This will be the third year for one of the Coast's most delightful, friendly festivals. The New Moon Festival, a celebration of Asian arts and culture, has been organized mostly by those of Asian heritage in this community. As in the past, it takes place in Dougall Park in Gibsons on Saturday, Sept. 13, from noon to dusk.
And one of the best aspects of this festival happens after dusk when people from all over the neighbourhood, young and old, gather for a lantern procession and parade in the moonlight with their homemade lanterns, then settle in for the world première of a new show from Mind of a Snail shadow puppet theatre.The Festival provides an opportunity for Asians to display pride in their heritage.This year, the event opens with a ceremony honouring the Squamish Nation. An afternoonhighlight will be Kababayang Pilipino (Scotia Dance Centre resident artists), who will be performing colourful regional dances from the Philippines at 1:45 and at 4:30 p.m.
"They're a fantastic cultural and educational group," says Festival organizer Valerie Jackson, speaking about the Vancouver-based performers. She and other organizers hope to reach out this year especially to the Philippine community that she knows exists on the Coast. Young Philippine writers will be part of the afternoon's indoor activities in the Kinsmen Hall.
The Shakti Dance troupe led by Anusha Fernando will demonstrate classical South Indian dance (Bharata Natyam) with live North Indian music. "They are stellar musicians," says Jackson. Fernando has appeared on the Coast several times before to audience accolades. Two unusual and accomplished musicians, Alcvin Takegawa Ramos and Celso Machado, will team up for the first time ever as a duo, and they are reportedly excited by the prospect. Ramos plays Zen pieces on the giant shakuhachi flute while Machado is a Brazilian jazz instrumentalist. Both artists are Coast residents and are internationally celebrated.Sawagi Taiko, Canada's first all-female taiko drumming group, will be back for those who missed their dynamic performance last year. Local vocalists Yoko Chance and Edmund Arceo will also perform. As always, artisans will exhibit their work while families can enjoy lantern-making and Asian crafts for all ages. One activity might be printmaking of traditional Indian designs using coloured powders or watching one of the aikido or karate demonstrations. All are welcome to attend. Admission is $5 to $10 on a sliding scale for adults, and children under 12 are free. For more information including a schedule of events, see: www.newmoonfestivalsociety.org.
