(These are FREE listings. Email: EditorVoice@gmail.com)
Theatre for Social Change in Surrey
Theatre for Social Change: Samuel John Performs Jooth and Kirti on Saturday, March 14 at 2 p.m. at Centre Stage, New City Hall, 13450 – 104 Avenue, Surrey. Tickets: free. Reservation necessary: tickets must be picked up by 1.40 p.m. on March 14. For reservation, email Parvinder at: parvinderdhariwal@hotmail.com. Samuel John has worked in three Punjabi films – Mitti, Aatoo Khoji and Anneh Ghore Da Daan (Alms for a Blind Horse) – but prefers to use his theatre for social change rather than commerce. His main concerns are caste discrimination and suicide of indebted farmers. Jooth, based on the life of dalit writer, Om Parkash Balmiki, depicts the realities of dalits’ existence in caste-ridden India. Kirti deals with the daily lives of small farmers of Punjab. Presented by Hari Sharma Foundation and supported by Dept. of Asian Studies at UBC, Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS), and Rangmanch Punjabi Theatre. For info, contact: Sukhwant Hundal at 604-644-2470, Sadhu Binning at 604-437-9014 or Makhan Tut at 604-771-2503.
South Asian Seniors: Breast Cancer & Cervical Cancer in Women
Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian adults / senior members as well as non-members to attend a presentation – Breast Cancer & Cervical Cancer in Women – by Saroj Ludhera, Community Outreach Coordinator with Canadian Cancer Society on March 15, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., at Shanti Niketan hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 140th Street, Surrey. There will be a question-and-answer session. Tea and light snacks will be served. Call Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945 for further information.
Surrey Libraries: Author Event
Meet Gerard LaSalle on Tuesday, March 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Newton Library. Register at 604-598-7406. LaSalle is an MD, CMO, award-winning filmmaker, teacher, and story-teller.
Fiji Business Opportunities Session in Surrey
Thursday, March 19 at Northview Golf & Country Club – 6857-168 Street, Surrey. Registration and lunch: 12-12:30 p.m. Program: 12:30-1:15 p.m. Admission: There is no cost to attend. The Fijian Consulate from Los Angeles is inviting interested businesses, wanting to do business in Fiji, for a special lunch, as their guest. This session is hosted in partnership with the Surrey Board of Trade. What will attendees learn? 1. The economic climate in Fiji. 2. Industries that are prevalent in the country. 3. Services / products that are needed in Fiji. One of the goals will be to determine if a Fiji Trade Mission (business and tourism-oriented) would be of interest to potential participants. Questions will be answered on what participants need to do to bring their Canadian business successfully into the Fijian market. To register, contact the Surrey Board of Trade at 604-581-7130 or at info@businessinsurrey.com
US Ambassador in B.C.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Canada (AmCham) will host the U.S. ambassador to Canada, Bruce Heyman, at a business breakfast event in Vancouver on Thursday, March 19, 7 to 9 a.m., at Hyatt Regency Hotel, 655 Burrard Street. Heyman will be speaking on advancing shared Canadian and U.S. priorities. This event will be moderated by Global National’s Weekend Anchor Robin Gill. Limited tickets are available:
International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Multicultural communities are invited to join Asian Pulse TV and Kidsplay to commemorate “The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination” to collectively work towards the elimination of all forms of racism and inequalities. This event is free and will be hosted at Kwantlen Polytechnic University on Saturday, March 21, 12-3 p.m. Come to listen, learn and join in the dialogue on personal and institutional racism, and solutions. The event will open with Aboriginal greeting by Alana Anderson, a free lunch, followed by a panel with a question and answer period. Topics covered will include, racism in Canada and current geopolitical climates, media representations and terrorist labels, Islamaphobia, neo-Nazi movements, and personal narratives. Some of the panelist’s include Tony McAleer, Executive Director of Life After Hate, a former organizer for the White Aryan Resistance (WAR), served as a skinhead recruiter, proprietor of Canadian Liberty Net, Indira Prahst, Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Langara and human rights activist, Charan Gill, founder of PICS and community activist, Jodi Derkson with FAST, and Sadia Sameeullah, outspoken activist and speaker within the Muslim community. For information call Kamilla Singh at (604) 537-5123.
8th Annual Community March Against Racism
Saturday, March 21. Starts at 1 p.m. at Clark Park (Commercial Drive and 14th). The International Day for the Elimination of Racism marks the anniversary of the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa when police opened fire on hundreds of South Africans protesting against Apartheid’s passbook laws, killing 67 and wounding 186. Family-friendly festivities with speakers and performers. Bring your neighbours, banners and drums. Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/601744243292857/ Web: https://noii-van.resist.ca/?p=6246 For more information email noii-van@resist.ca
Zakir Hussain’s Celtic Connections
Chan Centre presents Zakir Hussain’s Celtic Connection on Saturday, March 21 at 8 p.m. at Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC, 6265 Crescent Road, Vancouver. Ticket prices: from $36. Box Office: 604-822-2697 / chancentre.com. In person at the Chan Centre ticket office: open Tuesday-Saturday, 12-5 p.m. Website: chancentre.com.
Mega Interfaith Conference
“Our Whole Society” is organizing an interfaith mega conference at UBC, Robson Square, in association with Laurier Institution from March 22-24. A wide range of scholars, spiritual leaders and media experts have been invited to reflect on theme “Bridging the Religious-Secular Divide.” For more information, go to the site: www.ourwholesociety.ca or contact chair of the conference Geoffrey Cameron whose email is: geoffrey.cameron@bcc.cbc.org
All Star Wrestling: March Madness
Saturday, March 28 at Cloverdale Fairgrounds – Alice McKay Building, 6050 A 176 Street, Surrey. Doors open at 7 p.m. Bell at 8 p.m. Website: www.allstar-wrestling.com Phone: 604-710-0872. Tickets available at * Central City Comix, 10221 King George Highway, Surrey (604-584-2664) * Comic Scene, Evergreen Mall, 8912 152nd Street, Surrey (604-582-2877) or online.
$20 Front Row and $15 General Admission.
MOSAIC: Free Multilingual Tax Clinics
For low income individuals and families filing basic 2014 tax returns. Service languages include: English, Cantonese, Farsi, Hindi, Hungarian, Japanese, Malay, Mandarin and Spanish. By appointment only. Visit www.mosaicbc.com/settlement-services for more information. Burnaby (Permanent Residents only): 778-3215406. Vancouver (Permanent Residents, Naturalized Citizens and Work Permit Holders): 604-254-9626.
PICS Society: Volunteer Income Tax Clinic
Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society is establishing PICS Income Tax Clinic this year from the now to April in partnership with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Clinic Program of Canada Revenue Agency. This program will engage PICS volunteers who have been trained by Canada Revenue Agency to help community members who have low incomes to electronically file their income tax returns. To be eligible to avail this free service, your income must be as follows: * Single Person: $30,000 or less * Single parent with child: $35,000 or less * Each additional child: $ 2,500 * Couples: $40,000 or less * Investment income under: $ 1,000 * You have a simple tax return (no self-employment, no bankruptcy, no forms for deceased, no capital gains/losses and no rental income). * You must attend in person. Income Tax Clinics will be located at the following locations: * PICS Head Office, #205—12725—80 Avenue, Surrey. * PICS White Rock Office, #206—1461 Johnston Road, White Rock * PICS Vancouver Office, #200—8153 Main Street, Vancouver. For more details, contact: Deshpal Grewal (deshpal.grewal@pics.bc.ca) or Manjinder Thandi (manjinder.thandi@pics.bc.ca) Phone: 604-596-7722.
South Asian Seniors: Filing Income Tax Returns Free
Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey informs South Asian seniors that during the tax filing period we can help you to file your income tax returns for the year 2014 free of cost, through the community volunteer Program of Canada Revenue Agency from now to April 20 if you are living in Surrey / Delta. The eligibility criteria are as follows: 1. Single individual with annual income limit up to $30,000. 2. Couples with annual income up to $40,000. 3. Adult with one child annual income up to $35,000, add the income limit by $2,500 for each dependent child. Interest income not over $ 1,000 and this income will be included as total eligibility. With no investment income, no rental income and no partnership income, sin# card and photo identity will be required as proof. If you are eligible, contact Surendra Handa, Coordinator, at 604-507-9945 for further information.
Terry Fox Training Run
On Saturday, April 4, residents of British Columbia’s Tri-Cities and the surrounding communities will have the opportunity to do just that while raising funds for cancer research. They will take runners along the same 10 mile (16 kilometre) route he took through the streets of Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam and Port Moody. The event takes place at Westwood Elementary School in Port Coquitlam with registration beginning at 6:30 a.m. The run will start at 7:30 a.m. The opening ceremony, which includes the unveiling of the permanent route signs, will begin at 9:45 a.m. The community walk will begin at 10 a.m. Visit www.terryfoxtrainingrun.com to register for the run or walk. There is no fee to participate in this event and donations are greatly appreciated. Registration will also be accepted on the morning of the run. Shirts to commemorate the event are also available on the website and at the event for $35.
Shakti Society
The 13th annual Shakti Awards will take place on Friday, April 10 at the Aria Banquet Hall in Surrey. To purchase tickets, sponsor or donate, become a vender or volunteer, contact Sonia at 604-307-8796, Iti at 604-831-7728 or Sandhya at 778-788-6936. All funds raised will be donated to Shakti: Empowerment of Women, Children and Families Society. http://www.shaktisociety.com
Minerva Foundation for BC Women
Seeking applicants for the next installment of Women Leading the Way – a distinctive, interactive, part-time leadership training program for women who want to have an impact in business, government and community. The deadline for applications is June 1. Women interested in learning more about Women Leading the Way can call (604) 683-7635, ext. 228, or email wlw@theminervafoundation.com. More information and an application package are online at https://theminervafoundation.com/lead/leadership-development/women-leading-the-way