Blind and Low Vision-Friendly
Through rhythm, poetry, and sound, we honour the sun as a force of life, a symbol of strength, and a reminder that every new day carries the power of renewal. Expect a night of soulful melodies, powerful beats, and stories that blaze like fire — unfiltered, unapologetic, and alive.
Featuring
Kinfolk Nation, Black Pace, Kin Balam
MC
AKA Sublime - Iris
6:10PM - 6:20PM: Opening
6:20PM - 6:40PM: Léral
Léral is a singer and creative storyteller, born in California and raised in South Africa. Her music lives somewhere between soul and pop — a nostalgic blend she affectionately calls “soup.” Through songwriting, Léral brings everyday moments to life in vivid, expressive ways, turning the ordinary into something felt, seen, and heard. Inspired by the likes of Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber, and Tierra Whack, Léral brings playful energy, honest emotion, and a little mischief into everything she creates.
6:45PM - 7:05PM: Ivanna Samuel
Ivanna holds a strong passion for raw and vulnerable storytelling, with a focus on stories about mental health and self-expression. In 2023, Ivanna was selected as a delegate for the 2023 Black Women Film! Canada at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and she is a recent alumni of the VIFF Catalyst Mentorship Program 2023 cohort. Through the ‘Fabienne Colas’ and Netflix's Being Black in Canada Program, Ivanna has recently completed her second short film and first documentary “The Book of Black Voices”, which tells the story of two Black poets (Adonis and Imbali) as they grapple to find community in Vancouver. She is currently working on her narrative debut titled, “Looking Glass”. Ask her about it!
7:10PM - 7:30 PM: Trickster Agenda
7:35PM - 8:00PM : Black Pace and Kuluma Bongo Band
Black Pace is a dynamic and versatile artist whose musical journey spans diverse genres, from hip-hop to African folk. Born in Malawi, in the southeastern region of Africa, she has cultivated a unique sound that reflects her rich cultural heritage. Black Pace has graced the stages of numerous concerts, including the Victoria African Festival and the Harambecouver Folk Festival. She has opened for acclaimed African musicians such as Ruger, King Promise, and Mayorkun, and shared the stage with international acts like Diplo, Sauti Sol, and Major Lazer. COLLABORATORS: Shael Wrinch, Chris Herbs
8:05PM - 8:30PM: Jarah Terrell-Dobbs
Jarah creates unique and simple jams with a funky bass and soulful vocals <3 This guy thinks in music. Join him and live in the moment as we think about the dangers and confusions of life from the point of view of a nonsensical twat.
8:35PM - 9:00PM: Kin Balam
9:05PM - 9:25PM: Kinfolk Nation - Birth of a New Jazz
Something like a beautiful whisper. A whistle in the night and a song in the light, Kinfolk Nation creates dreamspaces through the exploration of a New Jazz- the sound of Ubuntu.
Kinfolk Nation is an artist coalition documenting the experiences and stories of contemporary Africans/ Caribbeans/ Spirits, and the kindred spirits they cross paths with. We are building a nation, people! We are building a nation. Everybody is welcome but only if you have love.
9:30PM-10:00PM: AKAsublime
AKAsublime is an Artist, Music producer, DJ and Sound Composer based somewhere in “Canada” / AKAsublime is also the original founder of Unity Arts Collective, a space and platform for and by QTBIPOC Artists and other folks who enjoy Arts. Outside of Unity Arts Collective they founded Floating Thoughts which is an Art project consisting of Sound/radio, video, photo/ writing and other Arts & Dopeclass which is a clothing brand and Market.
TOLU AYOKA
AUDREY SIEGL
JOHN WALKUS
MARCELA J VILLACA - land and labour
Land and labour is a large canvas that celebrates the joy and collective power of food: local, diverse, native, and shared.
RUSSNOOR SIHOTA - ਧਰਤੀ (Earth)
ਧਰਤਿ (Earth) is a series of four pieces comprising four elements of the Earth - ਹਵਾ (air), ਅੱਗ (fire), ਪਾਣੀ (water), and ਧਰਤਿ (earth). The pieces were constructed using predominately foraged and earth-based materials to explore a decolonized approach to our connection to the climate and nature. Materials included foraged rose petals, green matter, tea leaves, geru (ochre), henna, kohl, indigo, turmeric, and similar natural media. In choosing to work with organic, self-created inks and pigments, I wanted to convey a non-westernized approach to climate justice in contextualizing the Earth not as a commodity, but a symbolic representation of inherent creativity and artistry. I sought the Earth as inspiration, viewing the planet as a thriving soul, one whose interconnectedness can provide, shape, reform, and construct. I employed traditional print-making methods and painting techniques inspired by the Punjabi tradition of phulkari - a folk embroidery style that often conveys floral and organic motifs. In my exploration of these materials and using these canvases as a vessel for storytelling I aimed to understand nature as an evolving and changing spirit. As these are natural materials, I understood that fading and reshaping was an aspect of Earth's will, and to be a part of the Earth is to understand it on its own terms.
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