VANCOUVER: South Asian Arts Society, the nonprofit organization dedicated to creating performance and educational opportunities for professional and amateur artists, has announced the launch of the fifth annual Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts.
Taking place between August 1 – 29, this year’s celebration also marks the first-ever digital edition of the festival.
“South Asians are the largest visible minority group in Canada, yet there are few South Asian professionals currently working in the arts,” said South Asian Arts Society’s Executive Director and Monsoon Festival Producer, Gurpreet Sian.
“In 2016, we initiated the Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts to provide South Asian artists with a platform on which to showcase and amplify their creative work, and collaborate with some of the most accomplished artists in the industry. This year, we’re excited to be expanding our reach across Canada with our first ever digital edition of the festival.”
Running throughout the month of August, the festival will celebrate and support the next generation of South Asian artists, while educating the wider community on the power of South Asian art.
Festival attendees will enjoy Canadian and international dance, music, theatre, comedy, talks, visual art, and a myriad of development workshops and classes, including talks from arts & entertainment pioneers like TV Personality, Founder & President of Stellar Beauty, Monika Deol, and Grammy & Juno award-winning Singer/Songwriter/Musician/Producer, Chin Injet The Monsoon Marketplace will be available to access throughout all of August at monsoonartsfest.ca
This year, The Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts will host an online marketplace to support local artists during this time of uncertainty and loss of work.
On August 1, artists will also be discussing their artistic process, and the art pieces they’ve made available for sale in our marketplace through virtual chats streamed live throughout the day.
Sunday Funday Bollywood/Hip Hop with the Jikaria Sisters Sunday, August 2, 2020 The Jikaria Sisters (Omi, Rish, & Aash) are a sister trio originally from New York City. They are trained dancers, choreographers, and content creators.
The Jikaria Sisters combine their diverse Indian and American identities in their art and content. Monika Deol is a Canadian television personality. She began as an entertainment reporter for Citytv in Toronto, Ontario, and later became a VJ for MuchMusic, hosting and co-producing Electric Circus from 1988 to 1996.