Performers

Started in 1996, we are a Vancouver based Latin Dance Company. We perform locally, at festivals, and all over the world for competitions.

Purveyors of revelry and sonic pleasure since 2018: a party band for all occasions and predicaments, serving the lower mainland and its environs. While still a relatively newish ensemble, this young group has already released two E.P.s (available at bandcamp.com). Made up of young brass musicians from New Westminster, and directed by Mr. Steve Clements, this New-Orleans-meets Klezmer-Balkan Brass band is a mobile unit that can entertain at the drop of a hat. The band varies from 8 to 24 players depending on the predicament. Expect the unexpected!

ounder of the African Friendship Society, Jacky Essombe –aka Jacky Yenga– is a performer, TEDx speaker and best-selling author, and a messenger for the healing wisdom of African villages. She teaches how to use the power of community to heal and access joy through rhythm, movement and connection. Kocassalé Dioubaté (Guinea/Senegal), Aly Traoré (Guinea) and N’nato Camara (Guinea) are joining Jaky in this hear-pounding performance that showcases traditional rhythms, songs and dances from West and Central Africa. Join the Village and experience a deep sense of belonging, shared joy, unity, and friendship. 

Darren, a St’at’imc from Ts’kway’laxw First Nations, and Buddy have been students and practitioners of Blues music in the Vancouver area and abroad for a number of years, and have teamed up to show their love of this music.

The members of Timba Cartel are an All Star cast of multicultural musicians that collectively have been involved in Grammy and Juno award winning recordings and have played Festivals at home and around the world. Timba Cartel is ready to take their music to the world and bring the party wherever they go. The future looks bright for this Vancouver based Latin music force.

From Mexico City’s Ollin Kan World Music Festival to Sarawak, Borneo’s Rainforest Festival, Iskwew Singers (pronounced Is-kway-yo) are on the move! Formed in Vancouver, the ensemble was created to perform in 2006 in Pau, France for the First International First People’s Festival and Forum. Iskwew Singers are a trio of First Nations women who create and perform songs in the plains tradition that tell stories of the connection to the earth, the Creator and one another. Coming from the Cree, Nation Shakti Hayes is joined by Métis singer Sandy Scofield and Cree singer Kelsey Wavey – each has an active career in other forms of music and art. 

Uzume Taiko is West Coast Canada’s premiere professional taiko drumming group. Performing both nationally and internationally since 1988, the group performs their unique West Coast Canadian taiko drumming styles to receptive audiences the world over. Uzume Taiko has presented concert tours in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Channel Islands, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Japan, the United States and in all corners of their homeland, Canada. From the Western and Mid Arctic to both coasts and many points in between, Uzume has also played at folk and jazz festivals throughout the Nation.

Brazilian Swag Dance Group is a cultural group, their performance brings culture from the time Brazil was still a colony up to the latest trendy rhythms along with Capoeira performances from Abalae Capoeira.

The founding members of Phase III have traveled extensively to many exciting places spreading the warm, tropical sounds of the music they love as they go. Now, having settled in Canada, they have decided to fulfill a dream, bringing the sounds of sunshine and lazy days to the challenging climate conditions of North America. The intrigue of the steel drums always draws a crowd, and the music itself, whether a familiar West Indy song, or classical, calypso, rhythm and blues, funk, and the ever popular rock’n roll, is irresistible. And, of course, they are always expanding their repertoire with new melodies.

Higher Ground Dance Company is in its 5th year and season and is based out of Vancouver. Founded and created by Natasha Gorrie, Higher Ground’s program is unlike any other street dance company in the lower mainland. Focusing on personal growth to help you level up, build your own voice and identity, and build knowledge of history with a true understanding of the culture of street dances.

Training in fundamentals of various street dances but focusing on Hip Hop styles, Breaking, Popping & locking.

Non Sweet is a Japanese-pop music group local to Vancouver, Canada, that aims to empower, inspire and bring joy to people all over the world, especially girls.

Heavily influenced by the Japanese idol culture, Non Sweet brings an interactive musical experience combining live vocals and dance. All of their original music is written in collaboration with their Japanese sound producer, SHUN, whereas the members take the creative lead on lyrics, choreography and concept for each release. The group have performed at various music festivals and cultural events in Vancouver and were musical guests at Anime Expo 2022 and Northwest Idol Fest 2022.

Semiah is a Kanien'keha:ka (Mohawk), Turtle clan electro RnB artist from Six Nations, ON. Now based out of Toronto, Semiah's songs radiate the energy of an artist with an international heart who grew up touring around the world: from art festivals in the Australian outback to the beaches of Trinidad since the age of 7. Semiah's distinctive vocal sound is supported by melodic and production elements of RnB, Electronic, Lofi, Hip-Hop, Psychedelic-rock, and Dream pop. 

In a country that loves its Celtic music, it’s no surprise that Vancouver’s Pat Chessell has
become known as one of the most exciting folk artists in Western Canada. Pat’s rootsy vocal
style, charismatic stage presence and expert musicianship (guitar) are making for an
ever-growing audience of enthusiastic fans. 

While his mostly original music falls solidly under the broad umbrella of ‘Celtic’, Pat’s
range is prodigious and eclectic. It’s been variously described as “upbeat Celtic influenced
Canadian folk/pop”, and “moving mid-and-up-tempo contemporary Celtic”, among other labels. His tunes have also, on occasion, known to be tinged with Americana influences.

M’Girl music is an Indigenous women's vocal and hand drum ensemble that's been together for over 20 years. M’Girl loves to sing and blend their voices.  Managed by Renae Morriseau, she has been gifted songs through ceremony and composed hand drum songs in Cree and Saulteaux, her family's language(s). M'Girl, is a collective of urban Indigenous women from different nations of Turtle Island. M’Girl celebrates the restoration of women in song and provides a lens into how each M'Girl honours their cultural perspectives on these lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tlseil-Waututh.  

Edgar is a Vancouver-based, flute player and songwriter who makes heartfelt harmonious music and new age fusion.  Edgar Muenala was born in 1968 in Cotacachi-Ecuador. He is a pan flute extraordinaire who combines ancient tunes with new age sensibility. Edgar relates to music much in the way of an ongoing journey. In February of 2010, he was featured at the stage of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Singing since the age of seven, Héctor Darío González Aguirre known as Vercenzo has a very rich and diverse background in music that ranges from singing Salsa/Pop music to performing arias by Mozart. A graduate from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor’s in Music, Vercenzo has performed in music festivals all over Canada.