Karima Essa. Photo: Monsoon Festival
The South Asian Arts Society announced the dates and program schedule for the sixth annual Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts, online from August 1 – 31.
“In 2016, we launched the Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts to provide South Asian artists with a platform on which to showcase their creative work, and to share their talents with a broad audience. This year we’re excited to again present our festival online with a range of remarkable artists presenting and performing in some amazing music, dance, informational and participatory events – as well as a special partnership with the Punjabi Market Regeneration Collective. We invite everyone to join us!,” says South Asian Arts Society Executive Director and Monsoon Festival Producer, Gurpreet Sian.
Running throughout the month of August, the festival celebrates South Asian art in the world, offering a diversity of great programming options. Festival attendees will experience music and dance performance, panel discussions, a marketplace of visual art, dance classes, development workshops and more.
Vancity Bhangra. Photo: Monsoon Festival
The event schedule features:
Monsoon Marketplace
Launching August 1 and running online until August 31, the Monsoon Festival website hosts the work of a range of talented visual artists, each offering four works for sale. Participating artists (to date) are: Angela Aujla, Anumation, Guntaj Deep Singh, Jag Nagra, and Kiran Rai.
www.monsoonartsfest.ca/marketplace
Monsoon Music Night
On Sunday, August 15 starting at 5pm (Pacific), experience the power of sounds from around the world – India, Africa, Japan and Cuba – all coming together as one! Join artists and groups: Des Raj, Jaswinder Raj, Rana Dholi, Kunda Culture, Uzume Taiko, and Israel “Toto” Berriel & Friends.
Streamed LIVE on Monsoon’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
Register for FREE / by donation at www.monsoonartsfest.ca
Monsoon Talks – Artist Panel Discussion
On Sunday, August 22 starting at 5pm (Pacific), join an intimate and honest conversation about the trials, tribulations, and successes of the artistic process with the artists involved in the Murals in the Market public art project. Monsoon Festival is a community partner. Panelists are: Guntaj Deep Singh, Mustaali Raj & Minahil Bukhari, Diamond Point and Sandeep Johal with guest curator, Jas Lally.
Streamed LIVE on Monsoon’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
Register for FREE / by donation at www.monsoonartsfest.ca
Sunday Funday Dance Lessons
“Take more chances. Dance more dances.”
On Sunday mornings in August, Monsoon presents a glorious opportunity for folks to have some fun, boost their energy, and learn some cool dance moves. Get your whole family together! These FREE dance lessons are led by renowned dance artists performing in a variety of styles.
The schedule runs as follows:
Aug. 1 – Bollywood Dance with Karima Essa
Aug. 8 – Bhangra with Vancity Dance
Aug. 15 – Gidha with NachiYay
Aug. 22 – Song & Dance with Krystal Kiran
Online lessons via Zoom start at 9am (Pacific). Sign-up required!
Register at www.monsoonartsfest.ca
Workshop Wednesdays
Monsoon’s free community-based development workshops offer excellent opportunities for people to immerse themselves in the artistic process. It’s a chance to learn valuable skills from accomplished industry professionals in a variety of disciplines.
Aug. 4 – Music Review & Release Strategies with ishQ Bector
Aug. 11 – The Score: Sound Design & Composition for Theatre & Film with Ruby Singh
Aug. 18 – Freeing Your Character: Script Analysis for Actors with Adele Noronha
Lessons conducted online via Zoom.
Register at www.monsoonartsfest.ca
Murals in the Market
Murals in the Market is the Punjabi Market Regeneration Collective’s initiative to help facilitate storytelling along with discussions on racism and discrimination through public art. By collaborating with local BIPOC artists, they are presenting a series of murals in the Punjabi Market. The featured artists are: Guntaj Deep Singh, Mustaali Raj & Minahil Bukhari, Diamond Point, and Sandeep Johal.
Guest Curator: Jas Lally
The murals are scheduled for completion by August 10, 2021, when they will be accessible to the general public for viewing.
Location: Punjabi Market on Main St. between 48th & 51st Ave.
Monsoon Festival is proud to be a Murals in the Market community partner.
A full list of performances and events can be found at monsoonartsfest.ca
Peacock by Jag Nagra. Photo: Monsoon Festival
About the Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts
The welcoming of the captivating and spiritual force of the monsoon in India dates back thousands of years. Vancouver is also known for its rainfall. With the intersection of these two natural phenomena, the goal of the South Asian Arts Society is to celebrate the monsoon in the Lower Mainland through the presentation of the multidisciplinary Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts. Launched in 2016, the festival provides South Asian artists with the opportunity to experiment and present their creative work, and to share and learn from some of the most accomplished artists in the industry.
About South Asian Arts Society
South Asian Arts Society is committed to creating performance and educational opportunities for professional and amateur artists, while developing artistic forums that act as a platform for building knowledge of South Asian culture via new projects, new ideas, and new collaborations. They are active in promoting 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.
#MonsoonArtsFest2021
Instagram: @SouthAsianArts
Facebook: facebook.com/SouthAsianArts
Twitter: @SouthAsianArts
Website: www.southasianarts.ca
Check out 2020 Festival highlights: https://www.youtube.com/user/southasianartsvault
