EAST ASIAN

Paul Chan installation
Ongoing til Sat Dec 8
New York-based multi-media artist Paul Chan will present his works Gift into Line and 2nd Light in Canada for the first time. Chan’s works explore the themes of religion and utopian thought. Western Front (303 E 8th Ave). Info: 604-878-7563.

Quilting at the garden
Ongoing til Thu Dec 20 1pm
Learn how to make a community quilt out of natural materials, with Dr Sun Yat-Sen artist-in-residence Sharon Kallis. Free admission. Work produced at the workshops will be put on display at the Winter Solstice lantern festival on Fri Dec 21. Info: www.vancouverchinesegarden.com or 604-662-3207.

Huxian painting exhibition
Until Mon Dec 21
A group of Chinese artists dubbed “The Huxian painters” detailed the life and work of Chinese labourers before the Cultural Revolution.  Nanaimo Art Gallery (900 5th St., Nanaimo). Info: www.nanaimogallery.ca or 250-740-6350.

Adults’ karaoke club
Ongoing, every Mon & Thu 1-3pm. Exercise your vocal chords and the diva inside with English karaoke on Mon and Chinese karaoke on Thu. Bring your own karaoke discs if you have any. Renfrew Park Community Ctr (2929 E 22nd Ave). Info: 604-257-8390.

Tokyo anime fair
Ongoing
Call for exhibitors. The Canadian embassy in Tokyo invites Canadian companies interested in exploring the Japanese and Asian markets to take part in the Tokyo International Anime Fair, March 27-30, 2008. Info & reg: www.tokyoanime.jp/en.

First Friday forum
Fri Dec 7 7.30pm
Musician Harry Aoki and friends play music from around the world, interweaving the pieces with stories about culture and identity.
Refreshments served. Entry by donation. Nikkei Place (Kingsway & Sperling, Bby).
Info: Harry at 604-266-0154.

Breakfast with Santa
Sat Dec 8 9.30am
Kids can chow down on pancakes, sausages, fruit and a drink as they await Santa’s arrival with his big bag of goodies. Entertainment provided. Registration required.
Tix $5 (adults)/$4 (kids 2-12). Kids under 2yrs are free. Nikkei Place (Kingsway & Sperling). Info & reg:
604-777-7000.

Craft mafia
Sat Dec 8 12noon-6pm
The first ever Vancouver Craft Mafia holiday craft sale, featuring HGTV’s She’s Crafty host Wendy Russell and other fun and quirky designers. Blim Gallery (197 E 17th Ave). Info: Yuriko at 604-872-8180.

Photo exhibition tour
Sat Dec 8 2pm
Join Shashin curator Grace Eiko Thomson, as she walks guests through an exhibition of photo portraits spanning 50 years by Japanese Canadian studio photographers. The National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre, a multi-use facility at 6688 Southoaks Cres, Burnaby.
Info: 604-777-7000.

Live public art event

Sat Dec 8 3-10pm
Governor-General award winner Paul Wong will light up the streets and buildings at Hastings and Carrall with his “EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY” projection art installation. Intersection of Hastings and Carrall. Info: www.lightupthestreet.ca.

KnitWit
Mon Dec 10 8-11pm
Always want to learn how to knit? Expert knitters Amy Sky and Mandy Moore will be on hand to start you off. Bring your own yarn. Tix $5. Blim Gallery (197 E 17th Ave). Info & RSVP: Yuriko at 604-872-8180.

Holiday art bazaar
Ongoing until Sat Dec 24
Head down to UBC and browse the selection of world handicrafts on sale, including fans from Fiji and the Cook Islands, masks from Nepal, alpaca teddy bears, Rajasthani toys, Korean celadon ceramics, and lots more. Museum of Anthropology (UBC, 6393 NW Marine Dr). Info 604-822-5087.

Rice as art
Ongoing until Sat Jan 1, 2008
Canada’s first ever exhibit dedicated to rice! Rice is Life explores rice’s significance in societies from all over the globe through history, cultivation, culture, religion, ritual, science and modern day challenges of sustainability. Vancouver Museum (1100 Chestnut St, Vanier Park). Info: www.vanmuseum.bc.ca or 604-736-4431.

Festival of trees
Ongoing until Wed Jan 2, 2008. The Festival of Trees features a display of 59 one-of-a-kind lavishly decorated trees. Vote for your favourite by way of a donation to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Four Seasons Hotel (791 W Georgia St). Info: 604-689-9333 or www.bcchf.ca.

Assaulted Fish comedy
Thu Dec 5 8.30pm
The hilarious Assaulted Fish, Canada’s premier sketch
comedy troupe, headlines an evening of yuks with The

Skinny. Free snacks before the show. Doors open 7.30pm. Tix $8. The Media Club (695 Cambie St). Info: www.myspace.com/thefifthwallcomedy.

Workshop against gender violence
Thu Dec 6
In conjunction with “16 Days of Action Against Violence” (Nov 25 – Dec 10), the Law Courts Education Society will hold a workshop on “Resources and Information on Family             Violence: Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish and French Communities” Vancouver Provincial Courthouse (800 Hornby St). Info: 604-660-2919.

Worldwide Christmas
Sat Dec 8, 2007 7.30pm
The award-winning Vancouver Children’s Choir explores the holiday season and traditions in music from around the world. Choir members will be dressed in their cultural costumes and the audience is invited to do so as well. Tix $20/15/5. Christ Church Cathedral (690 Burrard St). Info: 604-682-6363.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Bach’s Handel
Sat Dec 15 8pm
Sun Dec 16 2.30pm
The Sat concert is Messiah on a grand scale, with four international soloists, the Vancouver Bach Choir and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. On Sunday, join in on the choruses with The Sing Along Messiah, featuring 15 emerging soloists.
The Orpheum Theatre (Smithe at Seymour).
Info: 604-665-3050.

Legends tribute
Sun Dec 23 7pm
Kal Ki Yaadein: a Tribute to Legends vocal concert. Tix $45-15. Massey Theatre (735 8th Ave, New West). Info & tix: 604-592-9777.

Saregamapa
Sun Dec 23 7.30pm
The Saregamapa Challenge 2007 tour hits town, featuring performances by all the young contestants of the vocal talent search. Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Hamilton at Georgia). Info: 604-543-9000.

SOUTH ASIAN

PICS Toastmasters Club
Ongoing every Thu
7.30-9.30pm
Sharpen your communication and public speaking skills with the PICS (Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society) Toastmasters Club. PICS Surrey (#109-12414 82nd Ave, Surrey). Info: Call Barry at 604-596-7722 ext 246.

SAFA arts youth nights
Ongoing every Fri 7-9pm
The South Asian Family Association’s Arts Youth Nights are for kids and teens between seven and 16. Programs are geared to promoting South Asian culture, a positive image of South Asian youth and achieving cultural harmony. Moberly Arts & Cultural Ctr 7642 Prince Albert St (1 block East of Fraser at 60th) VancouV5X 3Z4. Info: www.safa.ca.
DTES Smudge 2007
Thu Dec 6 10.30am
Participants will be asked to separate into four race groups – yellow, black, red and white – and head to different quadrants of the Downtown Eastside where Aboriginal elders and spiritual leaders will lead them in a smudging ceremony to commemorate National Day of Remembrance and Action for Violence Against Women. Info: www.wavaw.ca or 604-255-6228.

Oxfam evening
Fri Dec 7 7pm
Sat Dec 8 12noon
An Oxfam night of stories, poetry, films and music to mark the 16 Days of Action to End Violence Against Women. Guest speaker, Laila Pawa of the South Asian Community Workers. Rhizome Café (317 E Broadway). Info: 604-736-7678.

Mysala opening
Thu Dec 6 – Sun Dec 9
An Indian style festival is planned for the opening of Mysala Indian Bistro that will start with a VIP night on Thu and continue with a general opening until Sun.
Sari-clad servers will circulate with trays of tantalizing menu samples to Indian house music and bhangra beats mixed by live DJs. Mysala Indian Bistro (980 Granville St).
Info & RSVP: 604-436-9432.

ICCC networking event
Wed Dec 12 5-7.30pm
Develop professional and personal contacts through a business and social networking session conducted by the Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce.  Venue TBA.
Info: Rina at rina@iccc.org
or 778-688-4973.

Spartans fundraiser
Wed Dec 12 6-11pm
Come out and support young athletes in the community. Dinner and silent auction. Tix $25/$12 (kids 8yrs and younger, free).
Dhaliwal Banquet Hall & Restaurant (#230-8166 128th St, Surrey). Info 604-543-2222
or 604-540-2955.

Delhi 2 Dublin CD release
Thu Dec 13 9pm
Beats Without Borders presents the release of Celtic-Punjabi fusionists’ full-length CD. Guest DJs include Marc Fournier (Electropical), Reminisce (A-Town) & Nils (BWB). The Red Room (398 Richards St).
Info: www.beatswithoutborders.com.

Bollywood workshop
Sat Dec 15 3.30-4.45pm
Learn how to dance Bollywood style with members of the FootEdge Dance Company. No experience necessary. Children under 12 must bring an adult. Tix $5. Roundhouse Community Ctr (Davie at Pacific Blvd). Info: 604-893-8875.

FootEdge performance
Sun Dec 16 2pm & 4pm
Presented by South Asian Arts Society, this company is a regular feature on the bhangra and Bollywood dance circuit. Pay-what-you-can at 2pm (kids are free); $10/4 for at 4pm. Info: 604-893-8875.