Performers

Desirée Dawson is a JUNO-nominated recording artist, songwriter, producer and yoga teacher. Desiree was born, raised and is currently residing on the, occupied, traditional, unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ / sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) nations (also known as “Vancouver BC”) and can often be found sharing her music internationally. Desirée is of mixed ancestry, her mother French-Canadian settler ancestry from "Ontario '' and her father is of African descent from "South Carolina ''. Desiree is very passionate about music’s role in collective healing, by encouraging listeners to find a connection within themselves and the people and land around them. Whether performing solo with her baritone Ukulele, in harmony with her band or leading sound healing workshops, Desirée’s music is made to get us feeling and healing.

Heart-forward and three-time Juno nominated Ginalina creates a world of indie and all-ages folk music and beautiful children's books that celebrate nature, community, and the connections we share between them.  Her songs and stories are warm and winsome, fun and folky, interactive and energizing.  Together, and in English, Mandarin, and French, with loved ones, strangers, and friends, she shares wild and wonderful moments of singing, dancing, and a sort of kindness that this world needs more than ever.

"Tiger" WIll Mason is a multi-instrumentalist, award-winning singer/songwriter, actor and Native rights warrior of Mohawk and Upper Cayugar descent. He has played music as a solo artist, as a bandleader, and accompanist in cover and original bands, from Toronto, to Vancouver. His CD "Long Walk 49" enjoyed airplay in the 2000s, and was nominated for five awards at the first NEMAs in Albuquerque, NM. In 1986 he was given the Anishinabe name "Kahntahwiwim'-tchi-get", which means "Maker of Beautiful Music. He's won several awards, including Canada's Aboriginals Got Talent in 2012. His music is a variety of genres, from folk to rock and blues, even bluegrass stylings. His stories and songs are legendary in some circles, having played across Turtle Island.

Argel MDR is a Filipino-Canadian singer/songwriter from Surrey, Canada. He was one of the Top 10 finalists of CBC's Toyota Searchlight 2021. When he was 15 years old, he moved to Canada from the Philippines with his family to seek a better life and opportunities. With Sam Smith, One Republic, and Original Pinoy Music (OPM) as his music influences, Argel wants to use the power of storytelling to inspire Filipino youth and other immigrants through his music and theatrical performances. In addition, he is an advocate of representation, anti-racism work, and inclusion. Argel's most recent single, 'Sail Away' was featured in Spotify editorial playlists, including Fresh Finds Philippines. Argel recently received a Pop Artist of the Year Nomination and an Excellence Award by a BIPOC artist from Fraser Valley Music Awards 2021 by CIVL radio 101.7 FM.

We are a group of friends, all immigrants from Argentina in BC, who love meeting and jamming. Each of us has experience in different styles and bands. We love Argentinian music and our goal is to share the richness and variety of genres in our traditional music.

Powerful, uplifting, and energetic, the Eire Born Irish Dance Company is a professional performance troupe that caters to all audiences. From the lively lifts in soft shoe to the intricate rhythms in hard shoe, the choreographies showcase traditional Irish dancing with a modern twist.

2022 Canadian Folk Music Awards Nominee - "Best Traditional Singer" has become known as one of the most exciting roots artists in Western Canada.

Equally skilled at delivering a dance-inducing, powerhouse Celtic rock tune as a quietly heartrending East Coast-influenced ballad, Pat’s rootsy vocal style, charismatic stage presence and expert musicianship (guitar) are making for an ever-growing audience of enthusiastic fans.

Its music is played and performed, and often written, in Pat’s distinctive and unique voice; strongly rooted in the Celtic tradition, but with an open-hearted connection to the place he calls home and the modern world around him. His lyrics are at turns profound – or witty and high-spirited – but always dynamic and relatable.

Tim Readman is a musician, singer, songwriter, producer and music journalist, originally from County Durham, England and now based in Vancouver BC. He has an extensive repertoire of original songs and can also perform everything from traditional folk songs to more contemporary material. He is the leader of Canadian Celtic/Folk favourites, Fear of Drinking, with whom he has recorded four albums, and has played for years with Canada’s clown princes of musical comedy,

Prairie Wolfe is a native of Vancouver, BC. She got her fiddling start over 20 years ago, inspired by Canadian/Metis fiddler Anne Lederman. She has a rhythmic, driving fiddle style that blends well with Tim's guitar playing and gets toes tapping. Prairie also performs with Seattle-based French-Canadian band Podorythmie.

Hua Xia Multiculture Society has a primary mission of coordinating and implementing comprehensive educational, cultural and social programs designed to promote intercultural dialogue, awareness and respect for diversity.  

Through advocacy and cultural programs, we create opportunities for our clients and members to expand their cultural knowledge and appreciation.  We utilize our programs and support systems to provide an optimum developmental environment where all members may develop to the highest level of their potential within the intellectually and culturally vibrant community of Surrey, and the Lower Mainland of BC. 

Local “Yetiz” band has been performing Nepali folk songs at Surrey Fusion Festival for many years. They also perform and sing for many community programs.

The Dutch Network started as the Netherlands Association “Je Maintiendrai”, incorporated in 1965. The Dutch Network is a non-profit Dutch-Canadian Cultural Society based in Greater Vancouver, British Columbia. Events are organized to enable Dutch-Canadians to come together via entertaining venues to preserve, enhance, and celebrate their heritage, language and cultural traditions. 

We are proud we celebrated our 50th Anniversary in 2015. The Dutch Network extends a warm welcome to new immigrants and maintains a close working relationship with the Netherlands Consulate.