The streets of downtown Vancouver will come alive next week with the beat of the dhol, and the stomping of feet as Bell presents the 2008 City of Bhangra Festival, considered Canada’s largest Punjabi celebration.

Raising hands and spirits on Feb 28 through March 8, the festival organized by the Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration Society encourages cultural exploration and community participation through a diverse series of events highlighting the Northern Indian art form of Bhangra.

“Each year we aim to push the boundaries about what Bhangra is and how it is performed,” says Sukhi Ghuman, Director of the VIBC Society.  “This year, we’re presenting three new events that will showcase Bhangra in an entirely new setting. We’ve taken a form of dance and music created hundreds of years ago in celebration of the harvest in Punjab and brought it to Vancouver and made it accessible to people from other cultures.”

The new events at this year’s festival include the ‘Drum Circle,’ which features drums used in Bhangra music with other drums from around the world. 

‘Disorienting Bhangra’ is a unique panel discussion that brings together scholars, musicians and dancers to talk about how Bhangra is being performed outside Punjab.

‘Transfusion,’ the third new event at the City of Bhangra Festival, is also one of two events being co-presented by the Cultural Olympiad.

Transfusion combines an eclectic blend of contemporary and traditional folk dance styles in a unique dance production. Spanning the subcontinent of India and reaching as far west as the Latin world, this event fuses Kathak, Flamenco, Celtic, African, Chinese, Bhangra, Bharatnatyam and more in a 90-minute presentation of folk dances from around the world. The festival concludes with ten of North America’s best Bhangra teams competing for the $5,000 first prize at the Coast Capital Bhangra Competition at Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
Acclaimed international Bhangra superstar, Malkit Singh, will perform with the Golden Star Group.

Since 2005, the not-for-profit Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration Society has presented events to entertain and educate all communities about Bhangra. The Society’s vision is to embrace the spirit of celebration, generosity and community that is Bhangra. The VIBC is dedicated to spreading the universal rhythm of Bhangra and welcoming people from all cultures to enjoy the beats of this beautiful art form. For more information about the Festival, please visit www.vibc.org.

 

 

Feb 24 - March 9, Art + Soul Gallery Experience the art of Bhangra on canvas at the Art + Soul Gallery.
This exhibit will feature the work of local artists and commission new pieces created specifically for the exhibit. The spirit of Bhangra is interpreted and evoked in vibrant displays using acrylic and oil paint, pencil drawings and sculpture. Free. Art & Soul Gallery, 1277 Robson Street.

 

 

 

Feb 27, 6pm Zin Lounge & Art + Soul Gallery: The Opening Gala officially launches the City of Bhangra Festival with dance and music performances. Celebrate, laugh and enjoy Bhangra with sponsors, members of the arts community and our supporters presented by The Bay Downtown.  By invitation only at Zin Restaurant & Lounge, 1277 Robson St.

 

 

 

March 1 & 2 Vancouver International Film Centre Co-presented by the VIBC Society and the Cultural Olympiad. This original presentation brings together performers and teachers of folk music and dance in an informative and interactive stage production.
This production was also staged at the 2007 Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Tickets $18 through Ticketmaster.ca or by calling 604.280.4444.
Downtown Bhangra
March 7 & 8 Vancouver Art Gallery Georgia Street Plaza: Dance on the sidewalk and sing out loud at Downtown Bhangra, a free outdoor concert stage featuring Vancouver’s finest talent. From drummers, beat-boxers and singers to Bhangra dancers, break dancers and folk dancers of other varieties, this stage is full of non-stop action. Stay for the party on Friday night as DJs and bands throw down tracks from the stage. Free.

 

 

Feb 29 & March 1 Vancouver International Film Centre Co-presented by the VIBC Society and the Cultural Olympiad. This unique event blends contemporary and traditional folk dance styles spanning the subcontinent of India and reaching as far West as the Latin world and the Highlands of Scotland. Watch as Flamenco blurs into Kathak, and Bhangra is intertwined with Celtic in this 90-minute presentation of folk dances from around the world. Tickets available for $18 from Ticketmaster.ca or by calling 604.280.4444.

 

 

 

March 2  Roundhouse Community Centre   March 6 Coal Harbour Community Centre Learn how to dance Bhangra. Led by energetic dance instructors, these workshops bring together new and old dancers to learn the basics of this dynamic and fun dance form. $7 cash at the door.

 

 

 

Feb 29, 8 pm. Vancouver Community College  Exploring percussion and folk drumming from the variety of cultures that represent Vancouver. This exhibition will include performances by Aboriginal groups, Japanese Taiko drum troupes and Bhangra dhol drums, as well as a plethora of other global styles. The highlight of this event will feature a collective performance of drums and rhythms representing the many cultural heritages of Vancouver—distinct in their style—beating as one.
Donations appreciated. Vancouver Community College Auditorium, Broadway.

 

 

Disorienting Bhangra

March 6 UBC Robson Square Theatre. Join guest panelists Gibb Schreffler, Ashveer Singh, Sanjay Seran and others as they discuss, argue and question what Bhangra is and what it means today in a North American setting. This unique panel of scholars, students, dancers and musicians will discuss how and why Bhangra is performed and its relevance outside of Punjab. By donation.

 

 

Bhangra Competition 

March 8 Queen Elizabeth Theatre Coast Capital presents former first place winners Khalsa Junction and UBC Girlz as they battle it out with ten other Bhangra teams for $5,000 and a gorgeous glass trophy. Acclaimed international Bhangra superstar, Malkit Singh, will perform with the Golden Star Group. Watch the following teams light up the stage at the Coast Capital Bhangra Competition: Columbia Bhangra (New York, USA) Davis Di Dynasty 3D (California, USA) Duniya Allstars Coed (Vancouver, Canada) Gator Bhangra (Florida, USA) Khalsa Junction (California, USA) Nachdi Jawani (Toronto, Canada) National Bhangra Association (California, USA) Texas Bhangra (Texas, USA) UBC Girlz (Vancouver, Canada) United Bhangra (Vancouver, Canada).
Tickets $35, $45, $55, $65. Tickets available through Ticketmaster.ca or by calling 604.280.4444, and at Kamal’s Video Palace, Anmol Video and Tasleem’s Video.