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Canada's largest Japanese fest, the Powell Street Festival, has announced the local and international lineup for its 41st annual celebration, set to run August 5 and 6.

The event happens at Oppenheimer Park and its surrounding streets, as well as the nearby Firehall Arts Centre, Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall, and the Vancouver Buddhist Temple.

Among the highlights are George & Noriko, a Japanese blues cowboy and a Tsugaru shamisen player from Melbourne, Australia.

Other acts include Japan's Ensemble Liberta, which plays traditional instruments, as well as live calligraphy by Kisyuu and a mix of Taiko groups, including the return of California’s JODAIKO.

Literary events include a presentation by the translators of iconic Japanese author Haruki Murakami, Jay Rubin and Ted Goossen, plus readings by Sally Ito, Joy Kogawa, and Soramaru Takayama.

Web series star Katie Malia returns.

Film screenings are set to take place at the Firehall Arts Centre, copresented with the Hapa-palooza Festival. Look for the award-winning short film "Born With It" and a screening of episodes from Almost Asian, the web series created and starring Los Angeles's Katie Malia, who will be in attendance.

Other special events include a presentation on Japan’s third gender curated by Asato Ikeda, a production of NeOn-ね音, Mayumi Yoshida’s play about her grandmother’s arranged marriage, and a performance by Ottawa-based artist Matt Miwa.

All shows and events are free.

The outdoor action includes interactive installations, children’s activities, craft market and visit over twenty food vendors. “Macro-Maki”, the winner of the fest's second design competition, allows festival attendees to don pillow-sized sushi costumes and shoot selfies on a stage created to look like a giant sushi tray.

And of course, look for food vendors serving authentic Japanese food along Dunlevy and Jackson Avenues.