Urban Conspiracy Cabaret

Colin Browne

Colin Browne is a writer, filmmaker and a professor in The School for the Contemporary Arts at SFU. His most recent book is The Properties (Talonbooks, 2012). 

Gamelan Gita Asmara

Gamelan Gita Asmara was founded as a student ensemble in1996 by Michael Tenzer but has since evolved into a community arts society. Using a new kind of Balinese gamelan set called Semaradhana, the group learns Balinese repertoire on an intensive practice schedule. Members bring long-term focus and commitment to rehearsal and performance. Over the years, Gita Asmara has commissioned several new works from its first guest artistic director Dewa Ketut Alit (in residence 2001-04), its current director I Wayan Sudirana, and composers Colin MacDonald and Jocelyn Morlock. Gita Asmara is a dedicated collective committed to mastering this challenging music together, the rewards of making something of aesthetic and social value, and the joy of sharing this with their audiences.

High Society

High Society is an unstoppable, dramatic rockin' Soul and Blues band, eager to fill your eyes and ears with euphoric excitement and inspiration. Based out of Vancouver, B.C. the band's unique and contemporary take on old school performance has been heard in theaters, pubs, cafés, street corners and on the radio across Western Canada. They have been building a regional reputation for close to two years playing a blend of R&B, Soul, Blues, Folk, Hip Hop, and Jazz. High Society is fronted by intrepid Adam Farnsworth on keys and vocals alongside the inimitable, Chelsea D.E. Johnson on vocals and guitar. Their solid rhythmic foundation is held down by Cory Sweet on baritone saxophone, tuba and various wind instruments; and Kenan Sungur on drums, upright bass, and vocals.

Veda Hille

Veda Hille was born August 11, 1968 into a nice family in Vancouver, Canada. Started playing piano in 1974. Childhood interests included plants, books, microscopes, science fiction, and psychiatry. Attended art college in the late 80′s and started writing music. Now makes records, writes musical theatre, scores films, teaches songwriting, tours, and generally keeps busy.

Paul Keeling

Pianist Paul Keeling grew up in San Diego, California, in a musically gifted family hearing live classical chamber music played by his own siblings and rehearsals of the University of California San Diego Madrigal Singers (directed by his father) in the living room. In his teens, he became interested in jazz and eventually became a member of west coast trumpet star Gilbert Castellanos' quartet for many years during the 1990's. After a three year stint playing in the U.K., he moved to Vancouver, B.C. in 2006 and recently recorded his debut CD "The Farthest Reach" with a top-notch Canadian quintet. Keeling's musical language is informed by bebop and 1960's era hard bop, but also reaches into the more stratospheric colorings of ECM recording artists such as Kenny Wheeler, Pat Metheny and Keith Jarrett.

Project Limelight

Project Limelight is about inspiring children to look inside themselves and discover their inner strengths, explore their hidden talents, develop confidence and form lasting friendships.  Above all, Project Limelight is about having fun!

Motivated to give back, sisters Maureen Webb and Donalda Weaver founded Project Limelight to support the East Vancouver community where they were raised.