Diwali Multicultural Festival
The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society proudly presents, through partnership with Diwali in BC, the second annual Diwali in Vernon Festival!
Running Tuesday, October 15 through to Saturday, October 19, 2019, the Festival will host a variety of multicultural activities around Vernon welcoming everyone to participate in a gathering that aims to unite Vernon citizens, regardless of age, identity, and culture.
Make sure to also check out all the festive downtown businesses that will be decorating their window displays in a Diwali theme.
SCHEDULE:
Tuesday, October 15:
10am - 5pm Vernon Public Art Gallery will be launching its community rangoli. Be sure to stop by to take part in the interactive community rangoli, which will be open to the public all week during regular gallery hours.
3:30pm The Okanagan Science Centre will also be hosting “Diwali Week” with an afterschool activity for kids.
7pm Okanagan Regional Library hosts the Festival Launch featuring pop-up performances from local dancers, as well as free chai and samosas.
Wednesday, October 16:
10am-12pm, 1pm-4pm, and 6pm-8pm at the Vernon Community Arts Centre families can enjoy a free Lantern Making Workshop. Pre-registration is encouraged.
3-4pm Lotus & Lettuce yoga studio will be hosting a $15 drop-in Kids Yoga and diya-making class.
3:30pm The Okanagan Science Centre will also be hosting “Diwali Week” with an afterschool activity for kids.
7pm The Greater Vernon Museum and Archives will also be hosting a Multicultural Fabric of Vernon event.
Thursday, October 17:
3:30pm The Okanagan Science Centre will also be hosting “Diwali Week” with an afterschool activity for kids.
7:30pm the Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre Society presents Red Sky Performance’s Trace, the first show in the 2019/20 SPOTLIGHT Dance Series, as part of the Diwali in Vernon Festival. Red Sky Performance is at the forefront of contemporary Indigenous performance in Canada and their show, Trace is a highly kinetic dance that maps Anishinaabe sky and star stories and offers a glimpse into our origins as well as our future evolution.
Friday, October 19:
2-4pm The Caetani Centre is offering a free Memoir Writing Workshop with Janelle Hardy. All ages are welcome.
3:30pm The Okanagan Science Centre will also be hosting “Diwali Week” with an afterschool activity for kids.
5-6:30pm Get your heart pumping with a Bolly X workout at Soul Studio. Pricing and information can be found online:
7-11pm Finish off the night at the Vernon Public Art Gallery’s Art After Dark event, which includes art activities, light refreshments, and a raffle draw. Tickets are available through the Vernon Public Art Gallery.
Saturday, October 19:
1-2pm The Okanagan Science Centre will be hosting “One Sky, Many Stories” planetarium show, which will feature South Asian stories of Diwali and its significance. Regular entrance fees apply for this event.
3:30pm The Okanagan Science Centre will also be hosting “Diwali Week” with an afterschool activity for kids .
5pm Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre pre-show activities and marketplace, including henna tattooing, sari tying, pop up performances, and more in the lobby.
7pm a final showcase at the Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre headlined by the popular Bollywood dance group from Vancouver, the Shiamak Dancers! Also headlining the performance is world renowned tablaist, Cassius Khan, and Kathak Dancer, Amika Kushwaha, a duo who recently performed for the UN in Geneva with rave reviews and accolades.
9pm to end off the night, The Curry Pot will be hosting an Indian Buffet Dinner! Eat with the performers and celebrate South Asian culture with delicious food. Reservations required.