From concerts and exhibits to talks and workshops, there’s something for everyone who wants to celebrate Asian Heritage Month in Vancouver.
ExplorASIAN, the premier organization for showcasing pan-Asian Canadian arts and culture, has a bevy of events to enjoy during the month of May.
“ExplorASIAN very quickly grew from a handful of Asian Canadian cultural events, scattered through the month of May, to become the organizational medium for maximum exposure of cultural events planned to take place in and around the month of May by affiliated pan-Asian Canadian cultural organizations,” says professor Jan Walls from Simon Fraser University, who teaches in the department of global humanities.
Here are 5 must-attend events that will take you on a journey through the rich cultural heritage of Asia.
Get ready to tap your feet to some toe-tapping beats at the Concert at Gateway Theatre on May 20. This event promises to be a night of unforgettable music, performed by some of the most talented Asian Canadian musicians in the city.
When: May 20, 2023, 7:30 PM
Where: Gateway Theatre in Richmond
Join the event “Words and Borders: Common Threads of Migration and Resilience” on May 14, where Asian Canadian writers will discuss their experiences of migration and resilience, and explore the common threads that unite us all.
This event is part of the LiterASIAN 2023 festival. LiterASIAN is the annual destination for emerging and established writers, academics, instructors, students, editors, booksellers, and publishers.
When: May 14, 2023, 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Where: Centre A: Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art
Ready to put pen to paper? Attend “Memoir and Nonfiction with David Mura” on May 25 and learn the basic techniques and principles of the contemporary memoir—the question of identity and how that leads to the presentation of two protagonists, the narrator in the past and the present narrator David Mura is an award-winning writer and memoirist, and this event promises to be a masterclass in storytelling.
When: May 25, 2023,7 – 8:30 PM
Where: Historic Joy Kogawa House 1450 West 64th Avenue Vancouver, BC V6P 2N4
“Hearts of Freedom” is a must-see exhibit at the Pacific Heritage Museum of Migration that explores the experiences of Hearts of Freedom – Stories of Southeast Asian Refugees is a pop-up exhibition that focuses on the personal histories of refugees from Southeast Asia who came to Canada between 1975 and 1985, and the stories of people who assisted them. It’s a poignant and powerful reminder of the impact of discrimination and racism on the community.
When: May 13 – June 9
Where: UBC Vancouver Campuses
- May 13 – 31: UBC Robson Square (800 Robson St, Vancouver, BC)
- May 13: Passage to Freedom Screening and Panel Discussion
- June 2 – 9: RH Lee Alumni Centre (6163 University Blvd, Vancouver, BC)
Discover the timeless beauty of Japanese flower arrangement, an art form steeped in centuries of tradition. The Vancouver Ikebana Association is bringing two days of captivating demonstrations and hands-on workshops to the Roundhouse Community Arts Centre. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the elegance and grace of Ikebana.
When: May 14 from 11 AM to 4 PM, May 15 from 10 AM to 3 PM
Where: 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
