Hapa-palooza Festival celebrates mixed-roots ideas and arts in Vancouver

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      As part of the City of Vancouver 125th birthday celebrations, the just-announced Hapa-palooza festival features an array of mixed-heritage artists in the mediums of dance, film, music, visual and literary arts. According to its organizers it was "created for everyone whose family roots reach across cultures," and its mandate is "to foster community and dialogue among people identifying as having mixed heritage and to generate public awareness around topics related to mixed heritage."

      Hapa-palooza runs from September 7 to 10 and features three free public events and a ticketed cabaret evening. Here are the confirmed programs and guests:

      MIXED VOICES RAISED: Writers, Poets and Spoken Word Artists in Dialogue. Writers Fred Wah, Joanne Arnott, and Tanya Evanson engage the audience in mixed-root dialogue and share their literary expression in fiction, poetry, and spoken-word performance. Sept. 7, 7-8:30 pm, Vancouver Public Library Central Branch, Alice MacKay Room. Free.

      MIXED FLICKS: Explorations of Mixed Identity in Film. Film-maker Jeff Chiba Stearns (One Big Hapa Family) hosts a mixed actors’ panel discussing mixed representation in media followed by short film screenings with filmmaker Q&A. Sept. 8, 7-9 pm, Vancouver Public Library Central Branch, Alice MacKay Room. Free.

      SIR JAMES DOUGLAS MIX-A-LOT CABARET. Experience mixed expression in an intimate setting featuring Jay Hirabayashi (Kokoro Dance), Chris Murdoch (contact juggler), Zhambai Trio Navaro Franco, Kurai Mbwaia and Curtis Andrews (West African mbira), First Ladies Crew (First Nations hip hop), and Green Tara (funk-jazz fusion singer). Sept. 9, 7-10 pm, Roundhouse Performance Space. Ticketed event (tix available at hapapalooza.com).

      HAPA-PALOOZA IN THE SQUARE: CELEBRATING MIXED COMMUNITY. Outdoor community event featuring an open-air art exhibit curated by artist Ella Cooper and featuring local mixed artists and performances by mixed talent of the future. Performers include Whitredge Brothers (jazz duo), Tuedon Ariri (rhythmic gymnast), the Jocelyn Petite Band (Celtic fiddle), Chibi Taiko (youth drum ensemble), Kathara (indigenous Filipino dance troupe), Ndidi Cascade and Deanna Teeple (hip hop), and Kutapira (marimba group). Sept. 10, 12:30-7 pm, Robson Square. Free

      For updated festival details visit www.hapapalooza.com.

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