Performers

One of the most exciting young musicians to emerge from Western Canada, Emmett Jerome has established himself as a captivating performer with a world-weary voice that feels wise beyond his years. Rooted in the old-school troubadour tradition, he has traveled coast to coast, chasing songs and soaking up stories along the way. With a bluesman’s heart and a traveler’s soul, Emmett invites listeners into a world where tradition and youth collide. He made his solo debut in 2024 with Rocky Mountain Son (Light Organ Records).

Folk Star Arts Academy are a nonprofit organization that has been promoting, preserving, presenting, and protecting Punjabi culture through the arts since 2019.

Elevating the rhythm of Vancouver’s dance scene, Higher Ground Dance Company stands as a beacon of artistic excellence and cultural diversity. Nestled in the heart of Canada’s West Coast, our founder Natasha Gorrie leads a dynamic ensemble of street dancers, igniting stages with electrifying performances.

Kocassale Dioubate, from the Mandingo (or Malinke) tribe of Guinea, West Africa, is a descendant of his tribe’s djeliba (also known as griots)—traditional storytellers, entertainers, musicians, praise singers, counselors, and mediators. Griots are the keepers of oral history and tradition, known for their deep connections to spiritual, social, and political life.

Koca was born into this rich lineage of artistry and cultural knowledge, and has been playing music, creating songs, and dancing since early childhood—ever since he was old enough to walk.

Merlin is a 502-year-old wizard who loves performing magic—but sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned. Accompanied by “Smog,” a wise-cracking baby dragon who can do a little magic too, Merlin and his sidekick never fail to amaze and amuse kids of all ages (yes, adults love it too!). Merlin is actually Bruce Hunt, a comedy magician born and raised in East Vancouver, who has called Surrey home for many years. 

Ash Bubbles is a captivating bubble performer who transforms the art of bubble manipulation into enchanting visual experiences. With a passion for spreading joy, she creates mesmerizing displays of giant bubbles and intricate sculptures that delight audiences of all ages.

Bloco Energia is a high-energy drumming band that has been active for over a decade, bringing the vibrant Afro-Brazilian beats of Carnaval to Vancouver. Our music is bright, loud, playful, and colorful—it gets the crowds moving and brings together people who want to experience the magical energy of Carnaval, as well as Latin folks looking to reconnect with their roots while living far from home.

Coast to Coast delivers a powerful and authentic ’80s rock concert experience — a must-see for fans of high-energy live shows. Hailing from Surrey, Coast to Coast has quickly become one of Canada’s top tribute bands, gaining fans around the world through their performance videos on YouTube. 

Colin is the first-place winner of the 2022 Phil Jones Solo Bass Competition and the second-place winner of the 2021 BITE Bass Contest. He has been featured on George Collier's YouTube channel, which has over 800,000 subscribers. Colin’s debut album Reawakening and his most recent EP Colin Response have been featured in Bass Magazine and on CBC Radio.

Courtney Dawn Anaquod is a champion Métis jigger who lives in Saskatoon, SK. She is from the Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation on Treaty 4 Territory, located in the Qu'Appelle Valley in southern Saskatchewan. She identifies as Anishinaabe-Cree Métis.

Get ready to rev your engines and lace up your dancing shoes! Down n’ Dirty is here to electrify the stage with twang, rhythm, and the raw, unfiltered soul of authentic ’50s and ’60s Rockabilly and Oldies Rock 'n' Roll.

Dumpsta Dragons is a unique Asian duo that has performed hundreds of shows for children throughout B.C. and Saskatchewan. Alcvin Ramos is a recognized grand master of the Japanese shakuhachi and has also trained extensively on the didgeridoo with Aboriginal masters in Australia. 

Duniya Dance Academy was established in 2001 and offers both Bhangra dance and Bollywood dance. 

The Stars of the North Drum Group represents the Northwest Coast peoples of the Tlowitsis-Mumtigala Nation of Alert Bay, Turner Island, Tsakis in Port Hardy, Village Island on Vancouver Island, and the Stó:lō people of Seabird Island in Chilliwack, BC.

Stars of the North Drum Group was formed in August 2009 with the guidance of their Elders and the leadership of their matriarch and grandmother, all of whom shared their wisdom and knowledge, passing down stories to the drum group.

The Galactic Hobos are known for their raw, rhythm-heavy electronic music rooted deeply in funk. This Canadian duo has had their music featured in multiple Netflix series, as well as shows on Apple TV, TNT, and AMC.

His | Hers is a husband-and-wife musical duo blending jazz, folk, acoustic, and African influences into a rich, soulful sound.