One of B.C.’s most diverse musical and cultural events gets underway this weekend. The Surrey Fusion Festival will light up Holland Park on Saturday (July 20) and Sunday (July 21), which is between the King George and Surrey Central SkyTrain stations.
The free festival was launched in 2008. This year, it features a long list of performers from around the world, reinforcing Surrey’s international flavour.
The first day includes Sudan Archives, a.k.a. Brittney Denise Parks, a California-based American violinist, singer, and songwriter. She draws inspiration from several African musicians, including Sudanese violinist Asim Gorashi. Pitchfork included Sudan’s single “Home Maker” as one if its Best New Tracks. The song appeared on her 2022 album Natural Brown Prom Queen, which generated tremendous buzz in the New York Times and other publications.
That’s not the only African-flavoured music on the first day. Mauvey, who was born in Ghana and is now based in Vancouver, will also perform. His critically acclaimed electro-pop, hip-hop, and Afro music isn’t easily categorized. That’s because he also includes rock, punk, pop, and alterative sounds on his tracks. Like Sudan Archives, Mauvey performed in the past at the SXSW Music Festival.
A third out-of-the-box opening-day performer is Semiah, who describes herself as a Kanien’kehà:ka (Mohawk) pop electro-R&B songwriter, producer, and multidisciplinary artist. She plans to drop her new single, “Withdrawals”, at the Surrey Fusion Festival.
“The track, co-produced with Montreal’s Teleh0rn, features innovative metallic elements that align with Katana sword fight in the official video that Semiah directed, choreographed and created wardrobe for,” the Surrey Fusion Festival website states. “From the moment she steps on stage, audiences fall in love with this generous and effervescent performer.”
Dance troupes perform at Surrey Fusion Festival
Other Day 1 highlights include the reggae and Afrobeat group Gisto and the Grateful Living, singer-songwriter ZADA, rising star Jade LeMac, and the incomparable Missy D.
There will also be dances paying tribute to a host of cultures. For example, the first day of the festival features Roots Peruvian Folk Dance, Mamakeish No.1 K-Pop Academy, Métis jigger Fergus Dalton, Jafra Dabke Team, Mexico Vivo Folklore, Pan African Dance Heritage, Surrey International Folk Dancers, White Thunder Dance Theatre, Brazilian Swag, Mduno Arts, and the Magical Kingdom Sing & Dance A-Long Show.
Watch Jade LeMac’s music video for “Constellations”.
Day 2 includes several performers who trace their roots back to India, including the Vancouver sibling singing group The Deos and hotshot producer DI Goddess. One of the big draws is the much-admired U.K.-based Punjabi Bhangra singer Malkit Singh. His hit “Hind Mahi” was featured on the Bend It Like Beckham soundtrack.
The Surrey Fusion Festival also includes pavilions highlighting arts and food from more than 50 countries. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on both days.
Watch Malkit Singh’s video for “Kali Ainak”.
To learn more about the Surrey Fusion Festival, visit the website. Follow Pancouver on X (formerly Twitter) @PancouverMedia and on Instagram @PancouverMedia.
