The Burrard Drydock Stage 11:00 – 4:00 pm

11 am – 11:30 am: Vancouver Veterans Naval Band

The Vancouver Naval Veterans Band is unique in Canada, the Commonwealth, and, likely, the entire world.  That’s because the founding members of their 21-piece unit served in either the Royal Canadian Navy or Canada’s Merchant Marine during World War Two. Many were involved in the latter stages of the grim Battle of the Atlantic, serving either in escort warships or in transports, respectively, as Canada and the U.S. provided the vital convoys of foodstuffs, materiel and personnel that constituted Britain’s lifeline.  The band’s founding members—four of whom still are active performers—formed the unit 17 years ago. Soon after, to preserve their proud heritage, they began recruiting younger naval veterans plus civilian musicians. These additions have contributed to the unit’s four-part harmony presented by three-valve trumpets, baritone and bass horns, glockenspiels and a comprehensive drum corps.

The band averages some 15 appearances per year, either on the march or in concert, at major local, national and international events. The band adds pomp and pageantry to any event in which it performs. In naval parlance, they were always “Ready…Aye, Ready!”  So, too, is the accomplished and unique Vancouver Naval Veterans Band of 2009!

11:45 am – 12:30 pm: Shona Le Mottée Band Featuring Tim Readman

This four piece Celtic band is made up of the cream of Vancouver’s Celtic scene. They are lead by Juno Award-winning fiddler/vocalist, Shona Le Mottee (formerly of The Paperboys and Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance). Born on the tiny Island of Jersey in the English Channel, Shona has toured extensively all over North America both performing and teaching her expressive and rhythmic fiddle style. Joining her is Tim Readman (formerly of Fear of Drinking) on guitar and vocals. Emerging from the North-east English folk scene, Tim has earned a reputation as an outstanding songwriter, guitarist, singer and interpreter of traditional and contemporary folk songs. The Mad Pudding Rhythm section fills out the band with Boris Favre on bass and foot percussion and Allan Dionne on the drums. Boris, born in France specializes in Jazz and World music. Allan has studied orchestral percussion, Jazz and Arranging. The performers in this group have all played at major festivals worldwide and each has several recording credits to their names. Come and check out this funky Celtic-pop Vancouver super-group.

12:45 pm – 1:30 pm: Chibi Taiko

Chibi Taiko has the distinction of being Canada's first youth ensemble. Formed in 1993, with the goal of passing the unique and dynamic art of Japanese drumming on to the next generation of Asian Canadians, the group is made up of a dozen youth, ages six to 22. The group's philosophy emphasizes cooperation, leadership, responsibility and spirituality, in addition to the physical and musical discipline needed to build a cohesive and dynamic taiko ensemble. Chibi Taiko will travel to Japan this summer for a cultural immersion experience and to study taiko with a multi-generational taiko group in Onomichi, near Hiroshima.

www.chibitaiko.bc.ca

1:45 pm – 2:45 pm: Babe Gurr

"Gurr sings with a husky sensuality, delivering her lyrics with both urgency and warmth…”

 Marke Andrews, Vancouver Sun

This folk/rock singer-songwriter has been turning heads for years with her blend of roots/blues/pop. Recent winner of the Sonic Bids Nashville Song Contest, Babe’s new release Chocolate Lilly has been garnering rave reviews in Canada and the US.  Her music has been compared to the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt and Shawn Colvin, yet she still retains her own unique sound and style.

“Babe Gurr is the sort of talent who doesn't come along all that often, and her star is on the rise. It's only a matter of time before Gurr's star rises above the Canadian Content Rule and she truly becomes an International artist”.  Gary Allen (The Charlie Daniels Band, JJ Cale)

 www.babegurr.com

3:00 – 4 pm: Big Bang Jazz Band (north shore band member)

The Big Bang Jazz Band is a traditional jazz band comprised of a talented group of young musicians who are committed to continuing the tradition of authentic early jazz, while bringing their own unique style to the music. Founded in 1998 by clarinetist Colin Farquhar, the band has evolved from a high school group to a high-energy professional ensemble. They are at the forefront of a new wave of young traditional jazz musicians intent on continuing the tradition and taking the music to the next level.  The Big Bang Jazz Band is fronted by Bria Skonberg, who brings her fiery trumpet playing to a front line that includes Colin on reeds, Evan Arntzen on saxophone and Luke Matheson on trombone. The rhythm section really cooks with pianist Vashti Gray, Josh Roberts on banjo and guitar, Georgia Korba swinging the bass lines, and Jeremy Roberts on the drums. Their live performances are exciting, spontaneous and always thoroughly entertaining. They have filled venues at festivals from Victoria to Sacramento to Sun Valley.

www.bigbangjazzband.com

St.  Roch Stage 11:00 – 4:00 pm

11 am – 11:45 am: Norman Foote

Drawing from his own experiences, Norman creates songs and stories & props that delight the ears and eyes. He weaves imaginative word play and gentle with great melodies all to great effect.   Norman Foote, born Norman Mervyn Barrington-Foote claims his name forced him to develop a sense of humour at an early age.

Norman has created a very special niche with his irreverent comedy and skillful music. He has written and recorded songs for Disney Records, Shari Lewis, CBC syndicated TV show "Scoop & Doozie" to name a few. Norman has received four Parents Choice and NAPPA Gold Awards, Pacific Music Industry Awards, Juno Nominations and Socan’s Songwriter of the year award. His music videos include “One Thousand Pennies”, “Lets Sing a Song,” and “The Progress of Man”. 

He has had the undeniable pleasure of performing with symphonies, festivals and in concert halls throughout North America including the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony, London Symphony, Montreal Comedy Festival "Just For Laughs", Galway Festival- Ireland, and literally countless others.

www.normanfoote.com

12:00 pm – 12:45 pm: Bobs & Lolo

Bobs and Lolo inspire their audiences with an appreciation for the natural world through music, movement and make-believe. Since debuting in 2003 they have delivered hundreds of performances throughout British Columbia and across Canada, connecting with thousands of children and families in high-energy, musical adventures. Growing up together on Vancouver Island, Robyn Hardy (Bobs) and Lorraine Pond (Lolo) first performed with each other in a cappella vocal jazz and classical piano studies. Creating the duo, Bobs & Lolo, has allowed them to combine their passion for performing with diverse academic backgrounds and a mutual love of teaching. Bobs and Lolo’s debut album, Sea Notes, was released in 2004. Guaranteed to get children floating like jellyfish, diving like otters and dancing like dolphins, Sea Notes features a variety of musical genres, including jazz, rock, blues and pop. Their second album, Musical Adventures, was released in December 2006, and met immediate success with songs about enjoying the outdoors (My Bike, The Great Outdoors, Little Breeze), conserving wildlife (Wish for a Fish—in celebration of the Fraser River Sturgeon) and going green (Recycle with Me).

1:00 pm – 1:45 pm: Shona Le Mottée Band Featuring Tim Readman

This four piece Celtic band is made up of the cream of Vancouver’s Celtic scene. They are lead by Juno Award-winning fiddler/vocalist, Shona Le Mottee (formerly of The Paperboys and Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance). Born on the tiny Island of Jersey in the English Channel, Shona has toured extensively all over North America both performing and teaching her expressive and rhythmic fiddle style. Joining her is Tim Readman (formerly of Fear of Drinking) on guitar and vocals. Emerging from the North-east English folk scene, Tim has earned a reputation as an outstanding songwriter, guitarist, singer and interpreter of traditional and contemporary folk songs. The Mad Pudding Rhythm section fills out the band with Boris Favre on bass and foot percussion and Allan Dionne on the drums. Boris, born in France specializes in Jazz and World music. Allan has studied orchestral percussion, Jazz and Arranging. The performers in this group have all played at major festivals worldwide and each has several recording credits to their names. Come and check out this funky Celtic-pop Vancouver super-group.

2:00 – 2:45 pm: Norman Foote

See above

3:00 – 4:00 pm: North Shore Celtic Ensemble

The North Shore Celtic Ensemble is a culturally diverse group of young gifted musicians from the Greater Vancouver region of British Columbia. They perform lively original Celtic-based orchestral and folk music using string instruments, percussion and a selection of wind instruments. The students work and perform directly with professional musicians and musically minded peers, providing them with a rich musical environment that is not available through the public school systems. NSCE is a Non-Profit Society and a Registered Charity. Artistic Director Claude Giguère has 20 years of experience as a professional violinist and teacher, and Artistic Director Jay Knutson has over 25 years of experience in performance and musical workshops. A founding member of Spirit of the West, he recorded several CDs with this group. 

www.nscelticensemble.com