On Difficult and Necessary Conversations

On Difficult and Necessary Conversations: An Update on Powell Street Festival Fall Programming This is a new kind of update, for Powell Street Festival Society (PSFS). It is shaped by the increasingly volatile times through which we are living. We summarize the ‘takeaways’ of our update in the paragraph below, but encourage you to read … Read more

Paueru Mashup Dance: Weekly July Lessons

Paueru Mashup Dance Lessons 2023 Join us this summer for in-person Paueru Mashup Dance lessons at Oppenheimer Park. The Paueru Mashup is a community dance that is accessible for all ages and abilities across the country. No dance experience necessary. Free, weekly lessons every Tuesday in July (4th, 11th, 18th and 25th) from 3pm-4:30pm at Oppenheimer … Read more

Children’s Sumo Workshop

Children’s Sumo Workshop Register Here Join us for an afternoon of sumo training! This session’s aim is to build confidence and safety around this popular Japanese sport in preparation for the Festival. Children ages 2-14, regardless of size, gender, or experience are welcome to participate. Activities will include warm-up exercises, practice matches, and a mini … Read more

Festival Connect Livestream

Can’t make it to Paueru Gai this year? Join our Festival Connect Livestream to catch featured performances and live on-location reporting from the Festival Grounds to your location through YouTube live. Plus, join the conversation through moderated live chat. Scroll down to see this year’s lineup of content, and click “watch now” to tune in … Read more

Press Release: PSFS Presents Studio Programsounds’ Kūsou/空相 at Anvil Theatre in association with New Media Gallery, Anvil Theatre, and Formscape Arts Society

Powell Street Festival Society, in association with New Media Gallery, Anvil Theatre, and Formscape Arts Society, proudly present Studio Programsounds’ Kūsou/空相, a new immersive audio-visual installation drawing on Japanese calligraphy and western flute. Through real-time computer graphics, calligraphic kanji characters are represented as continuously transforming visual scenery, backed by an auditory landscape of acoustic and … Read more

Press Release: Announcing the 46th Annual Powell Street Festival

What is old is new at the 46th Annual Powell Street Festival as we gather in-person to celebrate Japanese Canadian art and culture in Oppenheimer Park and Paueru Gai (the Powell Street area) this July 30 and 31! Three stages feature contemporary and traditional artists, community food vendors and crafters offer favourite Japanese delights and … Read more

Sumo Beginner Workshop (July 10)

Sumo Beginner Workshop Come learn the basic rules and techniques of sumo wrestling and participate in an optional mini-tournament! Join us for this free, all-ages event. No sumo experience necessary.  Date: Sunday, July 10, 2022Time: 1:30-4:00pm (doors open at 1:00pm)Location: Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall (487 Alexander St., 5th floor) Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting … Read more

Paueru Mashup Dance: Weekly In-Person Lessons (July)

Paueru Mashup Dance Lessons: July 2023 Join us this summer for in-person Paueru Mashup Dance lessons at Oppenheimer Park. The Paueru Mashup is a community dance that is accessible for all ages and abilities across the country. No dance experience necessary. Free, weekly lessons every Tuesdays in July (4th, 11th, 18th and 25th) from 3pm-4:30pm … Read more

Drumming up Spirit – Tzo’kam & Sawagi Taiko in Concert

Update May 20, 2022 We regret to announce that due to COVID-19, tomorrow’s Drumming up Spirit concert, including the live stream, has been CANCELLED. Refunds have been issued to all ticketholders to the original method of payment through Eventbrite. Please note that it may take 5-7 working days to process. We thank you for your understanding, and … Read more

What’s New for the 45th Powell Street Festival

Welcome to the 45th Powell Street Festival!   We have adapted to public health restrictions and revamped programming so festival-goers can stay bubble-safe, yet connected to the historic Japanese Canadian neighbourhood!  Throughout the month of July, the festival website (www.powellstreetfestival.com) will be the hub for the country’s largest celebration of Japanese Canadian art and culture. We are … Read more

Community Partnership: Surrey Art Gallery

Announcing our Community Partnership with the Surrey Art Gallery The Powell Street Festival Society is pleased to announce our community partnership with the Surrey Art Gallery. The 45th Annual Powell Street Festival, taking place both online and in the historic Paueru Gai (Powell Street) neighborhood this summer, is partnering with the Surrey Art Gallery, who … Read more

Announcing: Powell Street Festival Telethon on August 1, 2020 from 2pm –7pm  

Banner of Powell Street Festival Telethon 2020

Celebrate Japanese Canadian culture while giving back to your community! Join us for a LIVE online telethon August 1, 2020 from 2pm – 7pm to watch live performances, highlights from previous festivals, appearances from festival vendors, and so much more. Tune in with your family and friends to experience the spirit of the festival right from your home! The Powell Street Festival Society (PSFS) produces the annual Japanese Canadian (JC) outdoor festival that takes place in the historic JC neighbourhood, Paueru Gai … Read more

The 44th Powell Street Festival cancelled as a public gathering event 

Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, the 44th Powell Street Festival is cancelled as a public gathering event. The Powell Street Festival Society (PSFS) board is directing its staff to follow public safety guidelines and to continue consulting with community stakeholders to reconceptualize a safe and innovative celebration of Japanese Canadian arts and culture. “Our festival is first and foremost, a celebration of community and culture.  We may not be gathering together physically but we … Read more

Winners of the 5th Annual Public Art and Design Competition for Powell Street Festival Announced 

Winners of the 5th Annual Public Art and Design Competition for Powell Street Festival Announced Vancouver, BC (Monday, May 4, 2020) – UBC’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture students Shaheed H. Karim and Amy Wu are the winners of the 5th Annual Public Art and Design Competition for Powell Street Festival Society. The team has been awarded a $1000 prize for their proposal titled Go Kingyo, a production … Read more

Fill out our survey!

Did you attend the Powell Street Festival on August 3 or 4, 2019? Please fill out our survey and tell us how we did!   Image credit: Keric Wu

We’re hiring!

2024 PSF Production Crew Opportunities

FESTIVAL CREWS (2 positions) Exciting news! Powell Street Festival Society seeks dedicated team players for the positions of Festival Crew for the 48rd annual Powell Street Festival. This temporary position is a full-time position, starting May 6 and end August 16, 2024. If you’re passionate about cultural events and love working behind the scenes to bring … Read more

Ashi Ato: Winner of the 4th Annual Public Art Competition

Ashi Ato: Winner of the 4th Annual Public Art Competition Emily Carr University of Art and Design student Shayla Giroux is the winner of the 4th Annual Public Art Competition for Powell Street Festival Society. Giroux is joined by fellow student and collaborator Zenyase Hunsberger for the development and production stages. The team has been … Read more

Powell Street Festival Applications NOW OPEN!

Apply to participate in the 2019 Powell Street Festival in Oppenheimer Park on Saturday & Sunday, August 3rd and 4th, 2019. For Community Booths 2019 Community Booth Application For Craft Vendors 2019 Craft Vendor Application For Displays 2019 Display Application For Food Booth Vendors If you have not been a Food Booth Vendor at the … Read more

4th Annual Public Art Competition for Powell Street Festival

4th Annual Public Art Competition for Powell Street Festival Presented in partnership with Revery Architecture and Abaton Projects, students are invited to design an interactive artwork for the 43rd Anniversary Powell Street Festival, scheduled for August 3 and 4, 2019. The winning submission is awarded mentorship from Revery Architecture and Abaton Projects, and a commission … Read more

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