Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts fills August calendar with dance, music, murals, and more

The celebration of South Asian arts and artists also features everything from workshops to a marketplace

SPONSORED POST BY monsoon festival of performing arts

Krystal Kiran offers a Song & Dance Workshop as part of Sunday Funday Dance Lessons on August 22.

The 6th annual Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts continues through to August 31, with performances, workshops, panels, and much more—all in celebration of South Asian arts and artists.

Here are some of the upcoming highlights.

Sunday Funday Dance Lessons are a glorious way to have some fun, boost your energy, and learn new moves. Renowned dance artists lead the Sunday-morning classes that kick off at 9 am PDT. On August 15, it’s Gidha with NachiYAY; on August 22 Krystal Kiran teaches song and dance. These family-friendly sessions are free via Zoom.

Monsoon Music Night happens August 15, when the power of sounds from around the world – India, Africa, Japan and Cuba – will all come together as one. Des Raj, Jaswinder Raj, Rana Dholi, Kunda Culture, Uzume Taiko, and Israel "Toto" Berriel & Friends perform. The event will be streaming live on South Asian Arts Society’s Facebook and YouTube pages starting at 5 pm PDT.

Des Raj & Jaswinder Raj: perform as part of Monsoon Music Night, August 15.

Monsoon Talks - Artist Panel Discussion on August 22 at 5 pm PDT is 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.  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. Monsoon Talks panelists are Guntaj Deep Singh, Mustaali Raj & Minahil Bukhari, Diamond Point, Sandeep Johal, and guest curator Jas Lally. Moderated by Jag Nagra and Gulzar Nanda. Monsoon Festival is a community partner. The event streams LIVE on South Asian Arts Society’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

Monsoon’s free community-based development workshops, Workshop Wednesdays, offer excellent opportunities for people to immerse themselves in the artistic process. On August 18 via Zoom, look for Freeing Your Character: Script Analysis for Actors with Adele Noronha.

Monsoon Marketplace runs online until August 31, with the Monsoon Festival website hosting artwork by a range of talented visual artists, each offering four works for sale. Participating artists include  Angela Aujla, Anumation, Guntaj Deep Singh, Jag Nagra, Kiran Rai, Mani D and Reena Devani.

A full list of performances and events can be found at monsoonartsfest.ca.

Post sponsored by Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts.