Japantown Multicultural Neighbourhood Celebration

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Saturday March 28 2009
CONTINUATION AND PROMISE

What is happening…?
On Saturday March 28 between 10am and 9pm, the Japantown neighbourhood will come to life with historical walking tours centred around Oppenheimer Park; public discussion about the Historical and Cultural Review of Powell Street; portable displays from local organizations and the sharing of stories and histories from many invited guests at Chapel Arts; intimate musical and spoken word performances at various venues; a street procession of artists, children and music; an afternoon ceremony to honour the milestones and initiatives of the community, an early evening gala of multicultural music and dance with local performers, and closing with a special dance performance from a mother and son duo of the Bandou-ryu School of Nihon Buyo at the Japanese Hall.

What will you do…?
Listen to the stories that the neighbourhood has to tell and share your own; join in the street procession; enjoy talented musicians and community choruses; contribute to the development of the community; celebrate the multicultural past, present and future of Vancouver’s Japantown.

Who will you meet…?
Neighbours, visitors, historians, city planners, community activists, artists, performers, diplomats, people who grew up in the neighbourhood, people who live in the neighbourhood, people who work in the neighbourhood.
What will we commemorate…?

The 80th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Japan; the blossoming of the neighbourhood Sakura trees; the Japantown/Oppenheimer Park commemoration; the promise of a vibrant future for the community.

Did you know…?
The Powell Street area or Japantown lies on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish First Nations and is the site of Vancouver’s earliest beginnings. As long as 3,000 years ago, the Coast Salish people had seasonal camps at places they called “Luq’luq’i” and “Q’umq’umal’ay.” Proximity to the sea made the area a hub of major trade routes and a place to meet other people. The area still serves that purpose as it did so many years ago. The ups and downs of the First Nations people and immigrants, most notably the Japanese Canadian community, are reflected in the neighbourhood. The history of the area is in part an important story of survival and overcoming hardships, discrimination and economic disadvantages. The community continues to be ethnically and economically diverse, culturally rich and is home to approximately 150 children. For Japanese Canadians, Japantown is natsukashii—a place of lots of memories, a place that is dear to the heart.

Come to the Japantown Multicultural Neighbourhood Celebration. Produced by Tonari Gumi, the Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall, Vancouver Moving Theatre and the Powell Street Festival Society.

As the Celebration Coordinator I welcome your input, involvement and participation so please contact me, Teresa Vandertuin, at 604.255.9401 or email: thirteenofhearts@hotmail.com. For program details call 604.628.5672 or go to www.vjls-jh.com and click “Upcoming Events.”