Now in its fourth year, the 2019 Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts runs August 9-13, 2019 in Vancouver and Surrey. Presented by the South Asian Arts Society, the Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts celebrates local performing arts, artists, and the wealth of knowledge they have to offer individuals and our community at large.

Join us for five days of comedy, talks, and a myriad of workshops and classes offered by prolific local performers and creators. Help us nurture the creative power within our community by attending our events, learning more about artists’ processes, and experiencing creative practices, as we invest in and support the next generation of aspiring local artists.

The 2019 festival kicks off with a night of stand-up comedy in partnership with Elements Casino Surrey, featuring some of Greater Vancouver's finest comedians: Rae Lynn Carson, Ash Dhawan, Rajneesh Dhawan, Al Hassam, Devon Kandola, and Leena Manro (I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Chicken fame).

The evening will be hosted by the talented and funny Kalyn Miles, who has hosted the Leo Awards for the past five years! The night will continue with a post-show dance party featuring High Voltage Roadshow's DJ Beatdrop! Cash bar and dinner menu will be available.

The festival will also present an expanded Industry Series featuring FREE staged readings, talkbacks, and development workshops in a variety of disciplines:

• Reading - KAUR by Agam Darshi (Vancouver)

• Workshop - Breath, Voice and Body Connection with Carmel Amit (Vancouver)

• Workshop - Finding Your Core Essence (female acting workshop) with Agam Darshi (Vancouver)

• Workshop - Digital Marketing with Amneet Athwal (Surrey)

• Workshop - Strong Scenes, Stronger Characters (writing workshop) with Paneet Singh (Surrey)

• Workshop - Comedy Class with Leena Manro (Vancouver)

• Workshop - Art and Anxiety: Mindfulness and your Artistic Practice with Gavan Cheema (Vancouver)

South Asian Arts is a Lower Mainland arts organization that promotes South Asian dance, music, and theatre via dance and music classes, professional performances and workshops, guest lectures, as well as presenting comedic plays, musicals, and dance dramas across the Lower Mainland.

For tickets and more information go to monsoonartsfest.ca.