The UBC Faculty of Arts and the Departments of Theatre and Film, Asian Studies, and English are co-sponsoring a staged reading at UBC of  Thunderstorm, which was written by one of most renowned contemporary playwrights, Cao Yu. Cao Yu was known as the “Shakespeare of the Orient,” and Thunderstorm remains one of his best known works – a tale of fatalism, retribution, and incest.

No, really. It’s still hard to decide who was the most enjoyable to watch, who gave us the most metaphysical meat to gnaw on. Was it Sabrina Mehra Furminger, who read her submission “Bombay Water” with the cadence and emotion of a seasoned actor? Was it Larissa Lai and the way she spoke of Chinese history, nature, and the city in way that made your own lips move, like you were trying to follow the words, catch them for yourself?  Was it Howie Tsui’s beautiful monsters in blue pen, magnified in glass and projected over his head while he explained the process of his work, and the cover for this issue, Horror Fables? Was it how Tetsuro Shigematsu relived the trauma of a high school fight? Maybe it was The Jaggerbombers and their cover of Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite”?

Dr. Ray Hsu also proved that my two personal most favourite things–irony and musicals–never go out of style. Even as a literary magazine it’s hard to find the words to do it justice. But this is why we have video:

Thanks to Tetsuro Shigematsu for being on the ball with that one. Check out photos on our Facebook page! We also want to extend our thanks to Rhizome Cafe, for providing the flattering golden light and delicious nibbles.

RSVP to this event on our Facebook page!

Buy your tickets in advance on our EventBrite page

When: Saturday May 14, 2011- Sunday, May 15, 2011
Time: Starting at 10:00 AM
Where: Richmond Cultural Centre, 100-7000 Minoru Gate, Richmond, BC, Canada
Cost: Free! Visit the World Poetry site for more information and the festival program.

About World Poetry International Festival: The World Poetry Organization was created by Ariadne Sawyer and Alejandro Mujica-Olea and has been in existence for over 12 years, beginning with the goal to provide a much needed venue where multicultural, multinational poets, writers, and those in other artistic disciplines could perform in English and in their language of origin. The World Poetry Reading Series at the Vancouver Public Library, World Poetry Café Radio Show on CFRO, The World Poetry Electronic Newsletter, World Poetry Publishing, World Poetry Workshop Series, World Poetry Night Out, and the World Poetry Celebration Series are all components of a World Poetry movement based in Vancouver, B.C. Canada.  Recently, World Poetry has included World Poetry International with our first two international committee members: Dr. Hadaa Sendoo in Mongolia and Dr. Rita Malhotra in India. World Poetry’s foundation is built on the great need to provide respect, honor, support, peace and love for all through the arts and education.

Date: April 7-23 2011
Time: Times vary – please check Gateway Theatre for more information
Where: Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond, B.C
Tickets: 604-270-1812 or Gateway Theatre

Witness the extraordinary tale of the Monkey King. Book and lyrics by Marty Chan (with lyrics, music and orchestration by Robert Walsh), The Forbidden Phoenix blends Peking opera, Western musical theatre, comedy, acrobatics and martial arts into a single play. Immigration is central to the show – the story of a father who comes to Canada looking for a better life. The Monkey King, Chinese mythology’s most beloved super hero, must rescue a damsel in distress and tame the Iron Dragon before he can be reunited with his son.

Vancouver:

Japan Love

About Japan Love: The BC Japan Earthquake Relief Fund (BC-JERF) is a coalition of volunteers from the Japanese Canadian community whose purpose is to “vet and act as an organizational hub for BC communities’ fundraising efforts and to facilitate the delivery of this financial aid to the affected people in Japan.” Funds raised through BC-JERF-endorsed campaigns and events will be donated in full to reputable charities operating on the ground in Japan, such as the Japanese Red Cross. Check here for a calendar of fundraising events throughout Vancouver and BC.

*NOTE: This is not a registered charity, if you wish to make a donation and receive a tax receipt, please do so directly to Red Cross.

Contact: Greg Masuda
Executive Committee: BC Japan Earthquake Relief Fund
Telephone: (604) 566-9597
Email: Contact [at] bc-jerf.ca

Vancouver Japan Relief Walk of Hope

Metro Vancouver Photography Workshops has partnered with the Canadian Red Cross to organize a 5.5 k walk from Science World to the Vancouver Public Library. Participants are encouraged to donate to the Red Cross and register for the walk at the website here so that they can have an accurate count of participants. Walkers will be wearing red and white as a symbol of the Canadian and Japanese cultures.

Date: Sunday, April 3rd
Time: 3:00 pm
Where: From Science World (meet at parking lot at 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver) to the Vancouver Public Library (5.5 k)
Info: call 604-628-6990 or email info@vancouverjapanrelief.com

Montreal:

From Chez Yusuke blog:
Cookie Sale for Japanese Earthquake Relief
Culture and Language Connections
Date: Saturday March 19.2011,
Time: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Where: 4260 avenue Girouard, #350, Métro Villa-Maria Montreal
Info: 514-903-8897

Japanese Craft Festival/Festival d’art japonais
Canada-Japan Society of Montreal
Exhibition and demonstration of ikebana, shodo, kimekome, furoshiki, and more.
Date: Sunday, March 20.2011
Time: 2:00pm – 4:30pm
Where: Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre of Montreal 8155, rue Rousselot, Montréal, H2E 1Z7;
(Métro Jarry et autobus 193E)
Info: Midori Pinti, 514-313-9945

Je me souviens Japon 2011: Benefit concert featuring 12 artists and counting.
Date: Wednesday, March 23.2011, 7:00pm-11:00pm
Where: Club Soda, 12245, boul. Saint-Laurent, (Métro Saint-Laurent).
Tickets: 20$ (at the door)
Info : K.Joe Tamko; 514-317-0422

Donation boxes:
Yuki Bakery: 5211 rue Sherbrooke Ouest. 514-482-2435. (Métro Vendôme).
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre of Montreal: 8155 rue Rousselot. 514-728-1996. (Métro Jarry).

Toronto:

The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre has created a special, dedicated disaster relief fund within its Foundation to aid victims of the Tohoku Kanto earthquake in Japan.

JCCC is taking direction for the Japanese consulate in term of how to direct funds. At present funds are going to the Japanese Red Cross through the Canadian Red Cross.

Ottawa:

Japan Relief Charity Event

Date: Sunday, March 27, 2011
Time: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Where: Westin Hotel in the Governor General Ballroom, Ottawa
Info: Tickets are $40 each. All proceeds go directly to Canadian Red Cross Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami fund. Please RSVP to japan.relief@jetaaottawa.ca

The Japan Relief Charity is organised by the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme Alumni Association of Ottawa (JETAA Ottawa) in partnership with the Canada-Japan Society of Ottawa (CJSO) to bring everyone together in effort to help the people in Japan following the massive earthquake.

This event will be hosted by Stefan Keyes, CTV Ottawa’s 6PM news reporter, and the Ambassador of Japan is scheduled to speak at the event.

The event will be held at Westin Hotel in the Governor General Ballroom. ALl proceeds from the event, which includes a silent auction, will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami fund. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Other websites and information on relief efforts:

Red Cross

Doctors without Borders

World Vision Canada

Global Medic

CBC

When:

Be inspired and come join the conversation!

See Gen Why’s inaugural Bring Your Boomers Party. Gen Why pairs Gen Why innovators with Boomer influencers for intergeneration dialogue to discover what we can learn from each other, how we can inspire re-imagination and why it’s important to work together. We’re honored to welcome this amazing collection of speakers:

Boomer Participants:
Ken Lum -Internationally celebrated Multidisciplinary Artist
Nettie Wild – Acclaimed Vancouver Documentary Filmmaker
Kathleen Mahoney -Internationally recognized Human Rights Lawyer and Law Professor

Gen Why Participants:

Nimisha Mukerji – Director of the award-winning documentary 65_RedRoses
Leigh Christie – Engineer, Sculptor, Event Producer and Co-founder of the eatART Foundation
Caleb Behn – Law student and Chair of the Indigenous Circle at the Canadian Environmental Network

The event will also have live music, including Zachary Gray from The Zolas, Slippery Elm from Elekwent Folk; local artists, including Vancouver’s renowned street artist, Indigo; and performance art, including Vancouver’s one and only Spandy Andy!

There will be drinks, free snacks, door prizes, fun surprises and a Do-It-Yourself Gen Why merchandise making station (so bring an old t-shirt!). There will be a Cash bar, free snacks, live music, films screenings, door prizes and DIY screen printing.

BIG THANKS to sponsors: Granville Online, Rabble.ca, VIVO Media Arts Centre, Claire Livia Lassam, Citr 101.9 fm, Discorder Magazine, The Tyee, Lester’s Army, BLIM Arts and Crafts Facility and OCW Magazine.

About Gen Why Media
Gen Why Media is a peer produced, collaborative production group that seeks to characterize the underrepresented zeitgeist of youth culture through events, workshops, public art and media. Read more here.

Date: Thursday, February 24 2011
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Where: Victoria Learning Theatre (Room 182) at Irving K. Barber Learning Centre (UBC) – 1961 East Mall Vancouver, BC
Tickets: To ensure seating, please RSVP in advance 604 827 4366 or via email

Presented by the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre and the Robson Reading Series, catch Evelyn Lau’s Living Under Plastic and Ray Hsu’s Cold Sleep Permanent Afternoon at UBC in Vancouver. Be sure to arrive early to grab a seat or alternatively you can RSVP to ensure seating is available for you.

[booknet booknumber="9780889712447" templatenumber="1"]

According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar, Chinese New Year happens on February 03 2011 and we are falling under the Year of The Rabbit (My sign in case you’re wondering). Celebrate Chinese New in style at various locations across Canada. Below is just a short list of what is going on in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

Toronto:

What: Chi-Ping Dance Group
Date: February 6, 2011
Where: Scarborough Civic Centre Rotunda;150 Borough Drive
Time: 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Price range: Free
Chinese New Year Celebration will be held by Chi-Ping Dance Group and CPDG Cultural Arts Association on Sunday, February 6th, 2011!

The Program includes Lion Dance, Chinese dance, singing and music etc. Games and display. The God of Fortune will give blessing and present Lucky pocket to everyone. It is free and welcome all.
For more information contact:
Phone: 416-624-0440

Montreal:

Société du Jardin de Chine de Montréal
Check out the Chinese at Montreal Botanical Garden
The Society of the Chinese Garden of Montreal is a non-profit organization founded in 1991, which operates in close collaboration with the Chinese Garden towards the realization of it’s many activities. Be sure to check it out for upcoming Chinese New Year Events!

Where: 4101, rue Sherbrooke Est
Info: Check website for more information opening times and hours

Vancouver:

What: Chinese New Year Parade (Chinatown)
Where: starting point at Millenmium Gate
Date: February 06 2011
Time: Noon Sharp

From cbavancouver website: The parade features the largest assembly of traditional lion dance teams in Canada with dozens of colourful and energetic lions from the various local fraternal and martial arts organizations. Other highlights include multicultural dance troupes representing the diverse segments of our Canadian cultural heritage, the Vancouver Police Department Motorcycle Drill Team, marching bands and various community groups.

What: RE NAO Hotand Noisy Affair
Where: Sun-Yat Gardens
Date: February 16 2011
Time: 10am-4pm
Cost: Suggested donation – $5.00

From the website: An event dedicated to delight AND teach you about the traditions of this thousands year old holiday.You can expect children lion parades, arts and crafts, drumming by Drum Syndicate and of course, red envelopes handed out by “gramma and grandpa”.

Looking for something to do this weekend?

How about seeing some amazing artwork or converse with the artist about their medium? Entering its 14th year, the Eastside Culture Crawl is an annual FREE 3-day visual arts phenomenon. This event involves more than 10,000 people visiting artists in their studios in the area bounded by Main Street to Victoria Drive and from First Avenue north to the waterfront of Vancouver, Canada.

The Eastside Culture Crawl Society provides opportunities for the public to engage with member artists through the ongoing creation of events and programming that supports the growth of east side artists.