Performers

His | Hers is a husband-and-wife musical duo blending jazz, folk, acoustic, and African influences into a rich, soulful sound.

What would have happened if Bob Marley had spent time soaking in the musical traditions of Delhi? Or if Canadian rock legends Rush fell in love with the ancient traditions of ghazal and light classical Indian music? Enter Indian Standard Time!

IST is an electrifying collective of musicians from Canada, India, Malaysia and the UK, all teaching and working at the Naad Centre for the Performing and Visual Arts in Surrey, BC, Canada, in the heart of the largest Punjabi community outside of India.

IST dances with North Indian classical traditions and yet defies description – an alt/jam/prog/funk/reggae/Indian fusion band creating a live experience unlike any other! IST has been playing local festivals and concerts in the Vancouver area, and is now ready to take it to the world… Are you ready for Indian Standard Time?

From singing at age 4 to performing on some of the biggest community stages in Canada, Jessamine is a multi-talented artist whose work spans music, acting, film, and modeling.
After completing college, she dove into acting—honing her craft through indie projects, music videos, student films, and eventually national commercials for brands like Canadian Tire, Dempster’s, and TransLink.

From the West Coast of British Columbia, Jocelyn Pettit is a vibrant, award-winning fiddle player, stepdancer, and singer of Scottish, Irish, French, and Malaysian heritage. With uplifting energy and an engaging stage presence, Jocelyn weaves the Celtic and folk traditions of her roots into her music.

John Welsh & Los Valientes deliver an irresistible blend of Latin and folk rhythms that get crowds dancing and spirits soaring. Known for their high-energy shows and multicultural sound, the band brings together infectious melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and a global message of unity and joy.

Lady Sinncere is an up-and-coming MC in the Vancouver Music Scene. Since childhood, she has performed locally, nationally, and internationally with her family as a cultural dance group, The Chinook SongCatchers. She performed on behalf of the Squamish Nation at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies, with 3.5 viewers internationally. She is also a First Nations storyteller, facilitator, and cultural ambassador.

Le Plaisir means pleasure in French. The name truly reflects the group's passion and dedication to bringing out the “Truth, Virtue, and Beauty of Life” through their performances.

Matt Cook-Contois is a singer and multi-instrumentalist from Misipawistik Cree Nation in northern Manitoba. He began his music career as a traditional fiddle player, competing in contests across Western Canada, before transitioning to playing in indie bands and cover bands in Vancouver.

As a singer, fiddle player, and guitarist, Matt performs in a variety of projects, but his main focus is his alternative rock band, Eagle Ex Machina.

Merlin is a 502-year-old wizard who loves to perform magic—but sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned.
Accompanied by Smog, a wisecracking baby dragon who can do a little magic too, Merlin and his sidekick always amaze and amuse kids of all ages (yes, adults love it too!).

Nahualli (Nah-Wall-e) Folklore Society is a registered non-profit organization established in Vancouver, B.C. Canada since 2010.

Mission Statement:
To share and celebrate the richness of Mexican folk dance in Vancouver through accessible education, intergenerational mentorship, and vibrant public performance—fostering cultural pride, meaningful community connections, and inclusive networks for immigrant families, while nurturing a deeper understanding of cultural identity and belonging.

Vision Statement:
To build an intercultural society where traditional Mexican dance is celebrated as an essential and enriching part of Canada’s diverse cultural identity.

Nahualli specializes in Traditional Mexican Dance, encompassing "zapateado" techniques and skirt twirling, harmoniously blending them with Mexico's most beloved rhythms such as El Son, El Huapango, La Música Ranchera, Banda, Indigenous music, and numerous others.

Nico and Liat are professional dancers and instructors who have been dancing and performing for many years at major events around the world. They will present an innovative combination of Rumba Columbia and Flamenco. This fusion of two iconic styles makes their performance truly unique.

Ventriloquist-comedienne Norma McKnight started in show business as the principal puppeteer and contributing writer for Shari Lewis’ Emmy Award-winning children's TV show Lamb Chop’s Play-Along. Since then, Norma and her hilarious puppet characters have performed for diverse audiences around the world. You may have seen her on The Comedy Network or with her suave toad, “Norbert,” in the international COKE ZERO SUGAR commercial Nailed It.

Watch as cultural pavilion organizers march from the Celebration Stage to the Concord Pacific World Music Stage together.

Pasión Venezuela Dancing Group was created in March 2024 by a group of Venezuelans who are deeply passionate and proud of their culture and traditional dances.

The group’s main purpose is to showcase the rich variety of Venezuelan dance styles and rhythms through performances at cultural festivals and special events.

Pat Calihou is a Métis artist and one-man band known for his wild slide guitar and driving blues. He loves to play original music, heartfelt songs, and classics from the seventies.