Urban Mixer Blog

One of a kind all South Asian Canadian music festival expands across Canada

Vancouver, B.C., March 26th, 2008 –Vancouver will host RBC desiFEST, Canada’s only South Asian Canadian music festival, for the first time on May 3rd, 2008. RBC desiFEST showcases approximately 20 outstanding, local South Asian Canadian artists, gives them exposure and helps to increase their profile in the mainstream music industry. RBC desiFEST presents the very best in South Asian Canadian music and dance with contemporary indo-jazz fusion and world music, along with cutting edge DJs from the Asian underground music scene. The festival also features dance and music workshops, cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts vendors and traditional South Asian delicacies.

RBC desiFEST originally launched in Toronto in 2007 and was an overwhelming success! As a result, plans to expand the festival are underway, with a kick off in Montreal March 29th, 2008. This national event will feature a DJ competition and the winner will be invited to be the ambassador at the grande finale event in Toronto on May 31st, 2008. The festival’s second stop will be right here in our hometown, Vancouver, where there will be a 10-hour South Asian talent search contest. The winner of this contest will be invited to travel to Toronto for the grande finale event on May 31st, 2008.

Graham MacLachlan, RBC regional president for BC, said, “RBC is pleased to support RBC desiFEST and to see top South Asian Canadian talent being shared with a wider audience this year. We hope all of the dancers and musicians enjoy the festival and are inspired to continue performing.”

“TELUS and its team members are committed to give where we live,” said Rizwan Jamal, senior vice-president of Consumer Solutions at TELUS. “As such, we are proud to present an event like the RBC desiFEST which plays an important role in promoting and keeping alive the South Asian cultural richness across the country.”

Last year, RBC desiFEST featured headlining artists like internationally acclaimed indo-fusion duo JOSH, The Bilz, best known for their international hit single 2Step Bhangra, Canadian R&B sensation Deesha who recently picked up a 2007 JUNO nomination in the R&B/ Soul Recording of the Year category, rock band Zameer which was nominated for the ‘Best Independent Artist’ award at the 2006 Toronto Independent Music Awards, and internationally renowned dance group Shiamak. This year, performers will include master tabla player Trichi Sankaran, Friends of Raagas, Toronto’s #1 DJ Baba Kahn, katak phenomenon Monika Monga and the mesmerizing dancers from Kama Entertaiment. The 12-hour music extravaganza will end with an explosive finale featuring DJ Amita & Bollywood Grooves.

Audition details for RBC desiFEST can be found on www.desifest.ca or call Sathish Bala at 1 888 321 0006. For all other inquires including media, call Rina Gill at 778 688 4973 or email: rina@iccc.org

RBC desiFEST Vancouver presented by TELUS
Saturday, May 3rd, 2008
10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Water St. in Gastown
FREE Admission

For up to date information on artists, events and daily prize giveaways please visit us at www.desifest.ca