The Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival

This project will assist the festival in celebrating the history, culture and people of the DTES. A 2009 ‘best of’ showcase event will feature highlights of the theatre productions from 2003 to the present; work by local performing artists and emerging artists; and a videotape legacy to raise the profile of DTES art and artists. Celebrations will honour founding communities including the Chinese, Japanese, European and First Nations.

The Festival works in partnership with local cultural organizations including the Chinese Cultural Centre, Chinatown Merchants’ Association, the Japanese Language School and Hall, the Vancouver Aboriginal Centre and many more.

Music and visual arts performances as well as forums, walks and talks are also being planned to promote the community’s vibrant history. Indoor and outdoor banners will be designed. A two-year community engagement and capacity building process will end with an original musical theatre exploring identity and home in the DTES.  The Heart of the City Festival will partner with Fearless TV and ACCESS TV to mentor youth from the DTES in all aspects of television production, including three video releases that will profile the festival for public broadcast on SHAW community television.

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