Summer 2008Volume 14 Number 2

w w w . p o w e l l s t r e e t f e s t i v a l . c o m e m a i l : k r i s t e n @ d k a m . c a

POWELL STREET FESTIVAL 2008By General Manager Kristen Lambertson

This year is full of changes and surprises. Certainly it’s a big year for me as I plunge into the Festival as the new Gen-eral Manager and Programming Director. And with incoming Communications Manager Sabrina Mehra, ProductionCoordinator Naomi Horii, and Volunteer Coordinator Irene Bao, PSFS staffhas had a major turnover. However, with Miko Hoff-man’s guidance and the assistance of the Festival’s incredible board and volun-teer support team, the 32nd annual Festival will be as exciting as ever. One of this year’s big surprises is that we’re back in OPPENHEIMER PARK! After Miko and this past year’s crew of volunteers and staff worked tirelessly to get the word out that we’d be temporar-ily moving, we are happy to announce that for 2008 the Festival is staying put! This definitely bodes well for every-body at Festival. Not only do we get to enjoy returning to our annual digs, but it means that the new staff all get to experi-ence the full effect of being back on PSF’s stomping grounds in the heart of Japantown. Miko and the programming team have put together a stel-lar program. In tune with this year’s theme, Sensu, or “style,” design has been a dominant thread through the program-ming. In addition to several visual art exhibitions leading up to the Festival, PSFS is hosting the exhibition Commercial na Art! Ocean Fresh at the Helen Pitt Gallery. Aya Takada, the Artistic Director of Birdo flugas gallery in Shiogama, Japan, curated works by 5 Japanese artists who explore the intersec-tion between commercial and fine art in Japan.

Off-site, the Festival is also hosting the newly commis-sioned piece by Kokoro Dance on top of Sunrise Market. At the Firehall Theatre, performances include readings of new haiku poetry commissioned from some of PSF’s favou-rite literary artists, a video screening of animation shorts by Japanese Canadians, and a double bill concert by Mia Doi

Todd and Shugo Tokumaru. On the Festival grounds, some other not-to-be-missed performances include excerpts from Dress me up in your love by Vancouver-based Theatre Replacement, music by Coracao Boemio, a dance performance by Nelson-based Hiromoto Ida/Ichigo-Ichieh Dance, and the musical collaboration between Total Constructive Interference (taiko) and no luck club (electronics), as well as much, much more!

But with all the changes and the exciting new perfor-mances, the Festival will also include all the old favourites, including martial arts demonstrations, the kids’ Suika Wari, or watermelon game, an array of hand-made crafts, local community information booths, and of course the ever-popu-lar food booths, serving up traditional Japanese fare. One final exciting change that I am happy to announce is the Festival’s inauguration of the Zero Waste Challenge. In an attempt to reduce its environmental impact, the Festival is implementing a composting and recycling plan. All food utensils and dishes sold on site will be made of compostable materials. We encourage all Festival attendees to join in on the program, and ensure that they recycle and compost as much of their waste as possible at this year’s Festival. Help spread the word about the Festival’s great line-up and the fact that we’re back at Oppenheimer Park, and we’ll see you there!

SOCIETY NEWS

NEWSWe’re staying put at Oppenheimer Park! With the City of Vancouver under major construction, Oppenheimer Park was scheduled for a massive renewal project during the 32nd installment of the Powell Street Festival. Plans were under way to temporarily relocate, but with construction postponed, the 2008 Powell Street Festival will remain in the heart of historic Japantown in Oppen-heimer Park. Help spread the word!

EVENTSOur 2008 season kicked off May 3 with MERGE, an exhibition of contemporary glass and ceramic art by Frozen-Melt Collective: Naoko Takenouchi, Miyuki Shinkai, and HiDe Ebina. The artists re-imagined the issues of identity that

arise from the merging of cultures: East and West, old and new, philosophy and technology. MERGE was co-produced by the Powell Street Festival Society, explorASIAN and Numen Gallery.

On June 6, Lucky’s Gallery was packed with art lovers eager to catch their first glimpse of Tiny Lines for Smaller Move-ments, an exhibition curated by Lynd-say Sung highlighting the smaller, qui-eter movements in handmade designs and artwork. Local contemporary artists Madoka Hara, Rafael Tsuchida, Yuriko Iga, Kathy Shimizu, Lynda Nakashima, Cindy Mochizuki, Tonari Gumi se-niors, and Toronto-based artist Maiko Tanaka presented new works, including works on or utilizing/integrating paper, small illustration works, do-it-yourself

designed birthday cards and celebrity fan-art. The show runs until July 3, so you have a few days left to check it out!

FUNDRAISERJoin us at Hapa Izakaya’s new Kitsilano location on July 6 for An Evening of Sake and Savouries, a delicious fund-raiser for the Powell Street Festival Society! Enjoy a sampling of 5 different kinds of sake (courtesy of Blue Note Wine and Spirits Inc.) and scrump-tious food pairings from the Hapa Izakaya kitchen. Tickets are $45 for members and $50 for non-members and are available by advance purchase only. For tickets, email kristen@dkam.ca or call 604 683 8240. Sunday, July 6, 5:00-6:30 pm. 1516 Yew Street, Vancouver.

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A FOND (NOT QUITE) FAREWELLBy Miko Hoffman

As many of you know, I will be leaving my position with the Powell Street Festival

Society at the end of June. After almost nine festivals on staff, I’ve decided it’s time for me

to move on, professionally; however, I plan to remain involved as a core volunteer, so you won’t be

rid of me that easily! During my time with PSFS, I have learned the true mean-ing of community spirit and the value of community-building. I have met some extraordinary artists and seen some fantastic shows. I have also made lifelong friends. I would like to thank all of the artists, volunteers, staff, community members and community partners for making my time here so rewarding. Special thanks go to the dedicated board members and core volunteers who have offered endless support and advice. It has been an honour, and my pleasure, working with all of you. I will keep this goodbye short because if I continue to blab on about how much I love the Festival and everyone associ-ated with it, I might talk myself out of leaving! And that would be absolutely pointless because PSF already has an amazing new GM/Programming Director, Kristen Lambertson, who I hope you will all welcome with open arms. I know I am leav-ing PSF in extremely capable hands with Kristen at the helm! See you all at the Festival!

FESTIVAL EVENTS

SPATIAL POETICS VIIHunt & Gather Gallery, Nouvelle Nouvelle, and Gastown locationsOpening: July 12th, 2008Spatial Poetics VII is an interdisciplinary event that celebrates collaboration and in-novation in the use of text, visuals, music, and performance by an eclectic mix of Asian Canadian artists. Curated by Miko Hoffman and featuring the work of Nata-lie Purschwitz & Kimberley Cooper, Vanessa Kwan & Diyan Achjadi and Madoka Hara & Lee Hutzulak. COMMERCIAL NA ART! OCEAN FRESHHelen Pitt Gallery102-148 Alexander StreetAugust 1st-15th, 2008Commercial na Art! Ocean Fresh explores Japanese mass culture and commercial-ism through the works of five emerging Japanese artists using photography, illustra-tion, video, sculpture, painting, and comics. Curated by Aya Takada, the Artistic Director of Birdo flugas project and birdo space in Shiogama, Japan, the exhibition features works by video artist Chikara Matsumoto, photographer Itaru Hirama, visual artist Yusuke Gunji, comic book artist Erika Kobayashi, and rock art illustra-tor Toru Morooka.

SHUGO TOKUMARU & MIA DOI TODD IN CONCERTFirehall Arts Centre280 East Cordova StreetAugust 2nd, 2008, 8:00 pmAdmission: $15 / $10 (students/seniors)Special guests Shugo Tokumaru from Japan and Mia Doi Todd from Los Angeles perform an intimate and awe-inspiring evening concert at the Firehall Arts Centre featuring stellar vocals and unique instrumentations. Tickets at the door.

PSF BASEBALL GAMEOppenheimer Park

August 4th, 11:00 amCome take part in a fun slow-pitch ballgame—a tribute to the Asahi at Op-

penheimer Park in the team’s home “Powell Street Grounds.” Fans and friends are welcome!

Festival Weekend

Taiko extravaganza featuring several Vancouver-based taiko groups and Jodaiko, featuring Tiffany Tam-aribuchi from California * Martial arts demonstrations * New work by Kokoro Dance commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Japanese Canadian redress * Dress me up in your love, an intimate theatrical experience by Theatre Replacement * Dance performances by Hiromoto Ida/Ichigo Ichieh dance (Nelson) and mask and mime artist Yayoi Hirano * Launch of pH6,a collec-tion of haiku-inflected poetry by six Asian Canadian writers * Jazz by Yuji Nakajima’s Coracao Boemio * Historical Walking Tours of the Powell Street area * Animated shorts by Japanese Canadian filmmakers

H I G H L I G H T S

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photo: Aki M

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Jodaikophoto: A

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Katari Taiko

photo: John Greenaw

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Volunteers are needed for the 32nd annual Powell Street Festi-val! There are hundreds of spots

waiting to be filled before, during, and after the festival (including year-round and ongoing positions), so

sign up now! If you would like to get involved, please contact this year’s Volunteer Coordinator Irene Bao at 604 739 9388 or psfvol-unteering@gmail.com. We couldn’t do it without you!

Call For VolunteerstAs

im

2007 l 2008

Board of DirectorsPresident John Yamazaki

Vice-President Hitomi Nunotanitreasurer Angus MacLean

secretary Catherine Newsteaddirectors

Nina Inaoka Lee, Kamara Kroeker, Alia Nakashima, Darren Okabe

Programming CommitteeMiko Hoffman

Yuriko IgaJim Inkster

Boon Kondo Kristen Lambertson, Chair

Alia NakashimaDarren Okabe Kathy ShimizuMichael SpeierLyndsay Sung

Advocacy CommitteeMiko Hoffman

Nina Inaoka Lee, Co-chairKristen Lambertson

Peter LiAngus MacLean

Chisaki Muraki-Valdovinos, Co-chairRika Uto

John YamazakiAndrew Yan

Relocation CommitteeMiko Hoffman

Nina Inaoka LeeMasa Ito

Kamara KroekerPeter Li

Angus MacLeanRika Moorhouse

Jon Nakane, ChairJay O’keefe

Michael OuchiCat Renay

Kathy ShimizuGweny Wong

StaffGeneral ManaGer (incoMinG)

Kristen LambertsonGeneral ManaGer (outGoinG)

Miko HoffmancoMMunications ManaGer

Sabrina MehraProduction coordinator

Naomi HoriiVolunteer coordinator

Irene Bao

FESTIVAL EVENTS

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contact Kristen at kristen@dkam.ca or call the Festival office at 604 739 9388.

For more information,

All photos on this page by Aki Mimoto. (Top) Yugo rapper (Right) Matsuri odori (Bottom) Volunteers hard at work during festival take down.

Full festival schedule online soon at www.powellstreetfestival.com!

IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE POWELL STREET FESTIVAL

Jodaiko ConcertFriday, August 8, 7:30 pmSaturday, August 9, 2:00 pmThe RoundhouseTickets are $15-20 sliding scalePSFS and Pride in Art co-sponsor a taiko performance by Jodaiko at the Roundhouse. Tickets available from July 10 at Little Sisters, Rhizome Café and Full Bloom and as of July 24 at the Pride in Art Festival. For more information check www.tttaiko.com/jodaiko soon.

Tanabata (Star) Festival Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall487 Alexander Street (at Jackson) Saturday, July 5, 10:30 am-1 pmDo you know the story of star-crossed lovers Princess Ori-hime and Prince Hikoboshi who meet every July 7th on the Milky Way? Come and hear this romantic tale and enjoy a family event with performances, delicious food, and chil-dren’s crafts. You’ll also have the opportunity to make your wishes come true in the traditional practice of writing them on tanzaku (pieces of paper) and hang-ing them on bamboo. Bring your family and friends and don your yukatas for this popular summer fes-tival! Free admission. Call 604 254 2551 for more information.

8th Chinatown Arts & Cultural FestivalDr. Sun Yat Sen Park Courtyard578 Carrall StSaturdays in July starting July 5Art and culture enrich the heart of historic Chinatown! Enjoy four colourful and diverse cultural showcases on July 5 (Asia Day – co-programmed by PSFS!), 12 (Africa Day), 19 (Drums Around the World), and 26 (Traditions of Old Russia). This festival enhances Chinatown’s role as the host of arts and cultural events in the City, promotes the diversity of art forms, and strengthens neighborhood collaborations. www.vancouverchinesegarden.com

Hataken (Tokyo), Gunshae (Vancouver), Connect_icut (Vancouver)Blim197 east 17th AvenueFriday, July 11, 8 pm $7The Konspiracy Group with support from PSFS presents “a little night music” for your summertime listening pleasure. In anticipation of this year’s Powell Street Festival, we open a cross cultural dialogue between Vancouver and Tokyo. Join us for an evening of electro acoustic collaboration with Pacific Rim ambienteers, Hataken (Tokyo), Gunshae (Vancou-ver), and Connect_icut (Vancouver).

Storigami/Origami Time WorkshopNational Nikkei Heritage Centre 6688 Southoaks Crescent, BurnabySaturday, July 19, 1-2 pmCome and learn to create origami pieces step-by-step and

through STORIGAMI, a form of storytelling that uses paper folding. Featuring origami storyteller Yukiko Tosa and origami artist Lisa David, members of PALM (Paperfolders Around the Lower Mainland). For families ages 6 to adult. Free. Pre-reg-istration is advised. Email museum@nikkeiplace.org or call 604.777.7000 ext.109. Presented by the Japanese Canadian

National Museum and Pangea Arts.

Origami: The State of ArtNational Nikkei Heritage

Centre 6688 Southoaks Crescent, BurnabySaturday, July 19, 3 pmOrigami artist Joseph Wu discusses the recent de-

velopment of origami from children’s pastime into fine

art. Examples of modern ori-gami art will be shown. For adults

and teens. Free event! Presented by the Japanese Canadian National Museum and Pangea Arts.

No Borders, No Limits: 1960s Nikkatsu Action CinemaPacific Cinémathèque 1131 Howe StreetJuly 31-August 4Nikkatsu akushon! No Borders, No Limits: 1960s Nikkatsu Action Cinema is a series that will give Vancouver audiences their first exposure to an often artistic, always entertaining subgenre of Japanese cinema. Nikkatsu action films evoked a cinematic world neither foreign nor Japanese. It was a mix of the two -- where Japanese tough guys had the swagger, moves, and even the long legs of Hollywood movie heroes. It was a place where the Tokyo streets, Yokohama docks, and Hokkaido hills took on an exciting, exotic aura, as though they were stand-ins for Manhattan, Marseilles, or the Ameri-can West. www.cinematheque.bc.ca

20TH Annual Vancouver Queer Film FestivalAugust 14-24Vancouver’s second largest film festival brings film lovers and filmmakers together to celebrate the best in independent queer cinema. Flirt, chat and get a little wild at the hottest parties, galas and cinematic spectacles this side of the Pa-cific. PSFS is proud to be a sponsor of Love My Life. For more information, visit www.queerfilmfestival.ca.

COMMUNITY EVENTS by Festival Partners

Po w e l l S t r e e t Fe s t i v a l S o c i e t y 4 7 5 A l e x a n d e r S t r e e t Va n c o u v e r, B C V 6 A 1 C 6 t e l : 6 0 4 . 7 3 9 . 9 3 8 8 f a x : 6 0 4 . 7 3 9 . 9 3 0 8

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2008 DONORS:(from January, in alphabetical order)

Grace Arai l Midge Ayukawa l Maiko Behr l Sara Davis Buechner & Kayoko Segawa l Nobu & Ken Ellis l Randy Enomoto l Mickey Hayashi l Mitsuo & Emmie Hayashi l Nishikawa-Ryu Dance Group l Jim & June Nishihara l July Ono l Kimiko Oseki l John Philip & Reiko Richardson l Kumi Sutcliffe l Marlene Yuen

The Powell Street Festival gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Department of Canadian Heritage, Human Resources Development Canada Canada Summer Jobs Program, the Province of British Columbia through Direct Access to Charitable Gaming and the BC Arts Council, the City of Vancouver through the Office of Cultural Af-fairs, National Association of Japanese Canadians, The Koerner Foundation, The Hamber Foundation, Sunrise Soya Foods, the Strathcona Business Improvement Association, CTV, The Georgia Straight, and the Bulletin Magazine.

S u p p o r t t h e 3 2 n d Po w e l l S t r e e t F e s t i v a l !Powell Street Festival Membership and Donation Form

Enclosed is a cheque payable to Powell Street Festival Society for . . . . . . . . $

Please note that we keep the information you submit to us on file for the purpose of maintaining our relationship with you and sending you information you may be interested in in the future (advance notice of shows and community events, invitations to special events, etc.). The Powell Street Festival Society does not share, sell or trade mailing lists, and treats the information you provide us with as private. If you no longer wish to receive information from us, please contact us at 604 683 8240 or kristen@dkam.ca.

We appreciate your support!Please Check all that apply:

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QUANTITY TOTALLife-time Memberships $12 each x $Matsuri CD $18 each x $Donation (tax deductible) $ Please note: unless you specify that you wish to remain anonymous, we will acknowledge you in our newsletters.

newsletter design: B

arb Yamazaki