Message from Artistic Director
Mark Takeshi McGregor
The cherry blossoms are bursting out there – and that means plans are genuinely afoot for our 2016 Powell Street Festival. It also means another important PSF event is on the horizon: our Kiai! 40th Anniversary Party & Silent Auction! Whether you’re a regular, occasional, one-time, or even future festival attendee, this will be a wonderful way to meet and re-connect with our vibrant community, enjoy incredible live music performances, sample some delicious Japanese food, and bid on an amazing selection of silent auction items. Think of it as a “mini-matsuri” to keep the appetite whetted for the real deal: our 40th Anniversary Festival on July 30 & 31. The Party & Silent Auction takes place on May 7th at 7:30pm at The Post at 750 (110 - 750 Hamilton St.). I can’t wait to see you there!
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Join our kick-off party to celebrate Powell Street Festival’s 40th anniversary on May 7th at The Post at 750! The festive highlights include food, drinks, friends and an irresistible array of auction items.
Enjoy a free Kiai Tea Cocktail between 7:30 and 8:30 pm. This specially mixed drink features our empowering signature Kiai! Festival Blend tea by TEALEAVES, a bespoke purveyor of tea.
Tickets are sold on a sliding scale from $25.00 – $60.00 and are available in advance through Eventbrite.
Auction items include donations from Blim, Coconama, Museum of Anthropology, Parallel 49 Brewing, Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver Art Gallery, Glico, Kirei Cleaning, Storm Crow Tavern, Pizza Garden, Blenz Coffee, Mackenzie Room, Asia Pacific Farms, Hide Ebina Ceramic Works, Arts Club Theatre, Cambie Village Massage Therapy, KimPrints Gastown, Eterna Mountain Studios, London Drugs, Kikori: Japanese Antiques, Hapa Izakaya, Vegan Pudding, Stoneboat Vineyards, artist Mary Merideth, and more!
Accessibility Info: 750 Hamilton is not at street level. The easiest way to find it is to get yourself to Hamilton Street between Robson and Georgia. Mid-block, with the Library behind you, you will be looking at a JJ Bean coffee kiosk. To the right of that, you will see a set of concrete steps leading up. Follow those to 750 and dial 110 on the entryphone to be admitted to The Post at 750! People with mobility issues are encouraged to use the elevator in the atrium of the CBC Broadcast Centre at 700 Hamilton Street, then go past the Security desk to the breezeway. 750 will be on your left when you exit the doors at Security.
Call for Volunteers for the Kiai! Party & Silent Auction May 7th at The Post at 750. Volunteers needed for all positions including set up, take down, bartending, and more. Call 604-739-9388 or email admin@powellstreetfestival.com to volunteer!
Powell Street Festival Society is pleased to announce the winner of its design competition! The winning design—“The Koinobori”—is an interactive installation inspired by traditional carp streamers. The design will be unveiled this summer at the 40th annual Powell Street Festival.
The winning project was created by Melody Giang, Emily Huser and Steven Schmidt of BCIT’s Architectural Technology 3 class, along with German exchange students Kai Kattge and Sebastian Saure. The team has been awarded a $1000 prize, a production budget and mentorship from Bing Thom Architects (BTA) and Abaton Projects.
Art and architecture students were challenged to design structures that create space for interaction and respite at the Powell Street Festival. The entrants were asked to consider civic engagement, cultural relevance, environmental sustainability and practical design limitations in their proposals.
“The concept of The Koinobori is inspired by the carp streamers and is designed to unite the festival goers with culture, history and personal stories,” states the design team. “In the traditional Japanese culture, the carp streamers symbolize the wishes of strength and courage for the children.”
Festival attendees have the opportunity to colour or write stories on fabric scales which will then be hung on the structure’s ribbed frame. The structure will provide seating, shade and a gathering place for the community.
The Design Competition for Powell Street Festival is a partnership between PSFS, BTA and Abaton Projects and sponsored by Haebler Group, Heatherbrae Builders, AME Group, Hapa Collaborative and RDH Building Science. The jury included landscape architects Jeff Cutler of space2place design inc. and Kelty McKinnon of PFS Studio, as well as representatives from PSFS, BTA and Abaton Projects. It was unanimous in their selection of “The Koinobori.”
The design is now in development and will be unveiled at the Opening Ceremony of the 40th annual Powell Street Festival at Oppenheimer Park at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2016. Follow @powellstfest on social media and posts tagged #powellstfest #koinobori to see the development process.
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.