2016 Festival Guide PDF (Download)

June 11-18
2016
#BhangraLove
8 DAYS, 2 CITIES, 350+ PERFORMERS
AND TONS OF #BHANGRALOVE!
Visit VIBC.ORG for ticket info and full Festival details
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Photo by Joseph Klymkiw
8 DAYS, 2 CITIES, 350+ PERFORMERS
AND TONS OF #BHANGRALOVE!
VIBC’s City of Bhangra Festival is about breaking barriers and taking risks—and
this year’s lineup does just that. Our festival not only pushes boundaries, but also
offers a kaleidoscope of ways to live and experience bhangra. From burlesque to
the soulful sound of Punjabi folk, we wholeheartedly invite you to share with us the
joy of bhangra.
Visit VIBC.ORG for ticket info and full Festival details
KICKOFF PARTY: CRASH AN INDIAN WEDDING
Presented with Decibel Entertainment
 Sat June 11, 9pm-2am
 Club 560, Vancouver (19+)
 $25/$30 at door
For our kickoff party, VIBC is hosting an EPIC Indian wedding reception and you’re all welcome to
come as our guests! Wrap yourself in a dazzling saree or slip on a kurta, slide into your fanciest
Punjabi jhutti, and pull out the bangles and bindis. With beats by the best wedding DJs in the city,
this is everyone’s party. The kickoff party is meant to get you dancing—for us to collectively feel
the pulse of what the next 8 days will offer. Crash an Indian Wedding is designed to disrupt
conventional ways to party and is open to wedding crashers of all genders, cultures, and
ethnicities. No gifts necessary, but we’ll happily accept a donation to VIBC.
WHERE NOT TO DO BHANGRA
 Sun June 12, 7-10pm
 Rio Theatre, Vancouver (19+)
 $20/$25
In collaboration with South Asian Arts and Gastown Cabaret, VIBC presents an evening of burlesque, bhangra and “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Chicken” sketch comedy. This gender-bending,
genre-skewing, culturally totally inappropriate night is our masalafied concoction of desi sketch
comedy, music, dance, and drag. Join us in the heart of East Van for our very FIRST variety show.
This event is definitely adults only, and definitely not for the faint of heart!
Performers:
• April O’Peel
• Cherry on Top
• DJ Usman
• I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Chicken
• Scarlet Lux
• Socratese
• Sparkle Plenty
• Vixon Von Flex
BHANGRA ON MAIN
Presented with Music on Main
 Tues June 14, 8-9:30pm
 Fox Cabaret, Vancouver (19+)
 $15/$29 (door add $5)
Come join us in an evening featuring the
grandson of the folk legend Lal Chand
Yamla Jatt, the renowned Punjabi musician
and singer Vijay Kumar Yamla. Experience
the intimate side of traditional Punjabi
folk music in this all-acoustic evening
featuring renowned musician and singer
Vijay Kumar Yamla. This concert is not to
be missed. Vijay comes from a lineage of
artists and can mesmerize a crowd with
his soulful voice and musical talents. He
is classically trained in the tabla, dhol, and
dholki, and can play a range of string, wind
and percussion instruments, including the
sapp, chimta, and naal. His talents have
taken him around the world, including India and as far away as Korea, Canada, and
the United Arab Emirates. Don’t miss this
chance to see him onstage in Vancouver,
with narration provided by VIBC’s founder
and former director, Mo Dhaliwal.
BHANGRA: SHE
Presented by TD Bank Group
 Thurs June 16, 5-9pm
 Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey
 FREE
Strong, creative, empowered and empowering: join six fearless young women as they share
their stories of struggle and achievement on the way to success. These artists are activists and
educators, DJs and producers, actors, rappers, and filmmakers, these women are ready to listen
as well as to inspire you on your own creative journey to self-expression. Sign up now for this
workshop to mix with top talent, get the inside scoop on the industry.
Participants: Horsepowar, KayRay, Bianca Maieli, Ms. Mutta, Jasmine Sandlas, and Malinder Tooray.
Hosted by Angelina Rai.
(photo credit: Joe Carlson)
DOWNTOWN BHANGRA
 Fri June 17, 5-10pm & Sat June 18, 4-10pm
 VAG Plaza
 FREE
Don’t miss Vancouver’s BIGGEST backyard party of the year: a two-day open-stage party for the
whole family with nonstop bhangra in the heart of the city. With over 325 local, national, and international superstars, we guarantee to get you dancing. In the past, artists such as Delhi 2 Dublin,
Jas Dhami, Qurat-u-lain Balouch (QB), Shava, and many others have graced the Downtown Bhangra
stage. Join us on Friday and Saturday to see who we have performing the heart of downtown.
Featuring: Horsepowar, Bianca Maieli, Harj Nagra, Inder Kooner, Jasmine Sandlas, Malinder Tooray,
and so many more.
5:00 PM
5:10 PM
5:20 PM
5:30 PM
5:40 PM
5:50 PM
6:00 PM
6:10 PM
6:20 PM
6:30 PM
6:40 PM
7:00 PM
7:40 PM
8:00 PM
8:50 PM
9:00 PM
9:05 PM
9:10 PM
Friday June 17
Opening Remarks
Shan-e Punjab Vancouver
Panj Bhangra Workshop
Shan-e Punjab Vancouver
Shan-e Punjab Vancouver
Vancity Boys
Vancity Girls
Surrey Folk Bhangra Club
Shan-e Punjab Vancouver
Panj Girls
Vancity Bhangra Workshop
Dave Bawa
Malinder + Maeili
Vijay Yamla / Rup Sidhu
KayRay speaks, mention sponsors
Surrey Folk Bhangra Club
Surrey Folk Bhangra Club
Jasmine Sandlas
4:00 PM
4:10 PM
4:20 PM
4:30 PM
4:40 PM
5:00 PM
5:10 PM
5:20 PM
5:30 PM
5:40 PM
5:50 PM
6:00 PM
6:50 PM
7:00 PM
7:10 PM
7:20 PM
7:30 PM
8:00 PM
8:40 AM
8:50 PM
9:00 PM
Saturday June 18
Opening Remarks
Shan-e Punjab Dance (Victoria)
Vancity Girls
United Bhangra Allstars
Panj Girls Workshop
UBC Ladies
Shan-e Punjab Dance (Victoria)
Panj Girls
South Asian Arts
South Asian Arts
Malinder Workshop
Mystery Guests
Surrey India Arts Club (SIAC) Seniors
Shan-e Punjab Vancouver
Vancity Boys
Panj
Malinder and Maeili
Horsepowar
South Asian Arts
KayRay
Harj Nagra with Special Guests: Sanjay
Seran & Inder Kooner
JALOOS
 Fri June 17 10pm
 Fortune Sound Club (19+)
 $12
Celebrate the end of Day 1 of Downtown Bhangra at the funky Fortune Sound Club. Join
Horsepowar, KayRay, Lil India, DJ Maieli, and Malinder Toor for a powerhouse evening of
female musical might.
VIBC’S OFFICIAL AFTERPARTY: BHANGRA HEAVYWEIGHTS
Produced by A-Town and Beats Without Borders
 Sat June 18, 10pm
 Club 560, Vancouver (19+)
 $25/$30
After 8 days of events, let’s end off the City of Bhangra Festival with a BHANG! The city’s most
successful party promoting duo, A-Town and Beats Without Borders, is back with Bhangra Heavyweights. VIBC’s Official after parties are what legends are.
• Performers: DJ KSR, DJ Khanvict
June, 2016
A Message from Premier Christy Clark
A Message from the Mayor
As Premier of the Province of British Columbia, I am pleased to warmly welcome everyone
to the 12th Annual Bhangra Festival.
On behalf of the citizens of Vancouver, I want to extend my best wishes to everyone
attending Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration Society’s 2016 Vancouver
International Bhangra Festival.
Bhangra has humble origins as a style of traditional folk dance and music. Driven by the
rhythmic beat of the dhol drum, it was a way to celebrate art and unite communities. Over
many years, this tradition has evolved to become an exciting event that is enjoyed by people
of all ages and backgrounds.
VIBC has been a tremendous success, introducing this vibrant art form to diverse new
audiences and celebrating the best of local and international talent. After quickly
becoming one of the highlights of the year for our city, the Vancouver International
Bhangra Festival continues to set a global standard for the kind of festival that not only
celebrates performing arts but also builds intercultural bridges across communities.
British Columbia is so fortunate to be a diverse and welcoming province, where people can
share their proud heritage and culture with neighbours, families and friends.
We look forward to many more decades of VIBC’s imaginative and engaging
programming. Congratulations to everyone involved in creating this wonderful festival
and I hope everyone attending has a great time!
I would like to commend the Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration Society for their
hard work to ensure that this Festival is a success.
Yours truly,
Thank you all for coming, and enjoy the experience!
Sincerely,
Gregor Robertson
MAYOR
Christy Clark
Premier
CITY OF S UR RE Y
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
City of Bhangra Festival
June 11th - June 18th, 2016
On behalf of Surrey City Council, it is my distinct pleasure to
welcome everyone to the Vancouver International Bhangra
Celebration’s 2016 City of Bhangra Festival!
LINDA HEPNER
M AYOR
The City of Surrey consists of a wide array of lively, cultural
identities and we pride ourselves on jointly celebrating our
rich cultural diversity as a larger community.
P 604 591 4126
[email protected]
WWW.SURREY.CA
From June 11th to June 18th, we join the South Asian community
in celebrating their unique history through the colourful
traditions associated with the high energy Bhangra dance.
I would like to acknowledge all the staff, volunteers and
supporters of the Vancouver International Bhangra
Celebration organization for their diligent commitment to
preserving and sharing South Asian culture with residents and
visitors alike at this wonderful festival.
I hope everyone enjoys this exciting festival!
Sincerely,
Linda Hepner
Mayor
13 4 50 – 1 0 4 A V E N U E
SURREY
BRITISH COLUMBIA
CANADA
V 3T 1 V 8
Thank You!
TO OUR BOARD, STAFF + VOLUNTEERS
Thanks to all of our VIBC board members, staff, and 150 volunteers providing over
40,000 hours of their time, energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to guarantee the
Festival’s success every year. We appreciate your hard work, and thank you for
being part of VIBC.
City of Bhangra Festival is presented annually by VIBC. Founded in 2004, VIBC is
a not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening our community by
engaging diverse audiences through celebration and the joy of bhangra.
Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration Society
#210–111 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 1H4
vibc.org #BhangraLove  @vibc  vancouverbhangra
Festival events and performers are subject to change without notice.
Apologies to individuals or organizations we may have missed
in the programme.
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