Events
Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival is back with a line-up you don’t want to miss
The Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival (VISAFF) is back for it’s 8th year. This year they are presenting a line-up you don’t want to miss, including the Opening Gala presentation – Mehsampur,a MAMI Mumbai Grand Jury Prize winning film, having it’s North American premier at VISAFF 2018.
Mehsampur is filmed in mockumentary style, and follows a young filmmaker who sets out to make a documentary about deceased Punjabi folk-singer Chamkila, sometimes referred to as the “Elvis of Punjab”. What proceeds is a stylistic exploration of the assassination of Chamkila and also the filmmaking process, creating a sort of meta-movie or a film-within-a-film. Described as outrageous, bold, vigorous, and provocative, Mehsampur blurs the line between art and life.
Closing the festival is Manto – a biographical drama about the daring and controversial famous Urdu author Saadat Hasan Manto, directed by acclaimed actress and director Nandita Das and starring Sacred Games’ Nawazuddin Siddiqui, which has been eagerly awaited by North American audiences. The main narrative follows Manto through the time of India’s Independence in which he experiences several major life events and is interwoven with some of his most famous stories. Incredibly poignant and sincere, Manto illustrates the importance of storytelling.
Since its inception in 2008, the Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival (VISAFF) has been a collaboration between directors, actors, producers, community organizations, corporate brands and South Asian cinephiles. VISAFF provides a platform to share and promote South Asian stories, culture, and perspectives that go unrepresented by mainstream cinema or Bollywood film.
The festival is dedicated to bridging the gap between South Asian talent and mainstream audiences and showcases films from all over the world. In its 8th year, VISAFF continues building on it’s mandate with a lineup that includes 5 Canadian films, as well as films from the US, India, England, Pakistan and Iran. VISAFF will have 40 plus film showings this season, which include a Bengali and Marathi language feature film – Shonar Pahar (The Golden Mountain) and Chumbak, respectively. The festival will also include Motorcycle Girl a feature length Pakistani film inspired by the real life story of motorcyclist Zenith Irfan.
Beyond the films, VISAFF includes a whole host of workshops ranging in topics from acting, production, and casting, with a special ‘Practice Your Pitch’ session from Crazy8. The festival also includes a business-to-business networking event, hosted with the support Surrey Board of Trade (SBOT) and the British Columbia Indian Business Network (BC-IBN) to help community engagement and building amongst industry players in post-production, digital entertainment, and interactive arts.
Aaarzu Magazine is also presenting an industry panel in which 5 outstanding speakers from the film and television industry will share their experience and expertise in fifteen minutes each followed by Q&A’s.
This year, VISAFF is also launching a new youth component – VISAFF YOUth Edition! This new launch is an amateur competition for youth students to submit their own original short films that will be screened at the City of Surrey Centre Stage. In addition to the screening, VISAFF YOUth Edition will include panels, industry talks, practice pitch sessions, and presentations from local industry speakers. The festival runs from November 22-25 and the full festival lineup and schedule can be found at www.visaff.ca
Looking for something to do? You’re in luck! From outdoor movies to a butterfly release, there is so much to do in Surrey this week.
Aug. 6: Movies Under the Stars
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You can head over to Holland Park for a free movie under the stars starting on Aug. 6. The fun starts at 6pm with plenty of games, singers, crafts, draws, and so much more. Be sure to bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair and some yummy snacks to enjoy. The movie schedule is as follows:
Aug. 6: Sing 2
Aug. 13: Encanto
Aug. 20: Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Address: Holland Park, 13428 Old Yale Rd.
Aug. 6-7: Music and Meditation Festival
Need some relaxation? Visit Surrey City Hall on Aug. 6 and 7 for the Music and Meditation Festival. The event starts at noon, and on Aug. 6 there will be “meditative flute music by Edgar Muenala, Indigenous dance by the Wild Moccasin Dancers, meditation workshops with Rani Thompson of Raaga with Rani and multi-instrumentalists The Nair Brothers, activities for children and parents, and much more! On Aug. 7 you can enjoy free outdoor music from members of Sahaja Yoga BC from noon–2pm, and free meditation classes at the Surrey Central Library from 2-4pm.
Address: Surrey City Hall, 13450-104th Ave.
Aug. 6-7: Play Time: Heritage Board Games
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Tired of Monopoly? Learn about the board games that residents in Victorian Surrey would have played. This event is free and the only thing you need to supply is the players.
Address: Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Rd.
Aug. 10: Sounds of Summer: Dalannah Gail Bowen
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Enjoy a free outdoor concert in Holland Park on Aug. 10 from 6:30–8pm. This week’s performance is Dalannah Gail Bowen who is a “76-year-old Afro-Canadian Cherokee singer, songwriter, actress, play writer, storyteller, event producer, social activist, International Memphis Blues Awards semi-finalist (2017) and a Blues Hall of Fame Master Blues Artist (2015).”
Address: Holland Park, 13428 Old Yale Rd.
Aug. 13: Habitat for Humanity 11th Annual Butterfly Release
Watch a live butterfly release at the Fleetwood Villa on Aug. 13 starting at 11:30am. This event is free to watch but you’re also able to purchase a butterfly to release, with all proceeds going towards Habitat for Humanity. Butterflies cost $20 each and include a butterfly cookie. There will also be live entertainment and a barbecue lunch. For more information on how to reserve your butterfly, check the City of Surrey website.
Address: Fleetwood Villa, 16028 83 Ave.
Aug. 13-14: Play Time: Old Fashioned Toys
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You can visit the Historic Stewart Farm to play with the toys that the Stewart children would have enjoyed in the early 1900s. You’ll also be able to play some outdoor games and make your own toy to take home! This free event is a part of the Historic Stewart Farm’s themed summer weekends.
Address: Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Rd.
Looking for something to do? Well, you’re in luck! There is so much to do in Surrey this week.
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Canada Day 2022 is coming up quickly and the City of Surrey has plenty of plans to celebrate. You can check out an Indigenous Village, the Summer Market, or enjoy some live music from artists like Arkells! There will also be plenty of food trucks and amusement park rides to enjoy. You can check out our previous article for a full breakdown of everything happening.
Address: Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre, 176th St and 64th Avenue, Surrey
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From July 1 to 3 you can visit the Historic Stewart Farm to learn how to make your own homemade ice cream like Surrey residents from the 1900s. Not only that, but you’ll be able to take some home.
Address: 13723 Crescent Rd, Surrey
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If you’re 18 or younger and like to skateboard, bike, or scooter, then head over to South Surrey Youth Park on July 5 from 4 to 8 pm for Surrey Rides. There will be free snacks, good jams, and prize giveaways for everyone who attends. Helmets are mandatory and spectators are welcome. Be sure to visit the City of Surrey website for a full schedule of Surrey Rides.
Address: South Surrey Youth Park, 14601 20 Avenue, Surrey
Sounds of Summer: Sons of Granville
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Visit Glades Woodland Garden for a free summer concert with Sons of Granville on July 5. Be sure to bring a picnic blanket or chairs and you’re encouraged to bring a picnic dinner to enjoy. Sons of Granville started as a busking duo back in 2010 and have since gained popularity and brought on more band members. This is definitely a concert you won’t want to miss. Gates open at 5 pm and the concert starts at 6:30 pm.
Address: The Glades Woodland Garden, 457 170 Street, Surrey
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FVDED in the Park returns to Holland Park this year on July 8 and 9. Headlining the iconic Surrey festival are Illenium, Excision, Rick Ross, and Don Toliver. Tickets are on sale now and you can purchase them online.
Address: Holland Park, 13428 Old Yale Road, Surrey
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BC’s biggest Bollywood dance company is coming to the Bell Performing Arts Centre on July 8 at 7:30 pm to perform “spirit of India.” This is a celebration of India’s spirituality, mythology, colourful festivals, weddings, music, dances, Bollywood, and will include over 90 performers! Tickets start at $36 and can be purchased online. Address: Bell Performing Arts Centre, 6250 144th Street, Surrey
SHIAMAK is coming to Surrey on July 8 for the “spirit of India,” a celebration of the 75th year of India’s Independence with music and dance.
The performance will include India’s spirituality, mythology, colourful festivals, flamboyant weddings, magnificent music, exhilarating dances, and, of course, Bollywood — this production manifests the true spirit of India’s multiculturalism.
There will be over 90 different performers who come from all over the Lower Mainland and the performance will include a retelling of the Ramayana, one of the largest ancient epics in world literature.
Not only is this a must-attend event but this will be SHIAMAK’s return to the stage since their last performance in 2019.
You can buy tickets to “spirit of India” online starting at $28. The performance will take place at the Bell Performing Arts Centre on July 8 starting at 7:30 pm.
Address: Bell Performing Arts Centre, 6250 144th Street
Canada Day 2022 is coming up quickly and the City of Surrey has plenty of plans to celebrate. Here are some of the highlights of this year’s celebration.
There will be musical performances for the entire day with Arkells headlining the show. You can also expect performances from Shawnee Kish, Haviah Mighty, En Karma, Teon Gibbs, Ashley Pater, Glisha, Kung Jaadee, Pleasant Trees, and many more! Plus, all of these performances are free so you can enjoy as much music as you want.
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Plenty of local vendors will be making their way to the Canada Day celebration this year, and they’ll be set up in the Summer Market. Some of the vendors include Mysgreen, lil so&so handmades, The Refill Shop, Mountain Mornings, and So Fresh Air Fresheners.
No Canada Day celebration is complete without food, and there will be tons of food trucks available for you to choose from. Whether you’re feeling like some delicious sandwiches from Bread and Cheese, Bannock from the Bannock Queen, vegan delights from the Dirty Vegan, Japanese-inspired hotdogs from Japa Dog, or mini donuts from Mr. Ken’s Donuts, Surrey’s Canada Day will have it all! There will be over 30 different food trucks at the event.
For this year, the City of Surrey is putting a big emphasis on reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. On the Surrey Canada Day Website, the City said “July 1st is a day to chart a new and better path forward. Together, we can work towards reconciliation and a more equitable society for all. We invite you to come together to experience diverse cultural expression, as well as the best of Canada and its hope for the future. Surrey Canada Day is committed to sharing music, education, entertainment, and the cultural practices of many Indigenous and multicultural artists. Event organizers are working with leaders from land-based Nations and an Indigenous consultant in the planning and programming of this event.”
One of the highlights of this year’s celebration is the Indigenous Village with plenty of different sections to check out. The Siam Stage (which means “Respected Ones” in Coast Salish languages) will feature Indigenous cultural sharing, the Residential School Survivor Honouring Ceremony, and contemporary music performances. There will also be a sharing circle where “the public is invited to participate in discussions with Residential School Survivors to learn first-hand about the hardships they lived through while attending the schools. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet the children of the Residential School Survivors, who will share how their lives were impacted by the inter-generational trauma caused by the Residential School system.”
In addition, there will be traditional teachings, doll-making demonstrations, game playing from the Onyota’aka Nation with S^yowah (Son-Yo-Wah), ribbon skirt making, and a community mural painting with Brad Henry.
If you’re looking for some thrills then you’re in luck, there are plenty of amusement park rides available at Surrey’s Canada Day celebration. You can ride on the Ferris wheel, crash into some bumper cars, get turned around in the Zipper, or walk through the Kreepy Kastle. To get on these rides you must buy tickets, with one ticket costing $1.50. You can also buy 20 tickets for $30 or 40 Tickets for $50. There will be 16 different rides to choose from.
The celebrations will end with a fireworks display starting at 10:15 pm that you will not want to miss.
For more information on everything happening for Surrey’s Canada Day, be sure to visit https://www.surrey.ca/canadaday/
Address: Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre, 176th St and 64th Avenue, Surrey
Looking for something to do? Well, you’re in luck! There is so much to do in Surrey this week.
June 10: Seniors Week
Visit the Historic Stewart Farm on June 10 from 11 am to 2 pm for Seniors Week. There will be live music and performers, heritage activities and demonstrations, tours of the 1894 farmhouse, samples of delicious homemade treats, and activities in recognition of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Address: Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Road
June 11: Magical QUIRK-E Tour
QUIRK-E (Queer Imaging and Riting Kollective for Elders) is hosting numerous spoken word and video performances at the Museum of Surrey on June 11 from 2 to 4 pm. There will be cartoons, videos, short films, songs, a scene from a play, stories, and poems. This event is 14+.
Address: Museum of Surrey, 17710 56a Ave
June 11: Car-Free Day
Car-Free Day is coming to Surrey Saturday, June 11. This event will turn 137 street into a car-free paradise with tons of local merchants, musicians, and family-friendly activities like balloon twisting, jugglers, and face painting. There will also be a beer garden (for the grown-ups) and plenty of food trucks.
Address: 7380 King George Blvd
June 16–19: Strawberry Tea on the Farm
If you missed Seniors Week, then you can visit the Historic Stewart Farm from June 16–19 for strawberry tea on the veranda. There will also be ice cream and other treats for you to enjoy. Tickets cost $18.20 and you can register for them online or by calling 604-501-5100.
Address: Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Road
Youth ages 13 to 18 are welcome to attend the Youth Pride Dance, an inclusive and welcoming event to celebrate Pride. There will be dancing (of course), games, snacks, and prizes for the most creative outfits. LGBTQ2S+ and allies can attend this event. Registration for this free event is available online.
Address: Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre, 13458 107A Avenue
June 18: International Picnic Day
Visit Hazelgrove Park for International Picnic Day on June 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Bring a packed meal and your friends and family to enjoy an evening full of fun activities. There will be mini-golf, storytime, different fun park activities, and different vendors from the Cloverdale Farmers Market. This event is free and open to all ages.
Address: Hazelgrove Park 7080 190 Street
June 18: Surrey Fest
This year is the 22nd anniversary of Surrey Fest! Head over to Holland Park from 11 am to 4 pm to enjoy music, prizes, vendors, and more! This event is free but expect it to get busy.
Address: Holland Park, 13428 Old Yale Rd
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