Inside Vancouver

Vancouver LunarFest 2012 – February 1 – 5

by Dana Lynch in Events on January 23, 2012

Undersea-themed lanterns at CIBC LunarFest Vancouver. Photo: CIBC LunarFest

If you think the Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year festivities end with the annual Vancouver Chinese New Year Parade on January 29, think again. Back for its fourth year, the free CIBC LunarFest Vancouver continues the Lunar New Year celebrations with five days of food, activities, kids’ workshops, theatre, and a phenomenal lantern display from February 1 – 5, 2012.

Created in 2009 to become a Vancouver Winter Olympics Legacy event, LunarFest bills itself as “Canada’s premier presenter of contemporary expression in Asian arts and culture.” Among its many events is the return of the Lantern Aquarium—a fantastic undersea-themed art and lantern installation—to the Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza.

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Vancouver LunarFest 2012 – February 1 – 5

World’s Most Celebrated Flamenco Artist Comes to Vancouver January 21

by Dana Lynch in Entertainment on January 6, 2012

Noche Flamenco's acclaimed Soledad Barrio. Photo: Laura Murray Public Relations

When it comes to authentic, riveting flamenco, it doesn’t get better than the world-renowned Spanish flamenco company Noche Flamenca and their star Soledad Barrio, arguably the world’s most celebrated flamenco artist. The winners of audience adoration, critical praise and multiple dance awards, including the National Dance Project (2006 & 2009), the Lucille Lortel Award for Special Theatrical Experience (2003), and annual awards from the National Endowment for the Arts since 2007, Noche Flamenca garnered a large following in Vancouver after a sold out, standing-room-only engagement during the 2009 Cultural Olympiad.

This month, Noche Flamenca and Soledad Barrio return to Vancouver by popular demand to perform at UBC’s Chan Centre, in partnership with the 2012 PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, for one night only on January 21, 2012.

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World’s Most Celebrated Flamenco Artist Comes to Vancouver January 21

Winter Solstice Lantern Festival – December 21, 2011

by Dana Lynch in Events on December 15, 2011

Winter Solstice Lantern Festival at Vancouver's Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Photo: Secret Lantern Society

Among the many holiday celebrations happening in Vancouver this December, there is one event that stands out from the rest: the 18th annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival on December 21, 2011.

Rooted in the primal celebration of nature’s rhythms, rather than any specific religion, the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival commemorates the longest night of the year—the winter solstice—and honours the return of the sun with lantern processions, drumming, music, and fire.

Organized by the Secret Lantern Society, this free festival takes place on the same day—December 21—in five different Vancouver neighbourhoods: Commercial Drive, Yaletown, Granville Island, S.E. False Creek, and Chinatown.

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Winter Solstice Lantern Festival – December 21, 2011

Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival 2011

by Dana Lynch in Events on September 10, 2011

Stilt-walkers make "fire circles" at the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival. Photo: Still Moon Arts Society

One of Vancouver’s most unique multicultural festivals happens next Saturday, September 17: the 9th annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival.

Taking place in East Vancouver, the free Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival honours diverse cultural traditions—including the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival—with a celebration of harvest abundance, renewal and environmental stewardship. Lanterns for the festival are made by family and friends in the community, and the choice of Renfrew Ravine as the venue further symbolizes community spirit and renewal: the Ravine, today a lovely nature park, was once a garbage pit, transformed through the loving care of the neighbouring community.

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Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival 2011

TaiwanFest 2011 & Vancouver’s First-Ever Street Banquet

by Dana Lynch in Events on August 23, 2011

Vancouver TaiwanFest. Photo: TaiwanFest.ca

The 2011 TELUS TaiwanFest returns to Vancouver Labour Day weekend with loads of free fun for the whole family.

A cultural celebration of all things Taiwanese, TaiwanFest aims to burst stereotypes by showcasing the rich diversity in both modern and traditional Taiwanese music, dance, film, food, and arts. This year’s festival includes fusion concerts, Techno Prince dance, Taiwanese Aboriginal artisans, inspiring documentaries, fabulous culinary shows, games for all ages, Chef Hung’s “best beef noodle on earth,” and Vancouver’s first-ever street banquet in honour of Vancouver’s 125th birthday.

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TaiwanFest 2011 & Vancouver’s First-Ever Street Banquet

Vancouver LunarFest 2012 – February 1 – 5

World’s Most Celebrated Flamenco Artist Comes to Vancouver January 21

Winter Solstice Lantern Festival – December 21, 2011

Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival 2011

TaiwanFest 2011 & Vancouver’s First-Ever Street Banquet

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