Performers

Gilakasla nugwaum Tu Tuwasguituk 
Hello we are Stars Of The North Drum Group representing our North West Coast people of the Tlowitsis Mumtigala Nation of Alert Bay and of the Kwakiutl people of Fort Rupert on Vancouver Island, and of the Stolo people of Seabird Island Chilliwack BC. 
Stars of the North Drum Group was born in August of 2009 with the guidance of our elders sharing their wisdom, and their knowledge, and passing down to us their stories that our mother LaDonna Wiks Joseph Hindmarch puts into her own written songs in English implementing our Native Kwakwala Language.

Yoko Matsuno was born in Gifu prefecture, Japan and started taking dance lessons when she was 4 years old. She liked it so much that she decided to proceed with the intensive study to master the art form through the Nishikawa school of Japanese classical dance. In 1962, she received her “natori” (professional dance name), Nishikawa Kayo. Yoko not only dances but also plays the shamisen, a three-stringed instrument used for accompanying dance. In 1973 she became a certified shamisen player specializing in the “nagauta” style and received another stage name, Katsuyuya Kineya.

In 1976, she started teaching Japanese dance to members of the Japanese-Canadian community. The following year, she began teaching “matsuri-ondo” (festival dancing) for the Powell Street Festival and the Japanese-Canadian Centennial celebration. (She has lead the cultural impact of this art and introduced it to virtually people all over Canada.

Through dance and kimono dressing, Yoko has been introducing Japanese culture to the Canadian community for many years, and has contributed to the enrichment of the greater community.  As recognition for her 40 years of activity, Yoko was the recipient of the 2016 Nikkei Place Community award and 2018 Kiyukai Distinguished Services Award.

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 story-tellers, entertainers, musicians, praise singers, counselors, and mediators, those who keep and preserve the tribe’s oral history and tradition, known to have deep connections to the spiritual, social, and political powers. Koca was born into this inherited lineage of arts and entertainment, as well as social skill, and has been playing and creating music, as well as dancing, since his early childhood, ever since he was old enough to walk.

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, we create opportunities for our clients and members to expand their cultural knowledge and appreciation.  We utilize our 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.
Our cultural expression group dedicates to encouraging the participation in the performing arts. We provide the opportunity for members to develop and transform from the stage to life.

Local “Yetiz” band has been performing Nepali folk songs at Surrey Fusion Festival for many years. They also perform and sing for many community programs.

Affiliated with Keri's Highland Dance Studio in White Rock, B.C, The Wee Drams is a traditional Highland dance company with a modern swish of the kilt. Previously known as Two Wee Drams, the performance group has since expanded and is comprised of B.C Provincial Representatives, dancers who performed with The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Highland Dance Team, and championship level technique. Performing in White Rock, Vancouver, and everywhere in between, The Wee Drams aim to promote Scottish and Celtic culture through Highland dance. 

Megan will be showing traditional big house dance as well as hip hop dances.

 

A three-time Canadian National Dance champion, Karima Essa is Vancouver’s very own Bollywood star. An incredibly charismatic and passionate performer, choreographer and instructor, she has used her one-of-a-kind Bollywood talent to entertain diverse audiences at festivals, theatres and in schools across Canada.  In 2014, her love for Bollywood took her to the screens in Mumbai, India, as a two-time finalist on Omni TV’s reality show, Bollywood Star. With style, grace and a flair for the dramatic, she has been captivating adult and young audiences for decades.

Since first showcasing her Bollywood Star School show in schools in 2018, she has performed this show in 200 + schools. Karima’s new focus is on celebrating that all bodies can dance by bringing the Body Positivity movement to Bollywood Dance in schools and communities. Karima is also completing her Education Assistance certification and is interested in exploring how dance can help improve socio-emotional skills in children with autism or other special needs

Jirong graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Since arriving in Vancouver in 1988, Jirong has performed for the Canadian Governor General Concert as an erhu soloist and showcased his talent across Canada and the U.S., including appearances on Rogers TV and CBC radio programs. As the master of Chinese bowstring instruments, he has collaborated with many multicultural instrumentalists and is highly involved in the interdisciplinary arts in Vancouver. As a founder of the Canadian Chinese Music Society and the artistic director of Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble, he has dedicated himself to bridging Western classical and contemporary music with Chinese instruments. His efforts have received praise and acclaim from Asian and Northern American audiences alike.

Boris Sichon was born in the Ukraine, where he finished Musical High School, in the study of percussion instruments. Boris is the owner of a unique collection of ethnic musical instruments he has compiled travelling around the globe. His collection now comprises over 200 rare and unique musical instruments.

Yuki the Juggler, from Cause & Effect Circus, is a Japanese Canadian entertainer based in Vancouver, Canada. In his almost two decade career, he is best known for his interactive juggling acts, collaboration shows, and freestyle dance fusion. Yuki’s achievements not only include 1st place prizes/awards but connecting the local community of misfits by producing events, serving on the board of organisations and sending students to circus school. He shows up at festivities, big and small around the globe. Juggling is his way to connect and communicate with the world.

V3 is a group comprised of primarily young Vietnamese individuals whose primary purpose is to retain and promote Vietnamese culture.  V3 was formed in the fall of 2006, and since then, has been actively involved in community events.  V3 started out as a small group and soon after expanded to include individuals from different ethnicities who shared the same vision, goal, and passion.  The group is well recognized by the Lower Mainland community.  Activities carried out by the group have made positive changes through collaborations with other ethno-cultural organizations, broad community-based and government agencies.  Today, V3 is comprised of more than 50 members between the ages of 10-40, and is supported by parents and various organizations.

Parade of Culture

Watch all of the cultural pavilions march throughout the festival before the Welcome Ceremony on the Main Stage.

Youth Cooking Showdown

Join us for a head-to-head culinary battle featuring Surrey youth for the first Cooking Showdown on the brand-new Cultural Cooking Arena. Chefs will need to make the most delicious meal to appeal to our panel of judges. Every meal will feature a different secret ingredient to challenge the competitors. Come cheer on your friends and family for their chance to be the next Cooking Showdown champion