I got a chance to see one of the festival’s first outdoor concert in Surrey, BC, this weekend from the vantage of a volunteer live tweeting the day's performances. All of the artists performing bhangra (a lively dance from India's Punjab region, originally performed to celebrate the harvest and now a pop culture phenomenon) were powerful.
My personal highlight, however, was watching the cross-cultural collaboration between dancers from the Surrey India Arts Club and the Jewish Community Centre. By sharing the stage, the dancers reinforced that this festival isn't just about and for the South Asian community alone; it provides an opportunity to build relationships across communities.
To check out performances in your area, please visit cityofbhangra.com.