B.C. EVENTS

 

 

(These are FREE listings. Email: EditorVoice@gmail.com)

 

 

Anti-gang Event for Youth and Parents

 

Moe Bhatha, and Scott Magri, author of “Lessons: Crime, Games and Pain,” share their insight and journey into and out of the world of gangs to inform parents and empower youth to see the red flags. Both have often provided insight on the violence and exit strategies of gang life, having a broad scope of knowledge derived from firsthand experience. The public is invited to this free event on Monday, May 19 from 12 to 3 p.m.at Fraserview Banquet Hall. 8240 Fraser Street, Vancouver. The event will also include a gang prevention video by Lindsey Houghton of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – BC (CFSEU-BC).  This will be followed by a question and answer period which will be moderated by Indira Prahst, sociologist, Langara College, and lead researcher in the Acting Together SSHR- CURA project on youth, alienation and gangs.

 

Anthology in English of South Asian Writers

 

South Asian Literary Society of Canada is exploring the possibility of publishing an anthology  of selected original poems of South Asian writers in English translation. For this, a meeting is being held on May 17, 1-4 p.m., at Studio 7, 15437 Fraser Highway in Surrey.  All writers are welcome. For further information, call Acharya Dwivedi at 604-507-3099 or M. Rafiq at 604-596-7781.

 

Quran Memorization Competition

 

Muslim Association of Canada is holding the 12th Annual BC Quran Memorization Competition: * Preliminaries: Saturday, May 17 * Finals: Saturday, May 24. At MAC Masjid & Community Centre at 2122 Kingsway, Vancouver. The competition is open to participants of all ages, males and females, from all parts of the province. Participants may register for both memorization and recitation. Sponsors needed for the Quran Competition Awards – call 604-434-7526 or email: mac.centre.vancouver@gmail.com. Registration deadline: May 10 at 11:59 p.m. Information and registration: quran.islamicinfocenter.org.

 

Annual Show of Gujarati Seniors

 

The annual cultural program for all ages is on Sunday, May 18 at 3 p.m. at Michael J Fox Theatre, 7373 MacPherson Avenue, Burnaby. Tickets: $20. Light refreshment (1-2:30 p.m.). Tickets: Contact Sarojben Desai at 604-523-9360 and Rameshbhai Gandhi at 604-294-0360.

 

Remembering Sri Lanka’s War Victims

 

To remember the people who perished in the war in Sri Lanka in May 2009. Show your solidarity and raise your consciousness on behalf of the suffering people at candlelight vigil on Sunday, May 18 in front of Vancouver Art Gallery at 5:30 p.m.

 

Surrey International Children’s Festival

 

The Surrey International Children’s Festival is celebrating their 10th Anniversary. Festival dates: May 22-24. Thursday / Friday: 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday: 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at Surrey Art’s Centre box office. The Arts Centre Box Office can be contacted at 604-501-5566.

 

Komagata Maru Centennial

 

Welcome Gala and Stamp Release: 100th Remembrance Anniversary of Komagata Maru on May 23 at Musqueam Community Centre, 6777 Salish Drive, Vancouver.Cocktails at 6 p.m. Welcome festivities start at 7 p.m. For ticket information, contact: H. Gill at 604-763-1736. komagatamaru@hotmail.com.

 

South Asian Mental Health Community Forum

 

Saturday, May 24 at 9 a.m. to Sunday, May 25 at 3:15 p.m. at Princess Margaret Secondary, 12870 72 Avenue, Surrey. Doors open at 9 a.m. Featuring: Workshops on wellness: – Meditation and Mindfulness – Yoga – Myths & Medication – Counselling & Therapy – Nutrition & Exercise. Presentations on the most prevalent mental illnesses: – Depression & Bipolar Disorder – Anxiety Disorder – Substance Use / Addiction / Alcoholism – ADHD and more. Resources and information in English, Punjabi, Hindi & Urdu. Free event, open to the whole family. Lunch and refreshments provided.

 

Indo Caribbean Arrival Day Dinner & Dance

 

The Indo Caribbean Canadian Cultural Society of British Columbia holds a celebration of Indian culture in the Caribbean on Saturday, May 24 at 6 p.m. at Canadian Auto Workers Hall, 707 – 12th Street, New Westminster. Tickets: $16 per person. Children under five years: Free. Children from 6 to 12 years: $8. Authentic and delicious Indo Caribbean food; dancing; music and songs; and special guest speakers; 50/50 draw / door prizes / open dance floor after dinner – dance to DJ music  after dinner. For tickets and information, contact: James Prasad at 604-278-1704 / 604-644-3751, Annette Bacchus:  604-529-9079, Ram Ramsaroop:  604-581 -590 / 604-722-5892, Sheila Omaid:  604-438-9158, Hari Singh:  604-731-4354 / 604-790-0920,          Shama Ramnarine:  604-936-3194, Molly Sharma: 604-434-3807.

 

Sonu Nigam Concert: Klose To My Soul

 

Sonu Nigam performs at Vancouver’s PNE Coliseum on Saturday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m. organized by KVP Entertainers & Kamal’s Video Palace. Singing classics from Mohammad Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, Hemant Kumar, Talat and ghazal legends like Jagjit Singh and Mehdi Hassan, Sonu promises an unforgettable experience of 3.5 hours. Tickets at $35, $45, $55, $65, $75 & $100 can be purchased from Kamal’s Video Palace at (604) 592-9777 or (604) 833-1977 or bought online at www.ticketleader.

 

World Partnership Walk

 

Sunday, May 25 at 10 a.m. at Lumbermen’s Arch, Stanley Park, Vancouver. The World Partnership Walk is Canada’s largest annual event dedicated to raising funds and increasing awareness to fight global poverty. It is a family and dog-friendly event with an easy 5 km walk, live multicultural entertainment, fun activities, kids world, great food and lots more.

Registration is free. Get involved at www.worldpartnershipwalk.com. Participants can follow the Walk on Twitter at @WPWVancouver and #WPWalk and on Facebook at facebook.com/wpwalk. Initiative of Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network.

 

Book Launch

 

“Personal Storytelling – Discover the Extraordinary in the Ordinary.” At Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (SFU Woodwards Campus), 149 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, on May 27. Doors open 5:30 p.m. Event runs 6:30-8:30 p.m., followed by a reception. Tickets: $20 – Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/here-2-there-tickets-7147587627. Sam Thiara has written and published a book about personal storytelling and the individual journey. What does a book about personal storytelling and a documentary about an expedition deep into the Himalayas of Nepal have anything to do with each other?  It is the journey about two individuals who embraced and took their dreams from here to there and how each discovered the extraordinary in the ordinary.

 

The Dance Centre

 

Presents Discover Dance! Flamenco Rosario + Mandala Arts and Culture on Thursday, May 29 at 12 noon at Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie Street (at Granville), Vancouver. Tickets $12 / $10 students, seniors and children from Tickets Tonight at 604-684-2787 www.ticketstonight.ca Info: 604-606-6400. www.thedancecentre.ca. Presented as part of explorASIAN – Vancouver Asian Heritage Month. www.mandalarts.ca. www.flamencorosario.org

 

Pandit Jasraj School of Music Foundation

 

Presents the Gundecha Brothers, India’s leading performers of the ancient classical style of Dhrupad, the oldest and most serene form of Indian classical music, on Saturday May 31 at 7 p.m. at Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre, Douglas College, New Westminster. General Admission: $28. Free underground parking. Tickets: PJSOM Office: 14 East Broadway 604- 879-8319; Kamal’s Video (Surrey): 604- 592-9777; Zubeida Rattansi (North Vancouver): 604-988-1708. Contact us by Email: alohia@telus.net or sujata@shaw.ca. Stay updated on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pjsomf

 

Doors Open Richmond 2014

 

The seventh annual Doors Open offers Richmond residents and visitors exclusive access to numerous arts, culture and heritage sites in the city free of cost on Saturday, June 7 & Sunday, June 8 at over 40 sites in Richmond, with an opening celebration on Friday evening, June 6 at 7 p.m. Places of interest include religious and spiritual temples, artist studios, civic facilities and more. Many of the sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days and visitors are highly encouraged to check the brochures and the website to confirm the hours of each site. During the weekend, the themes of nature, faith, family and history are explored through four bus trips that will visit various Doors Open sites. Seats are $5 per person and buses will leave at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. from the Richmond Cultural Centre (7700 Minoru Gate). As space is limited to 20 people per bus trip, those interested are recommended to register at 604-276-4300 or www.richmond.ca/register before Sunday, June 1. Use the following program numbers for tour registration: Nature: #643308, Faith: #643208, Family: #643258 and History: #643358. Doors Open map brochures are available at City facilities, including pools, arenas, community centres, and heritage sites, Richmond Nature Park, Richmond Cultural Centre and Richmond City Hall. A PDF map and complete listing of participating sites can also be downloaded at www.richmond.ca/doorsopen.

 

Subsidized Housing Workshop

 

Free workshop at South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, 6470 Victoria Drive, Vancouver. Contents: Affordable housing or rent supplement for low income families, seniors, or persons with disabilities. Rental Assistance Program. Who is eligible to apply? How to apply. On June 10 (Tuesday), 1-2:30 p.m. in English and Punjabi. Bus tickets (for eligible clients only), free child minding and refreshment will be provided at the workshop. Bring your PR card number with you. For more information and registration, call: 604-324-6212 ext. 134.

 

Special: BC Victims of Homicide

 

Are you living with the traumatic loss of a loved one? Are you in need of support? The BC Victims of Homicide, an initiative of the BC Bereavement Helpline, is hosting an eight week traumatic loss grief support group for the South Asian community in Surrey in partnership with Valley View Funeral Home. When: Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., from now until June 25. Cost: Free – but registration is required. Space is limited. Languages: Punjabi, Hindi and English. Facilitators: Jas Cheema and Manjeet Singh. To register or for more information, contact Jas Cheema by phone at 604-561-2700 or by email at: jascheema@shaw.ca. Please refer this group to your network or to anyone who may benefit from it.

 

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

 

Richmond Public Library will be hosting the six-week program “Chronic Disease Self-Management” in English on Mondays from now until June 16 from 1-3:30 p.m. The program will take place 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. This workshop is designed for people with one or more chronic conditions. It will teach you to better manage your health, discover useful tips to maintain an active lifestyle, and communicate effectively with your health care team. Family members and friends can also attend.

 

7th Uganda Medical Mission

 

Indo-Africa Charitable Society (Canada). Venue: Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited – Lugazi: medical, dental & eye camp from August 4-15 to provide primary examinations and treatments to needy Ugandans. Donation: US$650 (non-refundable) or equivalent in other currencies per person. Register by May 31 by contacting Vasant Lakhaniv(H) (604) 987-1925, vasantlakhani@gmail.comwww.indoafricacharity.com,www.vasantlakhani.com. All participants arrive by August 3 committed fully till the end of the mission.

 

Canada India Education Council

 

Presents “The Business of Education” dinner event at Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver, on Friday, June 6, 5-9 p.m. Learn about BC’s new education quality assurance standards (EQA) and examine the confluence of ‘business’ with education.  How do we measure ‘ROI’? BC is committed to increasing international students by 50% by 2016. Interesting in attending / sponsoring?  To view the agenda / speaker profiles, visit: http://canadaindiaeducation.com/bc/