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CBC
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
What you need to know about Thunder Bay's Indian festivals this weekend
Thunder Bay's Marina Park will be filled with music, colour and community spirit this weekend as the Festival of India and Festival of Colours return for their 16th year. Organized by the Vedic Cultural Centre, the back-to-back festivals will feature a traditional chariot parade, live performances, interactive dance workshops, children's activities, cultural exhibits and food vendors. "This is the celebration of unity and diversity. We may come from different countries, cultures, and languages. But when we unite and celebrate, it brings people together and makes our lives enjoyable," said Dr. Prashant Jani, one of the festival organizers. The weekend kicks off Saturday with the Festival of India, a family-friendly cultural event that begins with a chariot parade at 3 p.m. The event runs until 8 p.m. Rooted in an ancient Indian tradition, the parade features a large, ornate chariot pulled by participants to symbolize unity, love and inclusiveness. "Everybody pulls the chariot with the ropes. There are singers and musicians who sing and play musical instruments in the parade. Everybody dances in the parade. So it's a very joyous occasion," Jani said. Following the parade, attendees can enjoy classical and folk Indian dance, interactive workshops, a spiritual drama, free vegetarian food, henna art, and a cultural bazaar offering Indian crafts, decor and philosophy exhibits. This year's entertainment includes a performance by Janardana Das of The Butter Thieves, a U.S.-based musical group that blends hip hop, reggae and sacred Sanskrit mantras. "What I do is blend musical elements of hip hop reggae, along with mantra and also utilize the musical elements with words from our scriptures to make it more palatable for the modern ear, to share and convey a message of positivity and love," said Das, who is based in Florida. Das calls the group's music "transcendental sound," a fusion of upbeat rhythm and spiritual depth aimed at sparking introspection through dance and chant. "It represents the strength of Indian culture. A lot of people may think that India is a very poor country. Everyone wants to be westernized, but the reality is that the culture of India is the heart. This is where our strength and power are," said Das. Sunday's Festival of Colours draws inspiration from the Indian spring celebration of Holi, known globally as a festival of joy, renewal and community. It runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Marina Park. "When we throw colours into the wind, which means that we throw worries into the wind and make our life joyful and colourful. It is one of the happiest celebrations on the planet, actually," said Jani. The event will feature hourly colour throws, live DJ sets, interactive dance performances, kids' crafts and a wide range of food vendors. Tickets are available online at or can be purchased at the gate. Know before you go Parking: Parking at Marina Park is limited. Organizers recommend arriving early or parking nearby and walking to the venue. Volunteers will be on site to assist. Admission:
Associated Press
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Excellence, Community Spirit, and Cultural Legacy Rolls Through the Bay Area
The BPIR delivered two thrilling shows in Castro Valley captivating audiences with its signature mix of cultural celebration and cowboy grit. OAKLAND, CA, UNITED STATES, July 16, 2025 / / -- From edge-of-your-seat competition to heartfelt community impact, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) delivered two thrilling shows in Castro Valley this past weekend, captivating audiences with its signature mix of cultural celebration and cowboy grit. Now in its 41st season, BPIR remains the only African American touring rodeo association in the world honoring the legacy of legendary cowboy Bill Pickett while shining a spotlight on today's Black rodeo athletes. Thousands gathered at Rowell Ranch Rodeo Park on Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13 for the third stop of the 2025 Legacy Tour, which includes Denver, Memphis, Oakland, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. 'Every time we return to the Oakland area, we feel the deep roots and unwavering pride of this community,' said BPIR President and Producer Valeria Howard-Cunningham. 'It's more than a rodeo, it's a homecoming that celebrates our legacy, uplifts our youth, and keeps our culture alive in the heart of the Bay.' This year's competition in Oakland featured record-breaking times, crowd-favorite matchups, and young talent ready to make history: • Ranch Bronc Riding Marcus Verser proved unstoppable, taking first place both Saturday (79 pts) and Sunday (76 pts) with powerful, controlled rides. • Ladies Breakaway Roping Kanesha Jackson swept the weekend with lightning-fast times—3.80 seconds Saturday and an incredible 2.37 seconds Sunday. • Junior Breakaway Roping Harrel Williams impressed the crowd with a 5.19-second run, showing poise beyond his years. • Steer Wrestling Tony Aska (5.13 sec, Sat) and Tory Johnson (4.87 sec, Sun) muscled their way to victory in this high-intensity event. • Calf Roping JB Collins IV came out on top with a clean, 9.12-second run. • Ladies Steer Undecorating Kanesha Jackson (1.52 sec, Sat) and Kortnee Solomon (1.67 sec, Sun) each delivered decisive wins. • Ladies Barrel Racing Paris Wilburd blazed through with a 17.827-second run, thrilling the crowd with her speed and precision. • Junior Barrel Racing Zoey Wilburd showed talent runs in the family, clocking in at 18.573 seconds. • Pee Wee Barrels The youngest competitor, Kendall Henderson, stole hearts with a brave 22.136-second finish. • Team Roping Jeremy Johnson and Lance Bernard displayed seamless teamwork with a 7.06-second win. • Bull Riding Anthony Smith Jr. (76 pts, Sat) and Au'Vion Horton (73 pts, Sun) held on for crowd-pleasing victories. • Relay Race The Oklahoma/Texas Connection took home bragging rights, finishing the high-stakes bareback baton race in just 57.077 seconds. Beyond the competition, BPIR continued its commitment to education and community engagement. In partnership with AVV (Anti-Violence Ventures), USDA, and Safeway, the BPIR Foundation hosted a hands-on youth workshop for more than 90 local youth. The interactive session tackled issues such as bullying, anti-violence strategies, emotional intelligence, and agricultural literacy, empowering young leaders through dialogue, healing, and connection to land. A poignant moment of the weekend came with a tribute to Jeff Douvel Shiflet, longtime BPIR media consultant and Oakland coordinator. A beloved member of the BPIR family for over three decades, Jeff's powerful voice, dedication, and historical insight helped shape the narrative of Black rodeo in the Bay Area and beyond. Also announced was the release of a compelling new biography, Lu Vason: From Dreamer to Visionary to Pioneer, now available in hardcover, softcover, and digital formats on Amazon and at BPIR souvenir booths. The book chronicles the life and legacy of Lu Vason, BPIR's founder and a trailblazer in Black Western and entertainment culture. Beyond the competition and rodeo, the BPIR Foundation continued its commitment to education and community engagement. In partnership with AVV (Anti-Violence Ventures), USDA, and Safeway, the BPIR Foundation hosted a hands-on youth workshop for more than 90 local youth. The interactive session tackled issues such as bullying, anti-violence strategies, emotional intelligence, and agricultural literacy, empowering young leaders through dialogue, healing, and connection to land. The BPIR tour next stop is Los Angeles as it continues with a special Soul Country Rodeo Weekend, featuring music, culture, and more rodeo thrills: Friday, July 18 – Soul Country Music Star™ Competition Autry Museum of the American West, Griffith Park – Doors at 6:30 PM Saturday, July 19 – Rodeo Performance Industry Hills Expo Center, City of Industry – 7:00 PM Sunday, July 20 – Rodeo Performance Industry Hills Expo Center, City of Industry – 3:30 PM For tickets, visit: About the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR): Founded in 1984 by Lu Vason, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is the nation's longest-running African American touring rodeo association in the world. Created to honor the legacy of legendary cowboy Bill Pickett, BPIR showcases the history, culture, and contributions of Black cowboys and cowgirls, while providing a national platform for today's top Black rodeo athletes. About the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Foundation: The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Foundation is the nonprofit arm of the BPIR, dedicated to preserving the legacy of African American cowboys and cowgirls while empowering future generations. Through educational programming, scholarships, youth engagement, and community partnerships, the Foundation promotes cultural pride, leadership development, and opportunities both in and beyond the rodeo arena. About AVV (Anti-Violence Ventures): AVV is a nonprofit organization focused on ending cycles of violence in Black communities by creating safe spaces for healing, dialogue, and emotional growth. Through workshops and community engagement, AVV empowers Black men and youth to build healthier futures rooted in understanding, accountability, and connection. Michelle R Johnson - BPIR Media Relations Director Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube Other Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Washington Post
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Thousands of voices unite in song at traditional choir festival celebrating Estonia's culture
TALLINN, Estonia — The voices of more than 21,000 choir singers rang out in the rain in Estonia , and a huge crowd of spectators erupted in applause, unfazed by the gloomy weather. The Song Festival Grounds, a massive outdoor venue in the Estonian capital, Tallinn , was packed on Saturday evening despite the downpour. The traditional Song and Dance Celebration, that decades ago inspired resistance to Soviet control and was later recognized by the U.N.'s cultural agency, attracted tens of thousands of performers and spectators alike, many in national costume.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Unclothed icon' makes appearance at festival
An unclothed inflatable character has made a surprise appearance in Plymouth, Devon, for a festival on the city's waterfront. The inflatable character - based on the creations of renowned artist Beryl Cook - was carried across the city by a group of "strong people". The Hello Sailor festival is being held at the city's Tinside Lido from 16:00 to 19:00 BST on Saturday. Organisers said the event would mark how festivals were "part and parcel of art, culture and civic life". Cook was born in 1926 in Surrey before she moved to Plymouth in 1968 where she lived for 40 years until her death in 2008. She is particularly well-known for her humorous paintings depicting the women of Plymouth having fun. More than 80 pieces of her work will feature in a major exhibition at The Box gallery and museum in Plymouth next year. The Hello Sailor festival is one of many events being held to celebrate the bicentenary of the National Gallery and has been organised in conjunction with The Box. The Box said free tickets for the festival had all been taken but people could still enjoy the event from vantage points on Plymouth Hoe. Victoria Pomery, CEO of The Box, said: "Hello Sailor is a creative exploration of Plymouth and I'm excited to see what unfolds." More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Hundreds of swimmers mark summer solstice in lido Beryl Cook's unseen works to go on show in city Tinside Lido's £4.5m revamp work nears end The Box - Hello Sailor!
RNZ News
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Tonga's Heilala festival a celebration of culture and heritage
Tonga is pulling out all the stops this week for its annual Heilala Festival, which is reportedly to be bigger than ever this year.
