The Intermediate Boys Bhangra Team of the Shan-e-Punjab Dance, Performing Arts and Heritage School are putting the final touches on their performance in preparation for the 22nd annual Vaisakhi celebration at the University of Victoria’s Farquhar Auditorium, which takes place May 10.
The team is one of 16 performing at the Youth Cultural Showcase, where more than 200 Shan-e-Punjab students will take to the stage to dance Bhangra and Bollywood numbers.
“Shan-e-Punjab is the first of its kind and has been in operation since 1993,” says director Sonia Grewal. “It is a premier school and a youth-led organization that has taught hundreds of students over the years, including providing key performing and leadership opportunities for youth,” Grewal says.
Vaisakhi took on special significance for the Sikh community in 1699, when the 10th of the Sikh Guru-Prophets—Guru Gobind Singh — formally established the Khalsa Panth (the community of committed Sikhs) and publicly entrusted it with leadership. Historically, Vaisakhi is a harvest festival celebrated on April 13 or 14, and is also referred to as the Sikh New Year. Find tickets to the May 10 event at tickets.uvic.ca or call 250-721-8480 for more information.
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