Muévete is a marimba ensemble that loves to get people on their feet and moving! The band has been playing together for many years, during which they have performed at festivals (Vancouver World Music Festival, Vancouver Island Music Festival, Richmond World Festival, Surrey Fusion Festival, and many more) and concerts around the province. This year, the group has been working hard on writing original songs that they can’t wait to share.

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!

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.

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

The musical group SweetPan is all about Canadians playing the steel drum, 'pan', the only acoustic musical invention of the 20th century, & clearly a major Caribbean contribution to world culture. We specialize in Caribbean rhythms on the many different sizes of drum & have played for dances, weddings, corporate events, community events & interactive concerts since 1994. Our leader & arranger, Bernard Fernandes, draws on his vast repertoire & experience of the Caribbean to lend both an innovative & authentic touch!
Musical repertoire includes Caribbean, Reggae, Soca, Salsa, Pop and many others.

Malkit Singh MBE is a Punjabi Bhangra singer, and is most famous for the songs "Gur Nalo Ishq Mita," "Tootak Tootak Tootiyan," "Kurri Garam Jayee," as well as recently, "Chal Hun." Whilst "Jind Mahi" featured in the blockbuster "Bend It Like Beckham" soundtrack.

Singh (originally born Boparai) was born and raised in the Hussainpur Village, near Nakodar, district Jalandhar, Punjab, India.

He has recently released "21st chapter" featuring the hugely popular and classic "Jago Aaya". Singh and his backup band Golden Star have toured in twenty-seven countries.

Timba Cartel’s captivating high-energy music, transports audiences to tropical lands with the distinct sound of modern Salsa called Timba This dynamic evolution of Cuban popular dance music is a fusion of mambo, son and Afro-Cuban folklore with an added dash of Funk and R&B, the end result is a fiesta of rhythm and melody that gets the audience dancing, singing and above all having fun. It's party time when this 9 piece ensemble that features rich, resonant vocals, punchy brass and turbo loaded percussion section hits the stage. 

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.

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.
 

Founder 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.