Performers

Billy Joe Green is a Bear Clan Anishinabe. In the true Indigenous linquistic concept of international law his territory is where he lives, travels and wherever his language is spoken.

Becoming one of Canada's premier blues guitar slingers did not come easy. He worked with the determination that would frustrate most musicians; patiently, diligently working to find a place for his music. He has been described as "An incredibly talented, diverse, well-traveled musician'" by the Scene Roots & Blues magazine. The description is well-earned.

Former male model for Elite Fox Meriläinen sat in their drums while his younger brother Cole provided the bass lines as well engineered and mixed the project.

During the recording of the Nadjiwan album ‘Star Nation’, Marc and his two sons recorded several tracks of instrumental dance music for fun to pass the time. It was later that they realized they had a collection of songs that could use lyrics and a vocal melody.

Pat calihou Métis artist is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in slide guitar and Métis blues.

Stars of the North, are a drum group representing the North West Coast people of the Tlowitsis Mumtigala Nation of Alert Bay and the Kwakiutl people of Fort Rupert on Vancouver Island, and the Stolo people of Seabird Island Chilliwack BC.

The Git Hayetsk Dancers are an internationally renowned dance group led in partnership by artist and carver Mike Dangeli (Nisga’a, Tsimshian, Tlingit, and Tsetsaut Nations) and Dr. Mique’l Dangeli (Tsimshian and Tlingit Nations), Assistant Professor in the School of Creative Arts at the University of the Fraser Valley.  

Git Hayetsk means “people of the copper shield” in Sm’algya̱x, the language spoken by the Nisga’a, Tsimshian, and Gitxsan Nations. The copper shield is the highest form of ceremonial wealth shared among their people as well as other First Nations along the Northwest Coast. Their dancers are bonded by their connections to the Sm’algya̱x speaking peoples with distinction in their family ties to the many other Nations in Northern British Columbia, the Yukon, and Southeast Alaska. Since 1999, they have shared their songs and dances at ceremonial and public events in urban and rural communities through Canada, the US, and abroad including Austria, Malaysia, Germany, and Japan.

Winner of the Showcase Showdown 2023, Ojibway comedian Brenda Prince talks about the absurdities of the real world with her unique jokes. 

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.

MAMAKEISH is the only professional K-Pop dance academy in Vancouver, specializing in training talented students. MAMAKEISH offers a range of courses, starting from beginner-level K-pop dance classes that anyone can take, to a trainee program that incorporates the training system of Korean entertainment companies, providing an experience that cannot be found elsewhere in Canada. MAMAKEISH also has a performance team dedicated to various events and shows. 

Fergus Dalton is a Métis dancer who performs and teaches traditional Métis Jigging all across the Lower Mainland. Starting from a young age, Fergus began learning from Lisa Sheppard as one of the Maple Sugar Jiggers. Since then, he has adapted to solo performing and teaching, and carries on the cultural tradition, interlacing stories and history into his performances.

Folk Stars Arts Academy Society (FSAAS) is a registered not-for-profit society It was founded in the beginning of 2019 and is a member of CID (The International Dance Council) since 2021. A group of talented and experienced arts enthusiasts came together
to form the platform which has a mandate of promoting, preserving, performing, and presenting the Punjabi culture and providing a platform to different cultures and bringing the communities together. Our mission is to create an environment for everyone to showcase their inner art and provide an equal platform to everyone despite their history and background.

Hua Xia Multiculture Society has as a primary mission coordinating and implementing comprehensive educational, cultural and social programs designed to promote intercultural dialogue, awareness and to respect for diversity. Through advocacy and cultural programs, they create opportunities for their clients and members to expand their cultural knowledge and appreciation.  

They utilize their 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 in Surrey, and Lower Mainland of BC.
 

Affiliated with Keri's Highland Dance Studio in White Rock, B.C, The Wee Drams is a traditional Highland dance company with a modern swish of the kilt. Previously known as Two Wee Drams, the performance group has since expanded and is comprised of B.C Provincial Representatives, dancers who performed with The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Highland Dance Team, and championship level technique. Performing in White Rock, Vancouver, and everywhere in between, The Wee Drams aim to promote Scottish and Celtic culture through Highland dance. 

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.

Founded in 2017 in Vancouver, the Anemos Greek Dance Group of the Messinian Brotherhood of BC is a dedicated group committed to preserving and presenting traditional dances from Messinia and other regions of Greece. Anemos is very active in the community, frequently hosting events and fundraisers to support their group and initiatives to foster the education of traditional Greek dances.

Most recently, eight Anemos dancers traveled to Toronto to learn dances and music from four different regions of Greece at the Klironomia Hellenic Folklore in Canada Conference.

They are very excited to perform dances from the Greek Islands for you all today!

APPARE Yosakoi Vancouver,  is a newly founded Japanese dance team in Vancouver! They dance to light up the city of "RAINcouver" and bring smiles, energy, and joy to people. The name of the group has double meanings: the characters for APPARE (天晴) mean "clear the sky and sunny," and "あっぱれ" is a word people shout out after seeing an excellent performance in Japan. We hope you enjoy their performance and shout out "APPARE" together!

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