Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration Society

Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration (VIBC) is the largest Panjabi arts organization in Canada. For over 20 years, VIBC has dedicated their efforts to supporting emerging Panjabi artists and their creative pursuits. They’re playing a crucial role in nurturing talent that has gone on to achieve global recognition. They’re the only organization of its kind in North America.

In 2018, what was previously known as the City of Bhangra festival became 5X Fest, the flagship public facing event for audiences of all backgrounds supporting awareness and music of Punjabi culture.

Vision and Core Values

5X’s vision is to unite the global Panjabi diaspora by celebrating through thoughtful exchanges and shared dialogue. They work towards this vision while staying true to their core values, which they describe as:

• Love: We center our work in love for community and culture.
• Flow: We embrace the dynamic, ever-evolving nature of energy and movement.
• Oneness: We believe in the power of unity and good will.
• Integrity: We stay true to our values, honouring authenticity and transparency.
• Peace: We create moments that foster both inner calm and communal well being.

Bridging Culture and Community

5X produces inclusive spaces for Panjabi artists, audiences, and allies to explore their identities, creative expressions, build connections, and experience belonging. They help elevate Panjabi representation in arts and media by programming artists and bridging the gap between brands and Panjabi hybrid identities in Canada. They leverage their deep cultural insight and grassroots connections to help brands authentically engage with the community, while simultaneously supporting emerging Panjabi artists and creatives as they launch their careers.

Source: 5X Fest

Our Role

Edwards Creative Law has the pleasure of working with VIBC on a variety of initiatives, and for music festivals overall, legal services may include the following:

• We assist festivals with sponsorship agreements, helping to clarify the scope of what deliverables the festival must provide to the sponsor in return for the specific sponsored fees, at certain intervals and milestones.
• Musician performance agreements are generally among the initial services we provide to a music festival, including helping when agents/managers/lawyers have feedback to provide on behalf of their clients who will perform at the festival.
• When content at concerts are captured for specific purposes, we can help to ensure sufficient clarity and rights between the festival and artists, and other content creators.
• Festivals like other businesses hire a variety of people for a variety of roles, and we assist with independent contractor and employment agreements.
• Some festivals have specific policies regarding the conduct of the team and expectation of partners, and where relevant, we assist on that front too.

Edwards Creative Law is Canada’s Entertainment Law Boutique™, providing legal services to Canadians, and international clients who partner with Canadians, in the Music, Film & Television, Animation, Interactive Digital Media, Game, Publishing and Software industries.

For more information or to set up a 15-minute Discovery Call with one of our entertainment lawyers please feel free to Contact Us.

* This blog is for general informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice. Please contact Edwards Creative Law or another lawyer, if you wish to apply these concepts to your specific circumstances.

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