Performers

Cheri Maracle is a Haudenosaunee/Irish actress, singer, playwright, and host from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. She has been performing on stages across Turtle Island and abroad for over 25 years and has many TV, stage, and music credits to her name.

Cheri’s musical background began with hand drum music with the Indigenous women’s group Tiyoweh. She then penned two original albums, Closer to Home and If I Am Water, which garnered several nominations in the Indigenous music industry. Her third album, Ache of Love, is a jazz compilation, reflecting her forever love for jazz music. Cheri had the privilege of portraying Mildred Bailey at the First Ladies of Jazz concert at the Celebration of Nations Gathering in St. Catherines. Most recently, Cheri played the Waterloo Jazz Fest and the TU Jazz Fest in Ontario with her quintet. Cheri’s music can be found on iTunes and Spotify.

Upcoming, Cheri will appear in Women of the Fur Trade at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and Tartuffe at the Arts Club Theatre in Vancouver.

Enjoy cultural dance performances from around the world on Connect FM's extravagant stage located near the rides. Win hundreds of gift cards and prizes all day long!

Activities include: Shoot the Hoop, Spikeball Game, Talent Show, Open Mic, and DJ Floor.

Elise Boulanger is a haunting presence from Vancouver and Nanaimo, Canada, on Coast Salish lands. This Chamber-Pop artist captivates audiences with her haunting avalanche of a voice. Boulanger, a bilingual operatically-trained environmental advocate, creates cinematic dreamscapes with her band, which includes double bass, cello, violin, and drums.

Boulanger's newest release, “Spirit Seekers,” showcases her electronic entrance. This composition is for the seven-part docuseries Spirit Seekers, which shares rumored ghost stories from locations around Vancouver Island. Director and Medium Paula DeMontigny possesses a special ability to sense and communicate with the spirits who roamed these areas.

Performing for over 15 years, she began touring in 2021 across Western and Eastern Canada, as well as Vancouver Island and the Kootenays, as she continues to grow in the Canadian market. Boulanger's sound is reminiscent of Kate Bush with her angelic yet raw dramatic artistry and has been described as "definitely one to watch" by the Times Colonist. Her actions are bold and beautiful as she takes advantage of the stage to teach audiences how to adapt to climate change.

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

Gisto and the Grateful Living blend reggae, funk, and soulful grooves into an electrifying live experience. Led by charismatic frontman Gisto, this dynamic band captivates audiences with infectious rhythms and uplifting vibes. 

Renowned for their high-energy performances and positive messages, they transform every venue into a dance-filled celebration. Join the Grateful Living movement and let the music elevate your spirit!

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.

Traditional Palestinian dance and music team based in Seattle, Washington. All former students of the University of Washington, we came together to spread our love of the culture and celebrate our heritage.

Introducing a brand new kids' show from the creator of Beauty Shop Dolls (www.beautyshopdolls.com) - The Magical Kingdom Sing & Dance A-Long Show.

Take your family on a delightful journey to the Magical Kingdom with Princess Nadia and Princess Amy. Get up on your feet and SING and DANCE to all the best fairytale hits in this fun-packed adventure.

This new production is inspired by all the children (and sometimes adults!) who have been coming to the front of the stage to follow along with the Beauty Shop Dolls' dance choreography over the years. 

Introducing a brand new kids show from the creator of Beauty Shop Dolls (www.beautyshopdolls.com) - The Magical Kingdom Sing & Dance A-Long Show.

Take your family through a delightful journey to the Magical Kingdom with Princess Nadia and Princess Amy. Get up on your feet and SING and DANCE to all the best fairytale hits in this fun packed adventure.

This new production is inspired by all the children (and sometimes adults!) who have been coming to the front of the stage to follow along to the Beauty Shop Dolls dance choreography over the years. We thought it was time to create a show just for them.

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. 

Mexico Vivo Folklore was established in 2002. Their goal is to share and preserve their Mexican culture through the art of dance. 

What to expect: Experience the vibrant culture of Mexico through a series of captivating folklore dances from different regions of Mexico. Be mesmerized by the colorful costumes and the lively music that bring the rich heritage of Mexico to life.