Youth Take the Stage at the VIBC’s NEXT Bhangra Competition

Vancouver, B.C., October 24, 2007 – Promoting creativity, innovation and team spirit amongst youth is what the NEXT Bhangra Competition is all about. On November 11, 2007, the VIBC Society presents the NEXT Bhangra Competition, an event that features local high school students performing and competing at the Bell Centre for Performing Arts in Surrey, BC.

“We recognize that there is an incredible amount of emerging young Bhangra talent out there,” says Mo Dhaliwal, Director of the VIBC Society. “NEXT gives tomorrow’s stars an opportunity to perform and be appreciated by audiences while providing them with the building blocks to grow in the art-form of Bhangra.”

Nine dance teams from across the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Victoria and Washington will perform the South Asian folk dance that originates in India and Pakistan. Winning teams will receive cash prizes, trophies and the chance to perform during “City of Bhangra 2008,” the VIBC Society’s annual dance and music festival, taking place from February 29 – March 8, 2008.

NEXT will also feature a special performance by local Bhangra music band, En Karma. Tickets for the event are only $25 and can be purchased from Kamal’s Video Palace in Surrey and Tasleem’s Video in Vancouver, or by contacting the VIBC Society.

Since 2005, the not-for-profit Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration Society (VIBC) has presented events to entertain and educate all communities about Bhangra. The Society’s vision is to embrace the spirit of celebration, generosity and community that is Bhangra. The VIBC is dedicated to spreading the universal rhythm of Bhangra and welcoming people from all cultures to enjoy the beats of this beautiful art form.

For more information, visit www.vibc.org/community/next.

-30-

For more information, contact:
Sukhi Ghuman
Media & Public Relations
604.315.2599
sukhi.ghuman@vibc.org