Founded in 2004, VIBC is a not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to strengthening the community we live in by engaging diverse audiences through the music and dance of Bhangra through the annual HSBC City of Bhangra Festival.
Metro Vancouver’s Bhangra scene is a breeding ground for internationally acclaimed talent with a unique history dating back to the 60s. VIBC’s intention is to be a leader in stewarding this art form to make our region Bhangra’s new capital: a destination of choice for performance; and a forum for discourse on the future of Bhangra. VIBC also works hard at creating cross cultural collaborations showing regardless of race or ethnicity, we can all come together and celebrate through this beautiful artform.
WHY WE CREATED THE HSBC CITY OF BHANGRA FESTIVAL
Bhangra is widely recognized as the most attractive and accessible of the dance and musical forms to come out of the Indian Subcontinent. That’s why an infusion of Bhangra can be found in not only the Bhangra community, but also many cultures of South Asian and, indeed, the world. The South Asian community is active, prosperous and interested in passing down their cultural values to future generations. The HSBC City of Bhangra Festival provides an avenue for encouragement of budding Bhangra artists and a platform of excellence for established performers. Truly, the single defining factor that has differentiated the HSBC City of Bhangra Festival from other Bhangra-related offerings in the community is a commitment to excellence and to developing engagement of youth in the culture of Bhangra. VIBC and its events are seen as the representative model for the benefits of bringing professionalism and investment to the folk arts of a community.