Event ‘is a magical thing’

“I think a big part of it is that it is an intergenerational festival,” said Dunic. “It started in 1977 and those people who started it still are involved, a lot of them. Their kids are involved and there are people who came as children are now volunteers or are on the board. We have connections to so many different ages and backgrounds of people.”

Keeping a festival alive also means keeping it fresh. A highlight in the what’s-new category for this year’s event is the festival launching and supporting a B.C. tour by renowned percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani.

The tour will see the gong master hit a handful of B.C. communities and teach the gong to different musicians. Those musicians will then perform with him.

“That is a really unusual and new thing for us,” said Dunic of the gong- engagement project that will see bands being formed in Vancouver, Whistler, Penticton, Kootenay Bay and New Denver.

It’s worth noting that there are a handful of other sites — just short walks from Oppenheimer Park — that are hosting festival events. Included in those off-site presentations is a show at Centre A Gallery (268 Keefer St.) with works from international visual artists Chiharu Mizukawa and Nao Uda.

Mizukawa does cool paintings using only water, paper and fire.

“Who would have thought you could make something so complex out of such simple materials,” said Dunic.

“It is a magical thing. Definitely a highlight of the festival.”

Nao’s photography exhibit will include images of Japanese history in Canada and the interactive installation 316 Powell is shaped as a map of the historic Japanese neighbourhood.

From traditional to experimental this festival literally has something for everyone.

“I would like to inspire people however we can. It is definitely something I try to achieve through my programming choices,” said Dunic. “I want people to be able to access things they would have never thought of accessing, or be interested in, and then walk away surprised and say, ‘Wow, I never even thought of that,’ or, ‘Maybe I can do that.’ ”

Dunic quickly points to Nakatani as someone who fulfils her programming philosophy.

“(Nakatani) really represents that,” says Dunic. “He is doing a solo show on the Saturday at Firehall Theatre and seeing him play, wow. He uses broken cymbals, all these things you wouldn’t think someone would use for percussion and it is so inspiring. On top of that he gets really involved with local musicians. To have that exchange of knowledge and then those musicians can go back and think about their musical practice. That’s great.”

For poet Soramaru Takayama the Powell Street Festival is a chance to leave the solitary life of a writer behind and engage with an audience and other artists. His Powell Street Festival performance will be supported by musicians Japanese shakuhachi flute performer Kofu and koto artist Vi An.

“My poetry performance style is sometime theatrical like a play, sometimes involving audience to complete the performance,” said Takayama. “For this year, I asked great musicians to help me make a fun stage. I plan to ask the audience to participate in one of my poems, too. Let’s make a poetry event fun together!”

This year’s festival marks the fourth time Takayama has taken part. He says he is thrilled to be returning and to be part of spreading his culture.

“As you know, the Powell district is the place Japanese Canadian history had started, there was some dark history, but now the area hosts the biggest Japanese Canadian festival in Vancouver. It’s the place demonstrating the equality we have in Canada,” said Takayama.

“As an immigrant myself, it is very meaningful to perform at such a location, one that showcases Japanese culture.”