Performers

Born in Ghana, and raised between the UK and Canada, artist and songwriter, MAUVEY, defies categorization with his unique blend of influences spanning Afro, pop, hip-hop, cinematic, rock, punk, alternative, and electronic genres.

Born out of an obsession with storytelling, songwriting, cinema, and fashion, MAUVEY's music reflects a spectrum of emotions — anger, frustration, happiness, gratitude, and love— all intertwined with a fervent desire for the world to change.

Aché Brasil - An Explosion of Color, Energy, and Music!

Aché Brasil represents the culture, traditions, beliefs, music, and movement of the people of Brazil. Equal parts music, dance, and spectacle, Aché Brasil has played to enthusiastic audiences and received critical acclaim from all over North America. Aché Brasil specializes in the performance of popular and traditional high-energy Afro-Brazilian music, dance, and acrobatics. Aché Brasil’s high-energy show is known to leave the audience spellbound.

Brazilian Swag is a dance group composed of girls who came together to share their passion for dance with the community. They bring their culture to life by performing Brazilian rhythms, and each member also has a rich background in dance and other activities like Capoeira. You can see this mix in their performances with Abalaê Capoeira, which bring the roots of Brazil with love and passion

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.

Edward Sembatya is a versatile Ugandan dance practitioner, choreographer, educator, and drummer (Ugandan drums). His artistic works and research draw inspiration from contemporary everyday life and the rich knowledge and skills embedded in Indigenous East African dances (Ugandan in particular), music, and narratives. 

He has been dancing since the age of three and has intentions of making the art a professional career. As of now, he is a dance major student at Simon Fraser University and also studies the art of music through drumming. 

Teta is a young Rwandan dancer and entertainer who performs various styles, including Rwandan Traditional Dance called “Amaraba”.

She has been dancing from a young age and was inspired by her mother, who was also a traditional dancer. This is her second time performing at Surrey Fusion Festival, where she shared her culture and beautiful dance last year.

Teta has been part of different dance troupes in her home country and now performs at various cultural events in British Columbia. She is also a member of the Rwandan traditional dance troupe in Vancouver called "Indangamirwa".

Some of the events she has participated in include the Celebration of Africa Day in Victoria, All Over the Map music series, Black Music Festival 2023, and Visit Rwanda Roadshow 23/24, to name a few.