What would have happened if Bob Marley had spent time soaking in the musical traditions of Delhi? Or if Canadian rock legends Rush fell in love with the ancient traditions of ghazal and light classical Indian music? Enter Indian Standard Time!

IST is an electrifying collective of musicians from Canada, India, Malaysia and the UK, all teaching and working at the Naad Centre for the Performing and Visual Arts in Surrey, BC, Canada, in the heart of the largest Punjabi community outside of India.

IST dances with North Indian classical traditions and yet defies description – an alt/jam/prog/funk/reggae/Indian fusion band creating a live experience unlike any other! IST has been playing local festivals and concerts in the Vancouver area, and is now ready to take it to the world… Are you ready for Indian Standard Time?

Sadé Awele, the Nigerian-born musical visionary, is a captivating force in the realm of R&B and afro-soul. Her music draws deeply from her heritage, combining bold innovation with influences from legends like Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Beyoncé, and Lauryn Hill.

Awele's remarkable talent earned her the 2020 Female Artist of the Year award by AFAM. She was named one of the "Top 100 Black Women to Watch in 2023" by CIBWE and celebrated as a "rising soulstress" by Wonderland magazine. 
Sadé Awele's talents extend into the world of film, with her single and music video, "Intuition," gaining acclaim at the Atlanta Film Festival.

Awele's international presence was solidified through a successful European tour, where she received accolades from overseas fans. Now, she's gearing up for a Canadian tour to celebrate the release of her upcoming EP.

Sadé has shared stages with renowned artists like Juno winner Piere Kwenders and Grammy winner Christone "Kingfish" Ingram. She has also left her mark by performing the national anthem at the inaugural Black History Month hockey event organized by the NHL at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, and the first-ever Monster Jam event at Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta. 

An explosion of colour, energy and music !

Aché Brasil represents the culture, the traditions, the beliefs, the music and the movement of the people of Brazil.  Equal parts music, dance, spectacle, Aché Brasil has played to enthusiastic audiences and critical acclaim from all over North America receiving a recent nomination for, "Live Performers of the Year" at the West Coast Music Awards. The musicians and dancers of Aché Brasil exhibit a rare combination of authenticity and excellence in their work, which is presently unmatched in North America. 

Ricardo is an artist, composer, and music producer based in Vancouver, BC. Born in Mozambique a few years after the civil war, Ricardo immigrated to Canada with his mother when he was just 5-years old. His music is an honest reflection of his journey, blending personal storytelling with boundary-pushing sounds. Ricardo's songs have to deal with trauma; both relationally, familial, and generational trauma, weaving the personal into the universal. Ricardo believes music is the medium for not only healing, but for communicating beyond what we normally do with language. From intimate Sofarsounds shows to festival main stages, his music invites you to join him on an unpredictable, unforgettable ride. Ricardo’s concerts are more than just a set—they’re an experience.