Performers

From the West Coast of British Columbia, Jocelyn Pettit is a vibrant, award-winning fiddle player, stepdancer, and singer of Scottish, Irish, French, and Malaysian heritage. With uplifting energy and an engaging stage presence, Jocelyn weaves the Celtic and folk traditions of her roots into her music.

John Welsh & Los Valientes deliver an irresistible blend of Latin and folk rhythms that get crowds dancing and spirits soaring. Known for their high-energy shows and multicultural sound, the band brings together infectious melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and a global message of unity and joy.

Lady Sinncere is an up-and-coming MC in the Vancouver Music Scene. Since childhood, she has performed locally, nationally, and internationally with her family as a cultural dance group, The Chinook SongCatchers. She performed on behalf of the Squamish Nation at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies, with 3.5 viewers internationally. She is also a First Nations storyteller, facilitator, and cultural ambassador.

Le Plaisir means pleasure in French. The name truly reflects the group's passion and dedication to bringing out the “Truth, Virtue, and Beauty of Life” through their performances.

Matt Cook-Contois is a singer and multi-instrumentalist from Misipawistik Cree Nation in northern Manitoba. He began his music career as a traditional fiddle player, competing in contests across Western Canada, before transitioning to playing in indie bands and cover bands in Vancouver.

As a singer, fiddle player, and guitarist, Matt performs in a variety of projects, but his main focus is his alternative rock band, Eagle Ex Machina.

Merlin is a 502-year-old wizard who loves to perform magic—but sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned.
Accompanied by Smog, a wisecracking baby dragon who can do a little magic too, Merlin and his sidekick always amaze and amuse kids of all ages (yes, adults love it too!).

Nico and Liat are professional dancers and instructors who have been dancing and performing for many years at major events around the world. They will present an innovative combination of Rumba Columbia and Flamenco. This fusion of two iconic styles makes their performance truly unique.

Watch as cultural pavilion organizers march from the ML Emporio Celebration Stage to the Concord Pacific World Music Stage together.

Pasión Venezuela Dancing Group was created in March 2024 by a group of Venezuelans who are deeply passionate and proud of their culture and traditional dances.

The group’s main purpose is to showcase the rich variety of Venezuelan dance styles and rhythms through performances at cultural festivals and special events.

Pat Calihou is a Métis artist and one-man band known for his wild slide guitar and driving blues. He loves to play original music, heartfelt songs, and classics from the seventies.

 Phase III Steelband has been entertaining audiences across Canada for over 35 years. The band primarily plays locally for Music and Cultural Festivals including the Surrey Fusion Festival, Caribbean Days Festival, Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival, Richmond Multicultural  and other local events Like Canada Day just to name a few.

R.E.D. (Road Engine Dreams) is an Indigenous rock band with deep roots and a raw sound. We write original music that tells stories shaped by dreams, memories, and lived experience. Our songs come from the road behind us—and the one we're still on—driven by a sound that doesn’t back down.

Rangla Punjab Arts Academy is a folk arts institute established in 2016 and based in Surrey, British Columbia. We are a community-based organization committed to serving our community through diverse projects. We are also deeply dedicated to promoting our Punjabi Virsa, Maa-Boli, and culture.

Shawn Bullshields was born and raised in Southern Alberta and is a member of the Blackfoot Nation. In 2010, he began pursuing music professionally in Vancouver. Since 2015, Shawn has been performing full-time on Granville Island. He is a singer and guitarist with natural charisma and a professional delivery, offering a repertoire that spans pop, blues, country, and folk.

Terrance is a 19-year-old 6-time Canadian National Champion. He's been yoyoing since he was 7 years old. Terrance competes on national and world stages; his current ranking is 10th in the world. He plays two types of yoyo: 1A and 4A (offstring). Terrance makes yoyoing look effortless and captivating. Learn a bit about his yoyo background and enjoy his amazing tricks! Terrance will be competing at the World Yoyo Contest in Prague this summer.
 

The Calihou family is a Métis family whose ancestors were voyageurs and Métis leaders of their time. They honour them through the stories they tell and the songs they sing.