Cultural fusion

It’s a first, but don’t expect Surrey’s inaugural Fusion Festival to start small.

In fact, the three-day event, starting the evening of July 18 and continuing through July 20 at Holland Park, is billed as the city’s largest multicultural celebration, complete with big-name performers, dozens of cultural pavilions, plenty of ethnic food, displays and family activities.

While headliners such as Jully Black, The Chieftains and Jazzy B have garnered much attention, there are also plenty of other international and local singers, dancers and entertainers headed for the five Fusion stages.

KS Mahkan, African Guitar Summit, Kiran Ahluwalia, Destineak, Stone Foxx, Zaki Ibrahim and Elite Bhangra Dancers will kick-start a huge bhangra party Friday evening highlighted by global sensation Jazzy B.

Surrey-based Wheat in the Barley will open for Celtic legends The Chieftains Saturday, with additional Celtic favourites such as The Cottars, Stepcrew and Nathan also taking the stage. Nearly a dozen other groups – including a delegation of artists from China featuring actors, traditional dancers and singers, cross-talk artists, acrobats, and face-change artists – will be on stage throughout the day, beginning at 11 a.m.

And Sunday, the last day of the festival, features a stellar lineup including Latin singer Alex Cuba, Hayley Sales, Pascale Picard, Delhi 2 Dublin and Ache Brasil – all leading up to a finale with Juno Award-winning recording artist Jully Black.

There will also be 60 Expo-like pavilions on site, representing 30 different ethnic groups. Some will involve colourful displays and information, while others are offering food from their culture (you can check out menus online). Pavilions representing countries from Armenia to Thailand, Jamaica to Portugal, and El Salvador to Pakistan will take part.

Mary Rukavina, Surrey’s manager of filming and special events, said Surrey had no trouble finding people of various backgrounds to take part.

“When Edmonton was named cultural capital several years ago, they were able to get 11 cultural groups... and we were able to get 30,” she said.

Families and children will be able to make drums and other instruments and noise makers over the three days, and on Sunday at noon, drummer Bobby James from the group Destineak will lead a mass drum-in called Drum as One for anyone wishing to participate.

“It’s like an international language, drumming,” said Rukavina.

Official opening ceremonies will take place Saturday, preceded by a “parade of colours” where people in different ethnic dress, performers, and artists will weave their way through the site to the main stage.

Also included in the local party will be a Surrey Heritage Walk, marking B.C.’s 150th birthday, featuring six exhibitions with historic photos and live actors representing events such as Surrey’s first municipal hall meeting and the first Whalley Little League team.

It’s expected more than 60,000 people will attend the Fusion Festival. Surrey city council hasn’t yet made a final decision whether the event, which is free for the public, will be held annually.

The Surrey Fusion Festival takes place July 18-20 at Holland Park, located at King George Highway and Old Yale Road. It runs from 4-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. For more information, check out www.fusionfestival.

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sreynolds@surreyleader.com