MOHSEN NAMJOO – Cancelled
Iconic maverick Iranian musician and composer Mohsen Namjoo returns to Vancouver touring for his latest new recording “Motantan (Grandiloquent). Seamlessly blending the Classical Persian setar with electric guitar, and rock and blues vocal techniques with Persian avaz (singing), he fuses the ancient with the current.
BLACK DOG STRING QUARTET with JOHN KASTELIC – Cancelled
The Quartet present a two-part performance "Folk Songs & Brahms". For the first part, they will perform Brahms' stunning String Quintet No. 2. The 2nd part of the evening will feature the folk songs of John Kastelic (singer/composer) for voice and string quartet. Erasing the lines between classical music and contemporary folk music, these songs sparkle with ingenuity, thoughtfulness, and a breathtaking lyricism.
“Mystery of Love” Persian Concert
“Mystery of Love” is an awe-inspiring traditional Persian music concert centered on the works of one of Iran’s most prolific musicians, Saeed Farajpouri. He is a master of the Persian spike fiddle, Kamanche and has enjoyed a prolific international career which spans over 30 years. He is joined by the impeccable renowned vocalist Mahdieh Mohammadkhani, and members of Vancouver’s Vashaan Ensemble (Saina Khaledi– Santour, Ali Sajjadi – Oud, and Hamin Honari – Percussion, to present his new compositions.
QUIQUE ESCAMILLA – Solo Show
Winner of both a Juno award and Canadian Folk Music Award, Quique Escamilla breaks down language barriers through his powerful voice and passionate delivery while fusing traditional Mexican styles of music with modern sounds of rock, reggae, ska, pop, jazz, cumbia, bolero, and a variety of other diverse sounds from Latin American and the Caribbean. His lyrics carry powerful messages that are inspired by and support various social and political issues such as human rights, immigration reform, global conservation, anti-racism, anti-oppression and indigenous rights.
Amir Amiri with Richard Moody
Inspired by the diversity and fluidity between their respective Persian and western classical and jazz training, Amiri and Moody have created an engaging and distinctive sound fusing elements of traditional Persian music with jazz, classical, Indian, and modern spiritual styles.
TABLE SONGS FESTIVAL 2019
Inspired by “Supra”, the Georgian tradition of gathering around a feast table and participating in folk songs, music, and dance, we bring this experience to Vancouver showcasing four cultures’ different ways of celebrating community life, featuring Georgian, Hungarian, Serbian, and English/Canadian traditions.
Constantinople’s “In the Footsteps of Rumi” – Victoria
Featuring an exceptional 8-piece ensemble of musicians, Montreal’s Constantinople takes us on a journey into the luminous universe of Rumi’s timeless poetry about love and existence. Kiya Tabassian, artistic director of Constantinople, has set Rumi’s work to music, with the collaboration of Tunisian singer and multidisciplinary artist Ghalia Benali.
Novalima – Direct from Peru
Started by four friends from Lima with a shared passion for traditional Afro-Peruvian music and global DJ culture, Novalima stands in the common ground bridging past and future, uniting tradition and innovation.
Constantinople “In the Footsteps of Rumi” & The Marrow
Featuring an exceptional 8-piece ensemble of musicians, Montreal’s Constantinople takes us on a journey into the luminous universe of Rumi’s timeless poetry about love and existence. Kiya Tabassian, artistic director of Constantinople, has set Rumi’s work to music, with the collaboration of Tunisian singer and multidisciplinary artist Ghalia Benali.
Lemon Bucket Orkestra
From Toronto, this multi-award winning 12-piece Balkan-Ukrainian-klezmer-gypsy-party-punk-superband are a no-brakes, freewheeling carnival of the sounds of old Europe.
TRI-CONTINENTAL Guitar Trio
Bill Bourne, Lester Quitzau and Madagascar Slim present a truly unique and critically acclaimed sound that is soulful and present, intense and atmospheric. There are no musical boundaries present in this one-of-a-kind blues / folk / world music mélange.
HUUN HUUR TU – Victoria
The whistling of the high-mountain wind forms eerie overtones and postmodern statement. The repeated thrum of a string against wood and hide turns into a meditative, evocative figure straight from the avant garde. The descendents of isolated Siberian herdsmen make serious, strangely universal music out of some of the planets quirkiest acoustics
HUUN HUUR TU – Vancouver
The whistling of the high-mountain wind forms eerie overtones and postmodern statement. The repeated thrum of a string against wood and hide turns into a meditative, evocative figure straight from the avant garde. The descendents of isolated Siberian herdsmen make serious, strangely universal music out of some of the planets quirkiest acoustics
LA CARAMELITA FLAMENCO COMPANY – “Nritya”
The North American premiere of La Caramelita Flamenco Company in "Nritya" - a Voyage of Rhythm, Music and Dance from India to Spain, featuring an international group from Spain, France and Canada.
Melawmen Collective – Cheko & the Lion Rockers
Launch Party for the Koksilah Festival (Cowichan Valley/Duncan), featuring Indigenous hip-hop soul-folk group The Melawmen Collective, and roots-reggae band Cheko & the Lion Rockers.
ROBIN LAYNE & THE RHYTHM-MAKERS
A Vibrant blend of Latin jazz, Mexican folkloric, Afro-influences and cinematic compositions, led by world music marimba player Robin Layne.