asian food: New South Asian arts festival runs this weekend Julia Le May 17, 2006 Asma Arshad Mahmood wants to see Mississauga's cultural diversity flourish. Having moved from Islamabad, Pakistan, to Mississauga seven years ago, the 43-year-old said Mississauga lacks citywide events that showcased homegrown talent. "Nothing happens here," said Mahmood, a visual artist. "I want to see Mississauga be an accepted city where things are happening and things are taking place so that people don't have to look outside of the city to find entertainment, arts and culture." As part of the celebration of South Asian Heritage Month, Mahmood and the Canadian Community Arts Initiative, a not-for-profit corporation, will be hosting Mosaic, the first South Asian multi-disciplinary arts festival in Mississauga, on May 20 and May 21 from noon to 11 p.m. at Civic Square. The weekend event will showcase more than 40 performances, a South Asian food festival, an on-site graffiti demonstration by local artists, and a youth stage featuring Mississauga bands. "We have made an effort to develop this festival not only as a celebration of South Asian community, but also as a tribute to the multiple layers of cultural makeup of Canada," said Mahmood, who has been planning the event for three years. "The recognition of youth culture demonstrates our faith in the next generation and respect for their creative dynamics." Mahmood's daughter Bushra, 18, said her age group, 16- to 26-year-olds, is usually ignored. "We want to give local bands a chance to show themselves to their fans and family," said Bushra, the youth co-ordinator for Mosaic. She said her friends often drive to Burlington to perform because there aren't many all-ages venues in Mississauga. The event will also feature 30 marketplace vendors bringing merchandise from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and other South Asian countries, as well as a literary seminar with South Asian Canadian writers at the Central Library, performances by Juno Award-winning singer Kiran Ahluwalia and music maestro Sohail Rana at the Living Arts Centre (LAC), and a visual art exhibition in Laidlaw Hall, also in the LAC. "The concept (of the art work) is issues of immigration, displacement, and feeling like an alien in your own home," said Asma, "issues on how we perceive our children leaving their culture, and all those sensitivities." Mahmood expects the festival will bring out 15,000 people each day. "It's South Asian Heritage Month and we want to celebrate that huge part of our community," said Asma. "Such an event is really recognition of vitality that exists in our community." She hopes it will open new doors for other groups in Mississauga to celebrate the cultural richness of heritage. Admission to the festival costs $5. For tickets to the Kiran Ahluwalia and Sohail Rana concerts at the LAC, $20-$35, call 905-306-6000 or email lac.boxoffice@livingarts.on.ca. Proceeds from the event will pay artists and help develop a fund for a regional art gallery.