arrive early to get a seat!

Interested in competing? Visit the sumo booth between 11:30 AM to 1 PM on Sunday to sign up (first come, first served). All bodies, experiences (including beginners), and genders are welcome to participate!

A special thank you to our sponsor, Fujiya!
Thank you for your ongoing support of Powell Street Festival. Fujiya’s founder, Shigeru Hirai, has long been involved with Sumo at the Festival. He belonged to the Sumo Fun Club and loved getting folks to sign up for the tournament, which he also MC’ed!

08/03/2024

🌟 Support the Next Generation of Japanese Canadians! 🌟

Powell Street Festival Society is soliciting donations for our Japanese Canadian Youth Cohort program! This vital initiative offers young Japanese Canadians (aged 19-29) the opportunity to connect with their cultural heritage and build community through live events.

Why Donate?
Your support helps us provide:
⭐️ Training and education in event production, culture, and history
⭐️ Networking opportunities with cultural event producers and artists
⭐️ Hands-on tasks that foster inter-generational relationships
⭐️ Mentorship from elders and non-profit professionals
Volunteering experience with over 200 Festival volunteers

By donating, you empower young Japanese Canadians to engage deeply with their heritage and contribute to their community. Your generosity makes a significant difference in their lives.

🔗 Donate Now:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/powell-street-festival-society/campaign/japanese-canadian-youth-cohort

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and support. Together, we can make a tangible difference!

📹: 🌟 Hear from 2021's cohort about their transformative experience! Watch the video message and see how your donation makes a difference🌟

08/02/2024

Along with many beloved returning vendors, we are thrilled to welcome some exciting new participants to this year’s Powell Street Festival! 🌟🎉

Introducing Tatchan Noodle, serving up delicious Soki Soba, a traditional Okinawa noodle dish that you won’t want to miss. 🍜✨

We’re also excited to have OHME! joining us, offering a variety of tasty freeze-dried fruit in 10 flavors and freeze-dried yogurt bites in 2 flavors. 🍓🥭🫐

And don’t miss Taco Nori, bringing an amazing lineup of nori tacos 🌮🍣
Come and explore these new vendors and many more at Vancouver’s largest Japanese Canadian summer festival! See you there! 🎊🇯🇵

📷1: Tatchan Noodle
📷2: Taco Nori
📷3: OHME!

08/02/2024

【Thank you for supporting PSF!!】

Since 1989, the David Lam Centre has championed intercultural dialogue on social, cultural, and economic issues, blending contemporary and historical insights. Join our vibrant community of Asia-Pacific scholars and students, or attend our sponsored events where you can engage with the local community at Simon Fraser University and beyond!

📷 Photos from a recent event, “Survivors of the Atomic Bomb.” The delegation arrived in Vancouver on the “Peace Boat” for a one-day visit. Hosted by the David Lam Centre and the School for International Studies, the public talk on July 8 was deeply emotional and impactful, as shared by attendees.

08/02/2024

【A BIG THANK YOU!!】

The Strathcona Business Improvement Association is a proud sponsor of the Powell Street Festival, and is committed to investing in and preserving art and culture spaces in the Strathcona area to foster a complete community. By partnering with community-based organizations like the Powell Street Festival Society, the Strathcona BIA works to enhance and solidify the neighbourhood’s image as a thriving place for the arts.

You can find out more about the Strathcona BIA’s work via their IG page and the website strathconabia.com.

07/27/2024

📣 Our 2024 festival program is here! 🎉

In partnership with , our program guide is now available at various locations in Vancouver and Richmond. Pick up your free copy today at one of these locations to start planning your festival experience:

⭐️ Vancouver Public Library Central and Hastings Branches
⭐️ Mt Pleasant Community Centre
⭐️ Vancouver Japanese Language School
⭐️ Fujiya
⭐️ Konbiniya
⭐️ The Postcard Place
⭐️ Izumiya

During the festival, programs will be available for free at our Information Booth in Oppenheimer Park 🎪

07/21/2024

We are thrilled to present a screening of 🎥 “Between Pictures: The Lens of Tamio Wakayama” at the Firehall Arts Centre as part of this year’s Powell Street Festival on Saturday, August 3 at 12:00pm. Start off your festival in the air-conditioned Firehall Theatre (Firehall Arts Centre) with this free screening of the new film directed by Vancouver-based filmmaker and visual artist Cindy Mochizuki.

Between Pictures: The Lens of Tamio Wakayama, tells the epic journey of the late Japanese Canadian photographer Wakayama who decides to join the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in the deep south during the 1960’s American civil rights movement. Learning the art of dark room photography along the way, this transformative journey allows him to confront his own identity and to return ‘home’ to the west coast of Canada to begin a body of photographic work that continues to document, celebrate, and represent the spirit of Japanese Canadians who resided in the former Paueru G*i/Powell Street neighborhoods.

#日系イベント #バンクーバー #無料イベント #夏祭り

07/21/2024

🥳Our 2024 Powell Street Festival t-shirts are here!🎉 Featuring this year's festival artwork by Nicole Larsen, these cute limited edition t-shirts are available in a variety of sizes and were printed locally in an artisan silk screen studio. Order yours now on our website, or visit the merch booth in Oppenheimer Park at this year's Powell Street Festival, while quantities last!
https://powellstreetfestival.com/shop-merchandise/

About the Festival Illustrator, Nicole💖
Nicole Larsen (https://rippleandrise.ca/) is a Vancouver-based muralist, artist, illustrator, and graphic designer with over a decade of experience in the design industry. Her work is deeply influenced by her Japanese Canadian heritage and her connection to nature, characterised by bold, vibrant colours and joyful, uplifting imagery. Nicole is dedicated to fostering community through creativity, using her art to spread joy and bring people together.

Working with the Powell Street Festival has been a dream come true for Nicole, as it allows her to celebrate her Japanese heritage while bringing the community together with her playful and joyful designs. She is also grateful to be a part of the festival this year as a market vendor and hopes to see everyone there!

#パウエル祭 #フェスコーデ #日系イベント #バンクーバー

07/12/2024

⭐️TOMORROW!!⭐️Calling all sumo kids!
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/powellstreetfestivalsociety

Join us for a morning of sumo training! These sessions’ aim to build confidence and safety around this popular Japanese sport in preparation for the Festival. Children ages 2-18, regardless of size, gender, or experience are welcome to participate. From 10-10:45 am will be ages 2-12 and 11-11:45am will be for ages 13-18. Activities will include warm-up exercises, practice matches, and a mini tournament. Sign up via the Ticket Tailor link above.

07/04/2024

🎉 The Powell Street Festival is proud to welcome over 20 food booth vendors offering an array of Japanese cuisine along Jackson and Dunlevy Avenues and Alexander Street at this year's Powell Street Festival! 🍣🍜 Many community groups will offer festival favourites, like the JCCA's Spam Masubi, as well as offerings from Konko Church, Vancouver Japanese Language School, and the Buddhist Temple . 🍱 Returning for the first time since the onset of the pandemic, we are thrilled to announce the return of Tonari Gumi and the PSF Salmon BBQ. 🍣✨ We encourage festival-goers to visit these community booths! 🎊

06/12/2024

✨📣 Announcing the 48th Annual Powell Street Festival!⁠ 🎉

Celebrate Japanese Canadian art and culture this August 3-4 in Oppenheimer Park and Paueru G*i 🎊⁠

With over 60 performances and presentations across multiple venues, including dynamic live music and butoh dance from Kokoro Dance; Kintsugi, an interactive Internment installation by Annie Sumi and Brian Kobayakawa; and a screening of local artist Cindy Mochizuki’s Between Pictures: The Lens of Tamio Wakayama.

⁠Experience a rich program filled with community voices, professional artistry, and thought-provoking ideas. Highlights include panels, movie screenings, walking tours, martial arts, taiko drumming, a sumo tournament, Japanese food and craft booths, children's activities, and much more. Join us this BC Day Long Weekend! 🌟

In between scheduled events, you can count on the Powell Street Festival favourites you know and love from grabbing a bite at our delicious food booths and shopping at the craft marketplace to dropping in on display and community booths, children’s activities and trying your luck at our Festival Lottery. 🍣🎨🎪

Check out our website https://powellstreetfestival.com/ for more, and stay tuned for updates as the Festival Weekend approaches! 🎉

Photo 1: 2024 Festival poster designed by Nicole Larsen
Photo 2: Counterclockwise from top: Kokoro Dance Theatre Society, Kintsugi, Between Pictures: The Lens of Tamio Wakayama by Cindy Mochizuki, PSF merch (unisex colour T-shirt)

Merch: https://powellstreetfestival.com/shop-merchandise/
Lottery: https://powellstreetfestival.com/lottery/

*i
#バンクーバー #パウエル祭 #日系イベント #お祭り #夏祭り #バンクーバーイベント

05/28/2024

Volunteer applications for the 48th Annual Powell Street Festival are now⁠
🎉OPEN!🎉⁠

Contribute to this community-built festival, meet new friends, and enjoy Japanese Canadian art & culture! Volunteer opportunities span Thursday, August 1 ~ Tuesday, August 6 (volunteer party!).⁠
⁠
No experience is required. Whether this is your first or 48th Powell Street Festival, we can't wait to have you on our team! To apply, please visit:

https://powellstreetfestival.com/get-involved/volunteer
⁠
*Deadline to apply is mid-July 😎

05/26/2024

Join us on Sunday, June 9, 2024 for an amateur sumo tournament hosted by Sumo Sundays and the Powell Street Festival Society!

05/22/2024

🎟️ 2024 Powell Street Festival Lottery Tickets Are Now Available! 🎟️

This year, we have 39 amazing prizes totaling $7,048 in value!

🌟 Win a trip to Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, worth $1,660! 🌟

Other top prizes include:
🍱🎵 Dinner & Entertainment Package with an Audio-Technica Sound Burger Portable Turntable (sponsored by Mint Records), Hapa Izakaya gift card (sponsored by Hapa Izakaya Hapa Izakaya) and Guu Izakaya gift card (sponsored by Guu Izakaya)
🎭 "Showstopper for 2" package with Firehall Arts Centre 4-Show Passes for the 24/25 season x2 (Firehall Arts Centre) and a Hapa Izakaya gift card.

Prizes have been donated and sponsored by our longstanding community partners and local businesses! 🫶 All proceeds support the Powell Street Festival Society, ensuring our ongoing sustainability and resilience.

The full prize list can be found at https://powellstreetfestival.com/lottery/

⭐ Buy tickets through the link above⭐

Thank you for your support!

05/16/2024

May is and as part of our celebrations we are highlighting some of the recent accomplishmets of our members. New Works Showcase participant Luka Kawabata and his original show, The Hafu Project, will be presented by City Opera Vancouver on May 25 & 26. Congratulations Luka!

For tickets click here: https://www.vtixonline.com/the-hafu-project/

The HAFU ハーフ Project is an emotional journey of navigating identity through music, dialogue and media. Adapted from the existing digital series of the same name, this live presentation will be the first public performance in the next stages of the project.

Combining traditional and adapted song, while drawing on cultural touch points from Japanese, Swedish and Canadian culture, The HAFU ハーフ Project shares a semi-autobiographical story in the struggle with identity and seeking new meaning in community.

Luka Kawabata, baritone
Perri Lo, piano

Address

410/111 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC
V6B1G4

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm

Website

http://www.powellstreetfestival.com/

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🌟 Support the Next Generation of Japanese Canadians! 🌟 Powell Street Festival Society is soliciting donations for our Japanese Canadian Youth Cohort program! This vital initiative offers young Japanese Canadians (aged 19-29) the opportunity to connect with their cultural heritage and build community through live events. Why Donate? Your support helps us provide: ⭐️ Training and education in event production, culture, and history ⭐️ Networking opportunities with cultural event producers and artists ⭐️ Hands-on tasks that foster inter-generational relationships ⭐️ Mentorship from elders and non-profit professionals Volunteering experience with over 200 Festival volunteers By donating, you empower young Japanese Canadians to engage deeply with their heritage and contribute to their community. Your generosity makes a significant difference in their lives. 🔗 Donate Now: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/powell-street-festival-society/campaign/japanese-canadian-youth-cohort Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and support. Together, we can make a tangible difference! 📹: 🌟 Hear from 2021's cohort about their transformative experience! Watch the video message and see how your donation makes a difference🌟