2014 Signature Programs A View Within a View: Garden expressions, exchanges & explorations,  UBC Library’s Irving K. Barber Learning Centre (May 1 to May 31, 2014)

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden presents the ‘China Maple Hall,’ symbolizing the union between China and Canada, showcasing China’s cultural legacy employing philosophical principles of Feng shui and Taoism, striving to achieve harmony and a balance of opposites. http://vancouverchinesegarden.com

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 The Life of Rostam. Persia’s Great Hero, from the Shahnameh (Book of Kings) West Vancouver Community Centre, 2121 Marine Drive (May 2 – 4, 2014)

Epic Storytelling-triumph and Tragedy, valiant heroes, courageous heroines, magical birds, dangerous demons, star-crossed lovers and much more as 30 epic storytellers present the Life of the Persian Hero Rostram in English with some Farsi to introduce the young and young at heart to one piece of Persian culture. http://www.sonic.net/~cfair/epic.html

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“REED: The Life and Works of Roy Kiyooka”, Tonari Gumi 101-42 W.8th Ave, Vancouver, BC (May 2, 2014, 7.00PM)

Screening of REED: Roy Kiyooka, Japanese-Canadian multimedia artistwas a seminal force in the New York School of Painting. REED follows the life of a brilliantly creative and often spontaneously unpredictable man whose work continues to reverberate powerfully in our times. Panel of Fumiko Kiyooka, Roy Miki, and Henry Tsang will discuss Roy’s legacy. Tickets 604-687-2172

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Official Opening, explorASIAN 2014 Festival and Generation One, International Village Mall, International Arts Gallery 88 Pender Street West, Vancouver (May 3, 2.00PM)

Part One:  May 3-15 – “So This Is Canada” exhibition of works of first generation Pan-Asian immigrant artists.  www.explorasian.org Part Two: May 17-31 opening 2 pm, May 17-31 – “Vancouver” by photographer/artist Water Poon Apart from using traditional Chinese rice paper, brush and ink as medium of painting, Water Poon made a bold attempt to use acrylic paint to depict the scenery and beauty of Vancouver.  www.iagbc.ca, Tel: 604-569-1886

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First Families, First Stories: Research workshops: exporASIAN’s First Families, First Stories History project initiated by the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society to begin the process of giving voice to pioneering families of Asian Heritage and to share the story of their arrival and settlement in Canada.

Part One: History Research Workshop, Vancouver Public Library May 7 and 14th, 6:30-8 pm  Central Branch  (free)The workshop will help you learn to use search engines, access Ancestry Library Edition, Family Search, the VPL catalogue, as well as various Special Collections resources

Part Two: Writing a Historical Narrative, UBC Learning Exchange, May 10th, 1- 4 pm (fee $25) Asian Canadian Heritage –for  those who are interested in researching their family and community’s history.   Facilitator: May Yan-Mountain who published “Research Guide to Chinese Genealogy”.

Part Three: May 10,  2 – 4 pm An Asian North American Primer – All you need to know but never bothered to ask , UBC Learning Exchange, 610 Main Street, Vancouver

Do you know that the first South Asian Personset foot on North American soil in 1648 and that South Asians were kept as slaves on American plantations?  Historian Jim Wong-Chu will amaze you with little known facts about your early Asian ancestors.  $20 per person.  www.explorasian.org

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Sound of Dragon Music Festival – (May 9-11)

“Chinese music” with twenty concerts: ancient to contemporary music, jazz and world fusion, and avant-garde improvisation in Vancouver’s first Chinese music festival. Free activities include workshops, a multi-media installation, video screening, and hands-on demonstration of traditional instruments. Roundhouse, Vancouver, Sound of Dragon Society ticket info: www.lantungmusic.com

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Pioneers, Mavericks and Game Changers, (May 10, 2.00-4.00PM)

World Poetry celebrates innovative Asian Canadian writers and poets who avoid being pigeonholed by their ethnicity to embrace a broader vision of what it means to be Asian Canadian. Britannia Cultural Centre, 1661 Napier Street Ice Rink. http://www.worldpoetry.ca 604-526-4729.

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David Suzuki, “The Global Eco-crisis: Diversity, Resilience and Adaptability”, 2014 Milton K. Wong MulticulturalismLecture, Chan Centre (May 14, 7.00-9.00PM)

In such uncertain times, we must look to biology to find a strategy for survival and the key is diversity. Laurier Institution, UBC Continuing Studies http://cstudies.ubc.ca/public-lectures/milton-k-wong-lecture.html or 604-822-1444

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Boikalik – An Afternoon of Bengali Poetry , Richmond Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, (May 17, 1:30 & 4:30)

An anthology of Bengali poetry presented in a culturally entertaining way, with singing, instrumental music, dance or expressive acting. English translation of presentations with social interaction and discussion over refreshments. Vancouver Tagore Society https://www.facebook.com/events/277560012413015/

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100th anniversary of the Komagata Maru Episode at the Museum of Vancouver (May 21-22)

May 21 opening of Unmoored: Vancouver’s Voyage of the Komagata Maru. Racial discrimination, intercultural dialogue and political revolution come together to ensure the Komagata Maru is still mapped today onto the streets and landscapes of Vancouver.

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Cartographies of Empire: Canada and the Komagata Maru at the Museum of Vancouver (May 22, 6:30-8:00pm)

Documentary filmmaker Ali Kazimi and scholar Dr. Renisa Mawani present dialogue and conversation on the living legacies of the Komagata Maru Episode and Vancouver’s unique role in the Komagata Maru story.  For information on other events: www.komagatamaru100.com | www.museumofvancouver.ca 604.736.4431

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explorASIAN 2014 Book launches

Part One: Fauji Banta Singh and other stories by Sadhu Binning Reading at the Vancouver Public Library, Central branch (May 22, 7-8:30) –Riveting stories from the heart of the Vancouver Sikh experience. Unique and powerful, brutally honest yet compassionate.  http://www.tsarbooks.com/TSAR_FaujiBantaSingh.htm

Part Two: Readings with Tom Cho, Kevin Chong, Doretta Lau and Nancy Lee, Pulpfiction Books, 2422 Main Street, Vancouver  (May 30, 6:30-9pm), 604-876-4311  www.explorasian.org

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Kate Bowie, World Premiere at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts Studio Theatre, Burnaby (May 28 – 31, 8 pm)  

Maiko Bae Yamamoto, James Long and renowned Canadian playwright Greg MacArthur (Snowman, Recovery, The Toxic Bus Incident) on the secret Kate Bush and David Bowie collaboration, two of the twentieth century’s most fascinating iconic artists, to take a deep look at what we gain and give up to work with someone else. http://theatrereplacement.org

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Discover Dance! at the Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St, Vancouver (May 29, 12.00PM noon)

Flamenco Rosario and Mandala Arts and Culture join forces to present a program of bharata natyam classical Indian dance and flamenco.  www.thedancecentre.ca 604.606.6412

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Indonesian Traditional Textiles: A Diversity of Expressions, Exhibition May 30, 10AM-8pm, Talk & Demonstration 2-6pm, at the Central Branch Vancouver Public Library

Indonesian textile traditions will showcase the profound connection of rich traditions and what it means to be Canadians with Indonesian origins. Curated by prominent textile anthropologist, Ms. Judi Knight-Achjadi.  Talk and Demonstration A team of Batik Fractal from Indonesia will present and demonstrate the creation of batik patterns using fractal formula on jBatik Software www.omnitaenterprise.com

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explorASIAN Recognition Awards Gala Dinner (June 1, 5:30) 

Leaders in the Filipino-Canadian community will be honoured with Community Builders Awards, Pink Pearl Restaurant, 1132 Hastings St. Vancouver, Ticket info, please find here.

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***explorASIAN is not just a month-long festival in the Asian Heritage Month of May. It goes beyond May to create opportunities for intercultural learningand collaboration throughout the year.  Check our website frequently to find out how to explore the Asian-Canadian community, history and cultural landscape in Metro Vancouver***