(These are FREE listings. Submit your event at EditorVoice@gmail.com)
Free South Asian Health Forum
In support of seniors, their families and caregivers, UBC’s interCultural Online Health Network is producing Healthy@Home: Living well with Chronic Conditions on Sunday, March 4. This free South Asian health forum will be delivered in Punjabi with simultaneous interpretation in English. This forum will highlight strategies and best practices for managing these chronic conditions at home through nutrition, medication management, stress reduction, exercise, and more. In addition, the forum will feature the opportunity to ask questions to the experts, health exhibitions, resources and community support programs. Open House: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Where: Grand Taj Banquet Hall, 8388 128th Street. Who: Punjabi-speaking seniors, families and caregivers – everyone is welcome. Free to public. Register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/icon-south-asian-health-forum-living-well-with-chronic-conditions-registration-42211406453
By phone at 1-877-357-7611 or Jay Bains at 604-763-6523. For more information, visit www.iconproject.org. Facebook: www.facebook.com/iconproject
Kidney Gala
The Kidney Foundation of Canada – BC & Yukon Branch: 6th annual Kidney Gala – a Hollywood-inspired evening – on Thursday, March 8 (www.kidneygala.com) at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, 900 West Georgia Street. Time: 6:30-10 p.m. (mingling hour: 10-11 p.m.) Tickets (includes gourmet 3-course dinner): $250 per person or a reserved table of 10 for $2,250 (savings of $250). We come together to make a difference in the lives of those living with kidney disease. Our vast selection of silent and live auction items are quite the show stopper, including an amazing all-inclusive live auction package with Ocean House, a new fly-in, luxury, eco-cultural resort located at Stads K’uns GawGa (Peel Inlet) in the remote west coast of Haida Gwaii.
Blood Donation
Canadian Blood Services has issued an urgent call for Canadians to give blood. More than 35,000 donors are needed by spring break to ensure all patients continue to have access to the blood and blood products they need. Visit blood.ca, download our GiveBlood app or call 1-888-2-DONATE and find a nearby donation site. Walk in appointments are also available at all locations.
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 2017 free of cost through the community volunteer program of Canada Revenue Agency from now to April 30 if you are living in Surrey / Delta. The eligibility criteria are: 1. Single individual with annual income limit up to $30,000. 2. Couples with annual income up to $40,000. 3. Three persons’ income $42,500. 4. Four persons income’ $45,000, 5. Five persons’ income $47,500. 6. Add $ 2,500 for additional members. Interest income not over $ 1,000 and this income will be included as total eligibility. With no investment income, no rental income, no business or partnership income and no capital gain or loss. Sin# card and photo identity will be required to prove the documents. If you are eligible, contact Surendra Handa, coordinator, at 604-507-9945 for further information.
UBC Department of Asian Studies
10th Annual Harjit Kaur Sidhu Memorial Program: Celebrating Punjabi language and culture at UBC. From March 2 to 4. * Friday, March 2, 7:30-9 p.m. UBC Asian Centre Auditorium, 1871 West Mall, Vancouver. “Awazzan” (“Voices” 2016): A documentary on the UK-based Punjabi language poet Amarjit Chandan. * Saturday, March 3, 7:30-9:30 p.m. UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Downtown Vancouver. “Anhe Godhe da Daan” (“Alms for a Blind Horse” 2011): A film exploring the experience of marginality in contemporary Punjab. * Sunday, March 4, 4:30-7:45 p.m. Surrey Centre Stage (Surrey City Hall), 3450 104th Avenue, Surrey. Co-organized with the Gursharan Singh Memorial Lecture Committee. “Chauthi Koot” (“The Fourth Direction” 2015): A film portraying individuals and families negotiating a space between separatist and state forces amidst the violence of the 1980s in Punjab, India. Awards for student Punjabi-language essay contest winners and for lifetime achievement to a BC-based Punjabi writer will be presented. https://asia.ubc.ca/events/event/the-2018-harjit-kaur-sidhu-memorial-program/
South Asian Seniors: Group Birthday
Vedic Senior Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian senior members to attend group birthday on Saturday, March 3, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., of 14 senior members born between January 7 and March 3 at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 140th Street, Surrey. There will be refreshments and live entertainment. There will be a cake-cutting ceremony. Special vegetarian lunch will be served along with dessert. Registration required for non-members. Call Surendra Handa, coordinator, at 604-507-9945 for prior registration.
South Asian Film Education Society
The South Asian Film Education Society presents a film screening and discussion of “In Custody” (1993) (‘Muhafiz’). Directed by Ismail Merchant. Starring: Om Puri, Shashi Kapoor, Shabana Azmi and Sushma Seth. Language: Urdu / Hindi. An Indian university teacher (Om Puri) seeks to preserve the last works of an ailing Urdu poet (Shashi Kapoor). Adapted from the novel by Anita Desai. Venue: Room 4955 – SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 West Hastings, Vancouver, on Saturday, March 3, 2-5 p.m.
Surrey: Sanctuary City, Not Detention City
Public Forum on Sunday, March 4, 1-4 p.m., at Surrey Centre Library, Room 120
10350 University Drive, Surrey. Panel: Chelliah Premrajah, Harsha Walia, Mohammad Zaman.
Moderator: Sejal Lal Overture: hospitality in Vancouver: Patricia Gruben with Martin Gotfrit on mandolin. Organized by South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy (SANSAD).
PICS: New Child Care Centre, Cloverdale
Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society is opening a Child Care Centre at 6050 176th Street within Cloverdale Rodeo Grounds premises on March 5. After surveying the community of child care needs in Cloverdale, PICS decided to provide these services to the needy families. All families are encouraged to register their children at the earliest convenience. These children should be between the ages of 3 and 5 years. Fees are very reasonable and may vary according to the children’s care schedule. Call Eva Touzard, Community Connections Coordinator, at 604-596-7722, ext. 138, or Devinder Chattha, Director, Language Studies, Settlement & Social programs at ext. 107 to register your child or for any other information.
MOSAIC: Tax Clinic
Need help to prepare your tax return? Volunteers can help you prepare your income tax and benefit return if you have modest income and a simple tax situation. Must be a permanent resident and filing for 2017 only. Call for more information and eligibility. Registration is required. Language support available. Phone line opens on March 5. Dates: March 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at MOSAIC Head Office, 5575 Boundary Road, Vancouver. Contact: Katherine 604-254-9626
Surrey Board of Trade: Federal Budget Workshop
The Surrey Board of Trade is hosting an interactive workshop with the accounting firm of PwC featuring highlights from the 2018 Federal Budget. Leading tax professionals from PwC will discuss highlights and how these tax measures will impact your business. Date: Wednesday, March 7. Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Program: 8-9 a.m. Q & A: 9:30-10 a.m. Location: Surrey Board of Trade (#101, 14439 104th Avenue, Surrey. Admission (+GST): $45 Members; $55 General Admission. The government has outlined a series of measures to tighten the tax rules for small business owners and professionals who operate as incorporated small businesses. To register, contact the Surrey Board of Trade at 604-581-7130 or at www.businessinsurrey.com
Shakti Film Festival
Through the Shakti Film Festival, we aim to promote and bring an awareness of women filmmakers, including directors, producers, writers, production crew and films that portray women as strong, empowered, and realistic characters. We invite you to join us for the launch of the Shakti Film Festival where we will showcase some clips of empowering films that reflect the values of our film festival. We will have a discussion with local film, media personalities and community leaders about the relevance of this film festival and the role that media plays in shaping society. When: Thursday, March 8, 6:30-9 p.m. Where: Ultimate Banquet Hall, 8072 120th Street. Tickets: $20 (can be purchased via e-transfers or cash.) Includes: Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. For more information or sponsorship enquiries, call Sonia at 604-307-8796 or Alison at 778-896-0294 or email shaktisociety2000@gmail.com
MOSAIC Culture Connection
Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi. Join us for this culture connection activity which takes places every Friday. Connect with other people and learn more about the Canadian culture. This will be conducted in Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi. Fridays, until March 23, 6-8 p.m. at MOSAIC Surrey Office, #200 7134 King George Boulevard. Contact: Attif at 778-591-9334 / aihsan@mosaicbc.org
A Journey Into Islam
Join us on Saturday, March 10, 5:30-10 p.m., for the sixth annual A Journey Into Islam exhibition and open house. A Journey Into Islam is an initiative undertaken by the youth of the Az-Zahraa Islamic Centre, designed to convey the core beliefs and practices of the Islamic faith in an interactive and comprehensible manner. They aim to create a comfortable environment in which guests are welcome to ask questions and engage in dialogue with members of the community. The goal of the event is to showcase our faith through an evening full of interactive exhibits, guided tours of our beautiful Centre, and a tasty ethnic dinner. The exhibits are designed to address various elements of our faith, and to clear misconceptions. The theme of this year’s event is ‘Dialogue in Islam.’ Address: 8580 No. 5 Road, Richmond. Email ajourneyintoislam@az-zahraa.org if you are interested. For more information about the event and what to expect, visit http://ajourneyintoislam.org./
The Dance Centre: Discover Dance!
The Dance Centre’s popular Discover Dance! noon hour series features the classical Indian dance style of Bharata Natyam, with a performance by Mandala Arts and Culture. Thursday, March 15 at 12 noon at Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie Street(at Granville), Vancouver. Tickets $14 / $12 students, seniors and children from Tickets Tonight at 604-684-2787. www.ticketstonight.ca Info: 604-606-6400 www.thedancecentre.ca
The Raga Experience
A sitar presentation of western and Indian classical music by Sharanjeet Singh Mand (sitar) with tabla accompanist Hriday Buddhdev on March 16 at Surrey City Hall, 13450 104th Avenue. This is part of the celebrations leading up to Juno week. The program: Pre-concert Reception: 7 p.m. Seating: 7:50 p.m. Concert: 8-9 p.m. Followed by Q&A till 9:15 p.m. Tickets are $12 and available at Tickets.surrey.ca
Surrey Board of Trade: ICBC & Money Laundering
Join members of the Surrey Board of Trade for a conversation with Attorney General David Eby on Wednesday, March 21 at 7:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel (15269 104th Avenue). Eby will discuss the changes to ICBC and comment on the B.C government’s efforts to crackdown on money laundering in the province. Event: Breakfast with David Eby. Registration: 7:30 a.m. Program: 8- 9:30 a.m. Admission: Members: $50 + GST ; General Admission: $65 + GST.
(For more events, visit the “Events” section of our website at voiceonline.com)