Downtown Vancouver will experience a festival of Indian culture on August 9. Presented by South Asian Family Association, India Live takes place from 12:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the 700 block by Granville Street.
India Live is part of the City of Vancouver and Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association’s Viva Vancouver series, and will highlight cultural activities of the Indian diaspora through music, dance, art, and sport.
A number of local performers will be featured on the main stage, including Yasmina Dance Academy, Neelamjit Quartet, Now or Never Dance Crew, Lapis featuring beat boxer Rup Sidhu and sitarist Mohammed Assani, Vijay’s Brass Band, and South Asian Arts.
The evening will finish with Toronto-based singer Manj Musik, formerly known as the lead vocalist for well known Bhangra group, RDB. Earlier this year, he released his first album under his new moniker. Manj Musik will be joined on-stage by Vinay Virmani, star of upcoming Canadian film, “Dr. Cabbie.” The film, produced by Bollywood actor Salman Khan, is about an Indian immigrant doctor who can’t get a job and becomes a taxi driver.
Outside of the main-stage performances, visitors can get physical with yoga classes by Karma Teachers, Bhangra 101 classes by South Asian Arts, gatka (an Indian martial art) demonstrations by the Guru Nanak Sikh Academy, and more. There will also be henna tattoos, Bollywood makeovers by London Drugs, a fun photo booth, live music from MiB Roadshow, and a small vendor marketplace. Learn more at www.safa.ca.