Performers

Embrace the vibrant rhythms and eclectic melodies of the Vancouver-based psychedelic cumbia and salsa ensemble, Empanadas Ilegales. Drawing inspiration from traditional Amazonian, Latin-Caribbean, and Andean psychedelic classics, Empanadas Ilegales transports audiences to a world of contagious grooves and altered sonic landscapes. 

With their latest record, "Creepy Mambo," the band delves deep into the heart of cumbia culture, paying homage to cult classics while infusing their music with experimental synthesizer sounds, slinky dub grooves, and feverish percussion excursions. Empanadas Ilegales creates expansive compositions that combine spellbinding guitar solos, surf riffs, and raucous saxophones, all punctuated by irresistibly danceable rhythms.

FRÄNDER plays modern acoustic folk music forged in the deep forests of northern Sweden. With seductive harmonies, heavy grooves, and mesmerizing energy, the band creates a unique musical landscape filled with mystery and charm. Combining their modern influences with the sounds of tradition, they find their creative freedom within the expressive modern sound of Nordic folk music and the traditional music of their ancestors. FRÄNDER is not interested in merely reproducing the past but strives to find new ways into the future.

They convey their music with tremendous joy, powerful energy, and, of course, enviable instrumental skills. They captivate their audience." - Ando Kiviberg, Founder, Viljandi Folk Festival

Glisha is a Filipino-Canadian artist with international hit singles to her name. Her versatility through lyrically charged, pop-infused tracks and slow-burning ballads has gained major popularity in different countries worldwide, garnering over 4 million streams on streaming platforms. Aside from her streaming impact, Glisha has won numerous music awards, such as the Fraser Valley Music Awards 2021 “Excellence by a Female Artist,” The Joey Awards, the Toyota CBC Searchlight Top 100 Artists, and the FVMA 2023 RnB Artist of the Year and First Place Winner of the Dakota Leslie Fan Vote Award.

In the past year, she has graced the stages of the Surrey Canada Day Festival, Surrey Tree Lighting Festival, New Westminster's Fridays On Front, Abbotsford's Jam in Jubilee, and the North Vancouver Shipyards Festival. Glisha’s musical vision is compelling in everything she does, from her quirky, fun-loving live shows to her meticulously crafted self-written and produced songs. Glisha has new music coming out in September, so be sure to keep up with her on her social media platforms for updates!

Learn how to make a Vietnamese salad roll with the Vietnam Kitchen Group.

 Learn how to make japchae with the Korean Pavilion.

Learn how to make Peruvian fish ceviche with the Peruvian Pavilion.

Marlin Ramazzini is one of the most versatile and accomplished Latin singers on the West Coast of Canada, with a warm and sensuous voice that can tease out the essence of any song.

Growing up in Guatemala, she was inspired to start singing by listening to Cuban son, cha-cha-cha, mambo, and other hot rhythms on the radio. After winning a major talent competition at the age of 12, Marlin realized that her destiny was to make music.

She studied in Havana with several of the greatest Cuban musicians, such as the Buena Vista Social Club’s Omara Portuondo, and also learned to play percussion and marimba from master musicians.

Marlin settled in Canada in 1990, where she quickly became a pillar of the lively Latin scene, working with its leading artists. Within a few years, she created her own group under the musical direction of her husband, Juno Award-winning bassist and composer Fito Garcia.

Muévete is a marimba ensemble that loves to get people on their feet and moving! The band has been playing together for many years, during which they have performed at festivals (Vancouver World Music Festival, Vancouver Island Music Festival, Richmond World Festival, Surrey Fusion Festival, and many more) and concerts around the province. This year, the group has been working hard on writing original songs that they can’t wait to share.

Watch Nepali traditional/folk dance performances by the community members.

Chef Robert Clark is the Chief Culinary Officer at Organic Oceans Seafood. Known for his appearances on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" and "Iron Chef America," Chef Clark will be showcasing his passion for sustainable seafood on the culinary stage through a cooking demo of wild BC salmon dumplings. Autographed copies of Chef Clark’s "C Food" cookbook will be available onsite through a raffle that supports Surrey’s Salmon Habitat Restoration Program (SHaRP) team of local youth that enhance wild salmon habitats and raise awareness about the importance of urban streams for indigenous fish species.

They are an Aceh youth group with a mission to preserve Acehnese culture and embrace it in Canada. They also aim to teach our youth Acehnese traditions and practices.

Seaview Pentecostal Youth Ministry.

Shawn Bullshields was born and raised in Southern Alberta and is a member of the Blackfoot Nation. In 2010, he began pursuing music professionally in Vancouver. Since 2015, Shawn has been performing full-time on Granville Island. As a singer and guitarist, he has a natural charisma and professional delivery that combines a repertoire of songs from the genres of pop, blues, country, and folk. The point where these genres intersect is through his masterful singing voice. He commands instant attention because his voice conveys the truth, beauty, and deep meaning within each song, expressed with the full weight of his personal life experiences.

On December 22nd, 2009, SEACHS registered with the BC Registry to become an official non-profit organization.
SEACHS engages in training and educating Canadians about Southeast Asian cultures. It seeks to encourage young people, in particular, to become involved in the preservation and promotion of various forms of Southeast Asian culture. Through these activities, it hopes to create a forum where people can engage in activities that promote Southeast Asian cultural heritage. This cultivates wellness within local Southeast Asian-Canadian communities and the wider public, enriching the diversity of Canadian society.

Stories on Wheels is an original street theatre storytelling act for the whole family. Tales are brought to life by a high-energy comic performer using beautifully illustrated picture cards displayed on a magnificent miniature wooden stage attached to a unique bicycle.

The show combines the best of oral storytelling and narrative painting. Featuring gorgeous illustrations by local artists, as well as traditional picture cards from Japan, several short stories are told with music, dramatic action, and audience interaction. Additionally, the audience gets to hear an amusing and informative history of the art form. You’ve never experienced storytelling quite like this before! Stories On Wheels has been touring throughout Western Canada since 2010.

The musical group SweetPan is all about Canadians playing the steel drum, 'pan', the only acoustic musical invention of the 20th century, & clearly a major Caribbean contribution to world culture. We specialize in Caribbean rhythms on the many different sizes of drum & have played for dances, weddings, corporate events, community events & interactive concerts since 1994. Our leader & arranger, Bernard Fernandes, draws on his vast repertoire & experience of the Caribbean to lend both an innovative & authentic touch!
Musical repertoire includes Caribbean, Reggae, Soca, Salsa, Pop and many others.