News this month: 40th Anniversary Fundraiser, and Happy Holidays!
Message from Artistic Director Mark Takeshi McGregor
As the year comes to a close, I’ve been reminiscing about the 2015 Powell Street Festival – my very first as artistic director. Every minute of the weekend felt like an incredible whirlwind of colour, music, dancing, martial arts, crafts, history, and food. And as exhausting as it all was, all I can think about now are the great things we have in store for 2016 – Powell Street Festival’s 40th Anniversary!
As many of you know, our Kiai! 40th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign is in full swing. Already, so many incredible individuals and organizations have given generously, but we still need your help to raise our goal of $40,000. This campaign is specifically to help us expand the festival site (after record attendance this past summer!), increase our children’s activities, and improve infrastructure that will ensure another 40 years of festival activities. Our campaign kicked off on November 7th with a special event at the Canadian Music Centre featuring the Amsterdam-based sho virtuoso Naomi Sato, followed by a special tea tasting provided by our friends at Tealeaves. During this afternoon we voted for the tea that will become our brand new Kiai! tea – the signature blend of our 40th anniversary.
As our way of saying thank you, everyone who donates $50 or more to Powell Street Festival Society will receive a free package of our unique Kiai! tea – there are a number of other great perks as well, and we encourage you to check out our website to learn more about them.
Great arts and culture is dependent on a deep respect for the past, a vision for the future, and perhaps most of all, the enthusiasm and comradery of the community itself – it’s YOU who makes the Powell Street Festival such a thrilling weekend, year after year. By donating to PSFS – no matter how large or small the amount – you are enriching the cultural identity and quality of life of your entire community. Please consider giving anything you’re able and we’ll keep working hard to bring you the best Powell Street Festival yet!
We've already raised 19% of our $40,000 goal. Help us reach our goal by the end of the year!
Perks
Contributions of $50 - $99
A package of the festival tea, Kiai!.
The tea blend, created by bespoke tea purveyor TEALEAVES, captures the bold tradition, solidarity and innovation of the festival in its 40th year.
Contributions of $100 - $249
Six Art Cards and a package of Kiai! Tea
Documentation from "between what's said and unsaid", a 2007 Powell Street Festival exhibition featuring drawing by Madoka Hara, R. Kikuo Johnson, Kaori Kasai, Cindy Mochizuki, and Jillian Tamaki.
Contributions of $250 - $499
Five Powell Street Festival Postcards and a package of Kiai! Tea
Documentation of Powell Street Festival before 1992 by Tamio Wakayama.
Contributions of $500 - $999
PH6: a book of haiku moods and a package of Kiai! Tea
Limited edition chapbook commission by Powell Street Festival in 2008. Works by Lydia Kwa, Hiromi Goto, Roy Miki, Mark Nakada, Ruth Ozeki, and Brandy Lien Worrall.
Contributions of over $1000.00
Limited Edition Print and a package of Kiai! Tea
Limited edition Linocut Print of Powell Street Festival by Kathy Shimizu.
Powell Street Festival Society graciously thanks the Howard C. Green Memorial Fund for a generous contribution toward our 40th anniversary campaign.
Howard C. Green, Conservative MP for Vancouver South from 1935 to 1963, was in support of the uprooting, and later the repatriation, of Japanese Canadians. In 2007, a federal building at 401 Burrard Street was to be named in Green’s honour. The family was elated, and then disheartened, when the naming was met with controversy. Mary Kitagawa, Grace Eiko Thomson, and other Japanese Canadian community members were in opposition, and ultimately, the building was renamed after the first Chinese Canadian MP, Douglas Jung. The drama of this controversy was the catalyst for some of Green’s grandchildren to research, and grapple with, their family history. A detailed history of Howard Green and Japanese Canadians has been published in a BC Studies (no. 164).
Before accepting this donation, PSFS discussed this with our Advocacy & Outreach Committee, and reached out to community elders and members for input. The response was truly heartening: “a sincere effort,” “opened… mind to see the truth,” and “help all those who are still victims of racism”. The evolution of relationships between Japanese Canadians and some members of the Green family offers insight into the process of reconciliation. PSFS plans to host a discussion on reconciliation in 2016.
Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall
487 Alexander Street
Community Mochitsuki Festival
New Year’s festivities with all-you-can-eat mochi with choice of savoury and sweet toppings, mochi pounding for all ages, and a traditional games corner.
Admission: $6 for adults; $4 for children 3 – 12; free for under 3.
2nd Annual GVJCCA Japanaese Canadian Community Bowl-a-thon Fundraiser
PRIZES AWARDED FOR COLLECTING THE MOST PLEDGES
Join Powell Street Festival Society's team and help collect pledges on our behalf! Contact emiko@powellstreetfesival.com to join.
10 pin bowling! Fun for all ages! Admission: Team (maximum of 6): $150 - includes 2 games and shoe rental for six members. Individual: $25 (we can assign you to a team) – includes 2 games & shoe rental. February 21, 12:30pm Check in, 3:00pm Draws and Prizes Registration: deadline is February 1, (on a first come, first serve basis)
Rev’s Burnaby Bowling Centre, 5502 Lougheed Highway, Burnaby (next to Holdom Skytrain Station – free parking available
Nikkei Centre
6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby
Used Japanese Book Sale
Thousands of Japanese books, comics, magazines.
All in EXCELLENT condition! AMAZING Prices!!
December 12, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Christmas Matcha Party
Presented by Nikkei Centre Tea Ceremony Club. Enjoy a Christmas-themed tea ceremony with sweets. All are welcome, and children 12 and under free can accompany an adult for free!
PSFS is establishing a Legacy Fund to enhance our financial stability as we continue to celebrate Japanese Canadian arts and culture. Powell Street Festival is the largest Japanese Canadian festival in the country and the longest running community celebration in Vancouver. Make a gift to our Legacy Fund.
Your Bequeathment
Whether you are a regular festival goer, a volunteer, or a member of our broader community, you have made a personal investment in Powell Street Festival Society. Commitment like yours is what has enriched our community and kept this festival running for the last 40 years. You can help sustain our vibrancy by remembering Powell Street Festival Society in your estate planning.
By bequeathing to Powell Street Festival Society, you are celebrating the history of the Japanese culture in Canada and giving to future generations.
Powell Street Festival may have impacted your life in some way. You are not alone. Powell Street Festival Society has been touching lives throughout the Lower Mainland for over 39 years by presenting accessible, community based Japanese Canadian arts and cultural programming. We will continue to do so with your support.
For more information on how to donate to Powell Street Festival Society please contact us at 604-739-9388 or email info [at] powellstreetfestival.com.
Do you have a Japanese Canadian or Downtown Eastside community related event? Powell Street Festival Society is pleased to offer our community partners the opportunity to submit their own special events. We will publicize suitable events and activities. It’s our little way of saying thank you for your hard work in our community! Send us via Community Event Submission Form.
