Celebrate Asian Heritage Month, every step tells a story

This May, celebrate Asian Heritage Month with CBC through the language of movement, where every step tells a story. Throughout the month, we're shining a spotlight on Asian dance groups that showcase a variety of classical, folk and contemporary dance styles from the community. It's a vibrant tapestry of Asian dance forms right in our own backyard. We see communities coming together, celebrating one another, and expressing their stories through movement.

CBC is honoured to feature six talented dance schools from across Metro Vancouver that are keeping cultural heritage alive, passing down traditions, knowledge, and technique while helping individuals stay connected to their roots.

VanCity Dance, founded by Kabeer Panesar and Karan Virdi in 2017, is a vibrant Vancouver community centered on bhangra, fostering confidence, creativity, and connection for all ages. This club is rooted in unity, love, and self-expression empowering members as artists and leaders.

From beats to bhangra
Kabeer and Karan connected with us over their shared love for bhangra and how it began with the beat of the dhol – a drum sound that connected them to their roots. After 5 years of competitive bhangra, the duo started a dance school, Vancity Dance, to build a vibrant community around the shared joy of bhangra.

"We didn't just want to teach dance, we wanted to build a place where people feel they belong. bhangra gave us that, and we wanted to pass it on". Today, they say, VanCity Dance is more than just a studio, it's a cultural hub that keeps traditions alive for all ages. 

Keeping in tune with the next generation 
The dynamic duo keeps this traditional folk dance relevant to youth by mixing it up with popular and upbeat Punjabi tunes that celebrate their cultural heritage. 

"A lot of us see our culture through music. You're hearing a lot of popular mainstream music being encompassed with bhangra and Punjabi music. When the kids come together to dance to the music, it creates a real sense of unity between us. And when we share it on stage, we see the love from the wider community". 

VanCity Dance had their big moment earlier this year at The JUNO Awards, a moment they call an opportunity of a lifetime. Karan proudly adds, "It was a phenomenal experience being on that stage in front of Canada and showcasing our culture during a time of Canadian unity".