Organizers of a festival to celebrate Powell River’s cultural diversity are highlighting this year’s stage performances.
“This year we have a different mix of cultures and there’s going to be some really great musical performances,” said Jeannette Jones, one of the organizers of the third annual Celebration of Cultural Diversity scheduled for Saturday, November 16 at Powell River Recreation Complex. Acts will include a performance from a Russian pianist, a children’s choir, Tla’amin (Sliammon) First Nation Spirit Dancers, ballerinas pirouetting across Evergreen Theatre’s stage and many more, said Jones.
The motto of this year’s festival is “Different Culture. Same Love.”
“There’ll be a wonderful array of displays from different countries that people will be able to visit,” she added. “It’s going to be much more interactive this year.”
New to this year’s festival will be visitors’ passports. As visitors walk around to each booth they can have their passport stamped which will enter them into a draw for prizes.
Jones is excited about the children’s room at the festival which again is being hosted by Family Place. As in previous years, volunteers will engage children with crafts and games, but this year “it’s going to be stellar—above and beyond what they’ve done before,” she said. “It’s a very traditional handicraft and goes back to the beginning of humankind.”
Always a favourite way to experience another culture is to eat different kinds of food, and this year the festival continues the tradition of having an international food court. Diners will be able to sample fare from all over the world: China, Japan, Holland, England, Hungary and many more. Jones said that while the festival itself is free, there will be a small cost to sample the different foods.
The festival opens at 10 am and an official opening ceremony, hosted by local dignitaries, will start at 11. Peak publisher Joyce Carlson will emcee the event and Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons, City of Powell River Mayor Dave Formosa and Tla’amin Chief Clint Williams will speak at the opening.
Jones said she is encouraging visitors to dress in clothes from their country of origin or where they identify themselves from.
The celebration will run until 3 pm and events will be held inside the recreation complex. Admission is free.
“There’s been a lot of energy put into it,” said Jones. “It’ll be a great place to learn a little more about other cultures and celebrate your own.”
