Guests at the sixth annual Indian Summer Festival will include contemporary artist Bharti Kher, musical group Rajasthan Josh, filmmaker Deepa Mehta and environmental activist Vandana Shiva.
This year's special guest, Waris Ahluwalia, is actor, model, designer, who was most recently in the news for his campaign 
#FearIsAnOpportunity
ToEducate after he was prevented from boarding a flight to New York Fashion Week because of his turban. He shares how he turned a discriminatory incident into an opportunity to educate others.
"Our 2016 'Border Crossings' theme recognizes and encourages pushing barriers," shared Sirish Rao, Indian Summer Festival Artistic Director. "Not only geographically, but also linguistically, religiously, sexually, and racially. We're excited to promote conversation and provoke ideas, creating the space for us to meet at these borders.
At the festival opening gala, Vancouver top chefs will share their culinary creations. In the Maple Leaf Islam portion, three Canadian novelists will explore the borders and possibilities in their real and imagined worlds. Environmentalist Vandana Shiva looks at the impact of the North American food systems on the planet and people living in it. More musicians, such as Rajasthan Josh, will give people a taste of Sufi traditions from the past and present. To close the festival, DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid will perform a Latin/Indian soundclash.
For more information, visit www.indiansummerfest.ca