February 28, 2010
[Ready to Bhangra?]
Even at the end of the Olympics, the streets were still filled with people and getting down there was just as tiring.
I attended Bollywood Olympics yesterday at the Yaletown LiveCity Site. They had a few groups perform dances, dhol drum beats and bhangraaaaa.
Later on in the day, I had to head down to the Queen Elizabeth theatre for Quantum Bhangra, the event we've been preparing for for the last 2 weeks and I must say it was a great event. It was extremely busy and hectic when I got there but I figure a lot of the Cultural Olympiad events have been that way since this is the first time Vancouver's ever hosted the Olympics. When the show started though...it was great.
What I really liked about all these events within the Punjabi community is that everyone seems so tight knit. Even though there are tons of them as there are with all other races here in Canada, they of all of them are like family. All events and shows is like a big family reunion. At some points I wish I knew what they were all saying.
When I finally got my pass and got access backstage, all the VIPs had no idea who I was however as I bumped into all the performers I'd met in the last 2 weeks at rehearsals, I was greeted with warm hellos and "eyyyyh! J.P!!!!!!!!"s;even I felt like family.
Black Mahal
I got to see more Bhangra... hear the Godfather of Bhangra, Black Mahal sing traditional Bhangra mixed with modern hip hop (that was a bit strange but he was the Godfather!).. more Bhangra...En Karma, who is my new favourite Bhangra/Punjabi band now and then at the end.... God... Harbhajan Mann.. Everyone wanted to touch his hand. They all seemed to know who he was and wanted him to sing all their favourite songs. Some even sang along!
Harbhajan Mann
It was definitely a great show and I'm glad I got to meet all these people. So I guess the Olympics wasn't all too bad. I'm not sure I would really enjoy all those people being around all the time and having to wait in long lines and squish with people on the skytrain.. but hey... for 2 weeks of partying and having all these people come together to celebrate as one.. it wasn't so bad. :)