46th annual Powell Street Festival announces lineup for 2022 celebration of Japanese Canadian arts and culture
There’s something for everyone at the in-person gathering in Oppenheimer Park and the historic neighbourhood of Paueru Gai
Post Sponsored by powell street festival
Kokoro Dance.
The 46th Annual Powell Street Festival is gathering in person this year. The 2022 celebration of Japanese Canadian arts and culture takes place mainly in Oppenheimer Park and Paueru Gai (the historic Powell Street area) on July 30 and 31.
Three stages feature contemporary and traditional artists; community food vendors and crafters offer favourite Japanese delights and designs; and traditional Powell Street Festival touchstones will be in place throughout the weekend.
Technology and new forms of art are explored in Kūsou/空相, an interactive and immersive audio-visual installation merging Japanese calligraphy, computer generated art, and western flute at the Anvil Theatre in New Westminster. Back on the festival grounds, there are artists’ talks and panel discussions with work’s creative production team and interactive AI workshops for families.
Onibana Taiko. Photo by Kim Kobayashi
Among the live performances, this year’s diverse lineup includes an appearance by violinist-extremist Kytami & Phonik Ops; stirring butoh by Kokoro Dance set to the sublimely edgy music of jo passed; an exhilarating combination of Onibana Taiko with vocals from opera singer Teiya Kasahara; Hiromoto Ida’s ICHIGO-ICHIEH NEW THEATRE solo show Homecoming 2020; and many more.
New this year, the Asahi Baseball Association joins the festival to promote its forthcoming tour to Japan. A Buddhist blessing of the legendary pre-war players takes place in the Demo Area. Look for new Asahi players at the festival’s Asahi Pitch Game in the park. To keep cool and fill up reusable water bottles, there’s Fuki no Mizu, new bespoke misters and water fountains created by UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture students.
Festival touchstones return: consider free lessons in Paueru Mashup dance in July, with the Community Dance on July 30. There’s the annual Festival Lottery, an interactive zone and children’s tent, and much more.
Selected performances and on-location reporting will be available via online live streams to accommodate those who are unable to visit the festival in person.
For more information, visit powellstreetfestival.com.
Post sponsored by Powell Street Festival.