GISUN
5.30
Gisun 지선 is a multicultural Canadian artist. Having graduated from Berklee Valencia, her songwriting in both English and Spanish revolves around latin and soul-inspired music. Through her experiences navigating themes of identity, heritage and belonging, she creates community connectivity and healing through music.
Since 2017, she has released three EP's: Suspiras, Partes, and Fin in collaboration with musicians and sound engineers in New York, Valencia, Toronto, Vancouver, and Mexico. Her single release, Gracias a la Vida, has been featured on numerous CBC Music programs as well as on the Strombo Show. Gisun performed at Carnaval del Sol and Vancouver Pride Festival. On her album launch tour in Mexico, she opened for the iconic Aterciopelados and Los Rumberos.
FLAMENCOLIA DANCE COMPANY
8.00
Flamencolía Dance Company is led by dancer and choreographer Lia Grainger and accompanied by guitarist Nicolas Hernandez (Toronto), singer Carlos Lobo (Seville), and percussionist Gabrielle Lemseffer (France). This show is a tour send-off celebration, as the company departs for a tour of BC to present the Dora-Award nominated dance production, LA FORASTERA. The performance will feature a selection of choreographies and songs from that show.
ZARAH AEDMA & MARLENA NOVA
11.00
Zarah Aedma is a soulful vocalist, songwriter, self-taught guitarist and loop pedal artist. Her powerful, dynamic voice and emotional melodies beckon the listener to the deepest corners of their being to witness the majesty and mystery therein. With a lifelong practice in songwriting, she is skilled at portraying a variety of concepts, ranging from spiritual to deeply human, with finesse and clarity. Fitting within the broad genre of singer-songwriter, Zarah's music is rooted in folk, yet flavours of soul, medicine music, world music and jazz can be noted woven into her compositions. She is passionate about fusing music elements related to her own genetic heritage (Estonian, Lithuanian and Russian) with instruments which relate to global cultural tradition and are played throughout the world (such as skin drum). In this, Zarah honours the threads which unify us as a global people and pays homage to nature and humanity as one pulsing organism.
Marlena Nova is a versatile Canadian violinist and violist who’s artistic practice exists at the intersection of artist/composer collaboration, interdisciplinary practice and improvised sound. Her curious and globe trotting nature has brought her to playing at various music festivals around the world such as International Festival of the Adriatic, Montreal Contemporary Lab, Mostly Modern Festival and NEXT Festival of Emerging Artists among others. She was the winner of the 2022 NUMUS Emerging Curator Competition, culminating in a performance which included the premiere of an original composition for viola, spoken word poet and fixed media. Marlena has played professionally with various orchestras and ensembles throughout Canada and abroad, but currently makes her home in Toronto where she teaches and performs.