Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts returns to Vancouver from August 17 to 31

Event celebrates South Asian culture with art, music, dance, workshops, and performances

SPONSORED POST BY South Asian Arts Society

Sunday Funday - Bhangra Dance Lesson with Raja Singh at the Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts.

The 8th annual Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts is back bigger and better than ever from August 17 to 31, presented by the South Asian Arts Society at venues throughout Vancouver.

The festival is a welcoming space for art enthusiasts, attracting generations of families and friends who gather each year to celebrate South Asian culture through diverse and exciting programming.

This year features a lineup of entertainment which includes music, performance art, live podcasts, dance lessons, workshops, a street festival, and an online visual marketplace. 

To kick off the festival, an opening night reception will be held at The Cultch on August 17. The evening shares sneak peeks of the performances presented during the festival, followed by an opportunity to mix and mingle with food and drinks.

Tarannum Thind hosts a live recording of her signature podcast Chai With T at the Surrey Arts Centre Studio Theatre on August 19. Sparked by storytelling and a desire to inspire others, guests won’t want to miss this session from one of the most sought-after, familiar, and personable South Asian media personalities in Vancouver.

On August 20, award-winning actor-writer-theatre artist Adele Noronha presents Momentum at The Cultch. Theatre enthusiasts can join Noronha and a team of artists as they read excerpts of three published plays from three groups of South Asian artists. Chai, snacks, and conversation will follow the readings.

Throughout the festival, attendees can access the popular online Monsoon Marketplace that’s open until August 31, featuring pieces of art for sale created by the performers; or stop by for an Industry Series event, a free community-based initiative of gatherings which includes Bhangra and Kathak dance lessons by renowned artists, along with a writing workshop led by Zahida Rahemtulla.

Plus, be sure to catch Is Democracy Dead? on August 26 at the Progress Lab, which combines an interactive game, social discussion, and theatrical performance; and Vancouver’s historic Punjabi Market on August 27, a free outdoor street festival featuring a cornucopia of music, dance, visual art, great food, family activities, and fashion.

A full schedule of all the activities and performances, plus links to purchase tickets, can be found here.

Post sponsored by South Asian Arts Society.