Tandava is four piece ensemble that mirrors the cultural diversity of Vancouver in its music. Elements of Chinese, South Asian, African and European music all harmonize with astonishing ease in the hands of Tandava.

What makes their music work is the skill with which they fuse their musical backgrounds and cultural references. But ultimately, like good chefs or any artist, they just have something to say and they know how to say it. It's music that pleases the ear.

The concert will be broadcast on May 25th at 8pm on CBC Radio Two.

The Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival supports active cultural traditions in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. In 2008, the Festival honoured one of their founding communities with a day celebrating Asian-Canadian artists.

CBC's mics were in the Great Hall at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden to bring you this ensemble's eclectic blend of popular and traditional Chinese music. These accomplished instrumentalists play erhu (Chinese violin), dizi (Chinese flute), pipa (Chinese lute), yangqin (Chinese hammered dulcimer), zheng (Chinese harp) and ruan (Chinese guitar).

The concert will be broadcast on May 25th at 8pm on CBC Radio Two.

Vancouver Chinatown rooming house, 1902 (BC Archives)

Between Ourselves was a weekly series of hour-long radio programs that presented Canada to Canadians. It featured aspects of Canadian life in docudramas, plays, music, and interviews, originating from different regions of Canada. The series ran on CBC Radio from 1966 to 1979. This episode is a documentary examining the anatomy of Vancouver's Chinatown as a society within a society. Chinese young and old provide their impressions of Chinatown today, and comment on the social, political and cultural influences that have played a part in shaping the community. The episode orginally aired March 3rd, 1968.

The producer was Harold Gray and the writer was Paddy Hynan.

Thank-you to BC Archives for access to the sound recording.

Part 1 (Runs 32:11)

Part 2 (Runs 24:49)

CBC Manitoba News at Six reporter Aarti Pole will be hosting the opening ceremonies for Asian Heritage Month

Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 1pm
Indo-Canadian Arts and Cultural Centre
479 St. Mary's Road
Winnpeg, Manitoba

CBC Manitoba Radio One 89.3FM 990 AM is proud to support Asian Heritage Month. Tune in throughout May as they celebrate Asian Heritage Month.