(These are FREE listings. Email: EditorVoice@gmail.com)
Vancouver Folk Music Festival
July 19-20 at Jericho Beach Park, Vancouver. www.thefestival.bc.ca. Twitter: @VanFolkFest. Facebook: facebook.com/VanFolkFest. The full schedule of workshops and concerts at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival are now online on the festival’s website. Included are the 6 Saturday and Sunday daytime stages, and all three evenings of Stage 3 and Main Stage concert performances. There’s also the prospect of seeing a variety of diverse artists perform together in what are called “workshop” sessions – stages that are shared for an hour or so by two or more musicians or bands. In the evening on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Main Stage concert lineups showcase both some of the festival’s most well known and celebrated names, along with some new and exciting faces. For lovers of the smaller stage, Stage 3 and, on Saturday & Sunday, Stage 5 offer some early-evening concerts featuring an exciting and eclectic mix of musical talent. http://thefestival.bc.ca/weekend-schedule/
Fiji Festival
Jai Fiji Television and Bula! Fiji Association of B.C. present Fiji Festival on Saturday, July 19, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Swangard Stadium, corner of Kingsway and Boundary, Burnaby. Free admission. Cultural dances and entertainment. The festival begins with a yagona ceremony which includes various dignitaries. For more information, call Vincent Puran Prakash at 604-434-3920. Email: jaifiji@yahoo.com. www.jaifijitv.com. Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/252526914935620/
Free Rogers Stadium Community Backstage Tour
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the heart of entertainment in our city with a Rogers Arena tour. See where, for over 15 years, Rogers Arena has staged the best entertainment the world has to offer, from concerts to Vancouver Canucks live matches. Space is limited; register early. Priority for newcomers. July 19, 3:30 p.m. Meet at the Canucks Team Store at Gate 6, located at the corner of Abbott Street and Pacific Boulevard. Registration required: Call 604-254-9626 or email: kgeorge@mosaicbc.com
South Asian Seniors: Seva for Devotees
Vedic Seniors Parivar members of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey will do seva (service) for preparing and serving food to all the devotees on July 20, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. in the dining hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 – 140th Street, Surrey. Senior women parivar members will do seva in the kitchen for preparing food and other senior members will do seva by serving food to all devotees of the temple. Call Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945 for duties and further details.
Annual Walk with the Dragon
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation’s major annual fundraising event, Walk with the Dragon, returns to Lumbermen’s Arch in Vancouver on Sunday, July 20, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Walk with the Dragon is held annually to raise funds for essential S.U.C.C.E.S.S. services and programs for the community that receive limited or no government funding, particularly services for seniors, youth, women and families. S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation expects to raise $400,000 this year. Walk with the Dragon is an ideal event for the entire family. In addition to the 7-km panoramic walk along the Stanley Park seawall, Walk 2014 also features multicultural stage entertainment, colorful dragon dance, carnival games, martial arts demonstration, food booths, lucky draws and giveaways. Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development as well as Multiculturalism, Suzanne Anton, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and Gregor Robertson, Vancouver Mayor, are among special guests.
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
People with ongoing health issues may know what they ‘should’ do for better health, but find it difficult to get started – or lose motivation when they run into problems. Richmond Public Library is hosting a free six-week “Chronic Disease Self-Management Program”, offered by the University of Victoria, Centre on Aging, Mondays from now until July 21 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Brighouse (Main) Branch in the 2nd floor Community Place, 7700 Minoru Gate. To register, visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call 604-231-6413 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/events. To see the program evaluation report or for more information on the program go to www.selfmanagementbc.ca
Whitecaps FC Open Practice
Vancouver Whitecaps FC invites you to the 2014 Whitecaps FC Open Practice presented by Sport Chek on Tuesday, July 22 at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Interested participants must register by July 18, while quantities last. Free general admission. This is a great opportunity for fans to watch from the stands, and get an exclusive look at how the pros train. Attendees who bring their ticket will also have chances to win great prizes including Sport Chek gift cards, autographed Whitecaps FC merchandise, and the opportunity to participate in the practice with the team. To register, please visit: www.whitecapsfc.com/openpractice
BC Summer Reading Club
Surrey Libraries invites kids of all ages to join the 2014 BC Summer Reading Club. It’s free. This year’s theme is Funny Business. Every child receives a reading log to keep track of their reading. Kids visit the library regularly to collect special weekly stickers for their reading log, enter contests, and win prizes. Kids that read for 49 days receive an official 2014 medal. Kids can participate in many fun free programs from magic shows, to the one-woman circus act, to a sound-effects performer. As well there are family storytimes, craft programs, book clubs, LEGO clubs, computer and games events, and more. For more information, and to learn about other free library programs, contests and activities for kids, call the Surrey Libraries at 604-598-7445 or visit http://www.surreylibraries.ca/5370.aspx
SikhRi Sikh summer camp
Daily program at this Sikh camp will feature a daily diwan, group activities, sports and fun-filled learning classes. The sessions at the summer camp for Sikh kids will be focusing on gurmat, journey through time; vismad, kirtan, creative arts workshop, gatka, and team building activities that seek to inspire the Sikh values. Other principles of universal significance are also incorporated in the Sikh camp that do not disturb the harmony of the Sikh faith. July 21-25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily at Khalsa School – Newton Campus, Surrey. Theme: Guru Nanak Sahib Ji. Participants: Children ages 5-16. Donations / Costs: $250 or get the Early Bird discount. SikhRi, a non-profit organization, will provide kids with nutritional snacks and meals during the camp hours. To offset the cost of the camp, following donations are suggested: register by June 25: $225 for the first child; $175 / child for additional children in same family. Email: lali.pawa@sikhri.org or call 604-505-0502. This Sikh camp is supported by volunteers who are passionate about Sikhi and Sikh kids. Consider volunteering.
Workshop for First Time Homebuyers
July 23, 2-4 p.m. at MOSAIC Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway. Registration required; Call 604-254-9626, ext. 484.
Battle of the Beats
Battles of the Beats is seeking artists and bands of all types of music to come out and compete. All artists are welcome, from DJ’s to Rock Bands and everything in-between. Battle of the Beats is presented by Beats on the Streets: Surrey’s 10k. There will be prizes for winning bands. Winners will be chosen by our expert panel of judges. This musical competition will be held at Olympia Pizza (10257 King George Boulevard) on July 24 and 25. Each musician will be given a 15-minute set to wow both the crowd and the judges. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and competitors are welcome to bring family and friends. If you are interested in participating or looking for more information, contact at info@surrey10k.com
Surrey Libraries
Youth English Conversation Circle at Guildford Library. If you are an English language learner or have basic or intermediate English skills, join us at the Guildford Library for these fun, weekly sessions to practice speaking English. Thursdays, July 24 – August 28, 4-5:30 p.m., at Guildford Library, 15105 – 105 Avenue, Surrey. For ages 13-18. Drop in (no need to register). Free. Need more information? Call 604-591-4176. www.surreylibraries.ca
Public Forum on Climate Change
Saturday, July 26, 2-5 p.m. at SUR 3280: SFU Surrey Campus, 250-13450 102nd Avenue (across from Surrey Central transit station). Please join us at this important public discourse on climate change impacts and our responsibility for sustainable environment. Panelists: Dr. Harun Rashid (report on the science of climate change), Seth Klein (climate justice), Harsha Walia (climate refugees and refugee rights), Dr. Mohammad Zaman (adapting to climate change), Dr. Summer Pervez and Dr. Chinmoy Banerjee (everyday living for sustainable life). RSVP for registration: Chin Banerjee, cbanerjee@telus.net; Mohammad Zaman, mqzaman.bc@gmail.com
Sidak
Sidak, the Sikh Research Institute’s flagship educational program is coming to Canada for the first time from July 27-August 9 at Miracle Valley Mission, B.C. (14100 Stave Lake Road) at the Khalsa Centre. It is a two-week intensive immersion in Sikh culture, language, values and community though understanding bani (scripture), tvarikh (history), and rahit (discipline). This is an opportunity to have direct access to the tool-kit (for example the linguistic skills necessary to understand Gurbani) and knowledge (Gurbani and seminal texts of Sikh history are studied and discussed) for Sikhi. To register, visit www.sidak.org. Contact either Lali Pawa (604-505-0502 / lali.pawa@SikhRI.org) or Mandeep Singh (314-537-5669 / mandeep.singh@sikhri.org).
YVR Take-off Fridays
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) getting ready to host its 5th summer celebration event YVR Take-Off Fridays at Domestic, International & U.S. Terminals, Departures Level 3. Every Friday from now to August 29, YVR will come alive with fun-filled activities, free entertainment, delicious food samples and deals for travellers and locals alike. Running Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the event features live entertainment by local performers and beats courtesy of the Lower Mainland’s hottest DJs. For the little ones, caricaturists and balloonists will be onsite, complemented by face painting and photos ops with the beloved YVR mascots. Lunch and shopping specials also await visitors. Plus, back for a second consecutive year is the popular YVR Take-Off Fridays’ Paper Airplane Competition, scheduled for Friday, July 11 at 11 a.m. Participants of all ages are invited to vie for the chance to scoop up huge prizes, as they square off to create an airplane that will soar past their competitors. Paper airplane expert Ralph Heldt will coach participants on the aerodynamics of paper airplanes and which folding methods will yield the farthest flights..Enjoy a special YVR Take-Off Fridays parking rate of $5 for up to four hours in YVR’s Parkade, or begin your adventure on the Canada Line and get to the airport in 26 minutes or less.
Introduction to Canadian Citizenship
This free program in Punjabi / Hindi caters to permanent residents who are applying for Canadian Citizenship. An introduction will be provided on topics like Canada’ History, Geography, Government and much more. Participants will learn on how to study “Discover Canada”. Every Thursday from August 7-September 11, 1-2:30 p.m. At South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, 6470 Victoria Drive at 49th) in Vancouver. Free Child minding and refreshments will be provided. For more information and registration, call: 604-324-6212, ext. 134.
Surrey Board of Trade: International Trade Minister
On Thursday, August 7, the Surrey Board of Trade will host Canada’s International Trade Minister Ed Fast at Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel (15269 104 Avenue, Surrey). The Government of Canada has many tools available to support Canadian companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises to explore and do business effectively in new markets. Find out what the Minister is doing to renew the focus on trade promotion and economic diplomacy in the recently released Global Markets Action Plan. He will speak on: 1. How to work with the Private Sector to achieve Canada’s Success in International Markets. 2. How to Unify and Build Canada’s Business Brand in the Global Marketplace. 3. Status on the Free Trade Agreement with Canada’s major trading partners including Korea, India, Japan and the EU. Lunch and Registration – 11:30 a.m.; Program 12-1:30 p.m. Admission for non-media guests: $45 + GST each (member) or $60+ GST each (non-member).
Free Concert for Peace
August 8 at 8 p.m. at the St James Community Square, 10th Avenue and Trutch, Vancouver. Join us in celebrating the music of peace visionary and composer maestro Sri Chinmoy, with a special tribute to the life of legendary flutist Paul Horn. Featuring special performances by: Canada’s own the Pavaka Ensemble; legendary flutist and saxaphonist, Premik Russell Tubbs; Canadian singer, Sara Fretz; Gandharva Loka Orchestra’s Musical Director, Panchajanya Burri; from Ottawa, the soulful Sangit Surabhi; Austria’s reknowned sitarist, Kanala Auer; Juno-nominated composer, Timothy Corlis; Talking Stick Festival and Full Circle Founder, Margo Kane; Dutch composer and pianist, Vapushtara; and guest choral singers. For tickets, call 604-683-7733 or come to Gandharva Loka World Music at 1650 Johnston Street on Granville Island.
Chariot Festival of India
The 41st annual Chariot Festival of India also known as Jagannath Rath Yatra is taking place in Downtown Vancouver on August 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Second Beach, Stanley Park, Vancouver. This colourful and fun-filled cultural parade starts at 11:30 a.m. from Beach Avenue at Howe Street (under the Granville Street Bridge) and travelling along Beach Avenue, culminates at Second Beach at 1 p.m. Features: Entertainment on two stages; music & dance; live theatre; mendi hand tattoos; yoga & meditation; face painting; veggie-cooking demos; clowns & balloon artists; free feasting for 10,000; kids fun tents; market bazaar. All families and friends invited. Free admission. Organizer: ISKCON Vancouver. Information: iskconvan@gmail.com
