Performers

	THE HAINTS The Haints are an old-time band that started performing together in 2007 and have played festivals, concerts and camps since. Members of the band are: Erynn Marshall (Galax, VA) - fiddle, vocals, banjo-uke, Pharis Romero (Horsefly, BC) – lead vocals, guitar and Jason Romero (Arcata, CA) – banjo, guitar, lead vocals, banjo-uke. The Haints have just recorded their first CD project, Shout Monah, featuring Appalachian style fiddle and banjo music, old time vocal duets and more. The band has a penchant for obscure, old tunes and songs that are seldom heard in today’s day and age. We also play stringband tunes from the era of early radio and before. The word “haint” is a southern expression for a spirit or ghost… a suitable title for a group who is dedicated to playing old-time music that traces it’s roots way back. The Haints have gleaned inspiration and repertoire from a wealth of archive recordings as well as learned their music first hand within living folk traditions. From bluesy fiddle & banjo numbers, lyrical vocal duets to silver dagger ballads, http://thehaints.com/
	CORBIN KEEP As Emerson says, 'Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail'. Corbin Keep does just that. Originally from Seattle, Washington, Corbin Keep (the ‘WildCellist’) is a unique and gifted cellist, and a multifarious musician. A rich and diverse musical background began as a child with guitar, followed by the cello as a young adolescent. Corbin spent years on the road playing pop, rock, metal and even some country guitar and electric cello in bands, which brought him north to Canada, where he planted roots. Preferring acoustic cello over all of his other instruments, he began exploring the eclectic versatility of his instrument in earnest and, after a six year hiatus from being a full-time professional musician, Corbin returned to the scene with a new solo act featuring cello and voice. Since then, Corbin has been a frequent presenter at the annual New Directions Cello Festival leading workshops on alternative cello techniques, and a regular performer at festivals throughout the year in Canada and the US, including Sunshine Music fest, Vancouver Island Music fest and the Filberg festival, among others. Dan Silakiewicz wrote in The East Shore Mainstreet (Crawford Bay, BC) “ … on the topic of astounding, here’s an act for you: Corbin Keep. He plays the cello and sings, but that’s like saying the first rocket to the moon simply “went up”. His cello makes the sounds of a violin, guitar, bass, synthesizer, percussion and some sounds that defy categorization without any effects added. His lyrics are funny and he has a totally engaging personality.” Corbin responds to that saying, “You know when you’re in a kitchen and you’ve got limited ingredients, you’re not able to go to the store to get everything you want . . . the lima beans have to substitute for the fish…”, he laughs. "It’s a little bit like that for me. I like keeping the limitation of the acoustic cello.” “After hearing and seeing Corbin Keep, I can never again think of the cello in the same old way", says a presenter in Spokane, Wa. Corbin now calls Gabriola Island home, where he spends his days in his studio working on his third solo CD which is due to be released summer 2009. http://www.wildcellist.com//
	IMOGEN WHYTE Imogen Whyte, transplanted from England as a young seedling in ballet slippers, continued her love of dance through the snowbanks of Edmonton. Early training was further rooted at Toronto’s National Ballet School, Montreal’s Les Ateliers Danse Moderne and Ottawa’s Groupe de la Place Royale Imogen has appeared on the Bravo Network, Vancouver International Jazz Festival and stages of every size in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver as a dancer and improviser. She has brought dance interviews, ideas and reviews into print as guest writer for Toronto’s Dancecurrent Magazine and is currently writing about experiences traveling through former Eastern Bloc Countries in 2008. Childhood glories include presenting chrysanthemums to Dame Margot Fonteyn in London at the age of 5 and exchanging autographs at O’Keefe Centre with the Trudeau boys in 1977. CHRIS WRIGHT Apart from cutting his dirty dancing teeth on Stairway to Heaven at elementary school sock hops, Christopher Wright was first introduced to contemporary dance while completing a Kinesiology degree at The University of Western Ontario. It was this timely initiation to movement improvisation that swayed Chris from Human Anatomy and Physical Anthropology to pursue training in the Fine Arts Department at Simon Fraser University. Chris attributes his love of physicality to his history in competitive sports, and an unwavering obsession with human soft tissue. Within the world of elite sport, Chris played for Canada’s U17 National Soccer Team and has sporadically lived out of his car touring as a semi-pro squash player. He has worked professionally for various Vancouver based dance companies, including EDAM, Mascall Dance, battery opera and Dance Corps.
	HOLLY BRIGHT Holly Bright is a performer and dance educator who specializes in solo dance interpretation of works by established Canadian choreographers. She is founder/director of The Crimson Coast Dance Society (Nanaimo), an organization that supports the creation and presentation of professional dance events in Nanaimo, B.C. www.crimsoncoastdance.org
	THE MESSAGE "The Message" is Canadian composer/drummer James McRae with 6 of the finest upcoming and established musicians in B.C. We are going to celebrate, re-invent, and re-energize the brilliant musical legacy of Horace Silver. Marisha Devoin is a jazz bass player and singer who recently worked on the Carnival Cruise Line from the fall of 2008 into spring of 2009 travelling the world while making a living thru her music. She graduated in 2008 from Vancouver Island University with a 4 year degree in jazz studies.. She has a real passion for music and can be seen performing in venues on Vancouver Island. Phil Hamblin is a trumpet and piano player presently studying jazz at Vancouver Island University... He's very interested in composition and arranging and hopes to pursue a full time career in music upon completion of his studies.. He has performed with " The Message" since the winter of 2009 and is a real asset to the group... Dave McGrath ( a.k.a. Voodoo Dave) draws from the musical traditions of Africa, Cuba, and Latin America when sharing his passion for percussion. From the laid-back rhythms of Brazilian Samba to syncopated Afro Cuban grooves or hard driving West African Drum and Dance, Dave always seeks to find the place where music is life and life is music. James McRae I've been involved in music performance of a professional level for the past 28 years, give or take a few.. This past year (2008) I feel blessed to have played with a diverse group of great musicians including Dave Teichroeb, Miles Black, Gerry Barnum, Phil Dwyer, Monik Nordine, Pat Coleman and a number of other lesser known younger musicians deserving of wider recognition - James Darling, Nico Rhodes, Jeremy World and the "young" members of the group "The Message". I primarily play drums, but have ventured into doing gigs on piano in the past year... I've been involved in song writing since an early age, probably due the fact I love the writing process so much. Some of the songs I write have been released on CD's over the past 20 years. I'm also very involved in teaching at Long and McQuade and The Blues Undergound here in Nanaimo. I derive a great amount of inspiration and enjoyment in the process and have learned a lot through the teaching-sharing process. Larry Miller is an active performer and teacher on Vancouver Island. As a leader he has several CD recordings to his credit including the 2006 release of "Instance" with George McFetridge and James McRae. He has performed with players such as Phil Dwyer, Ian McDougall, Hugh Fraser, Campbell Ryga, Pat Coleman, Dave Robbins, and Brad Turner. As a free lance musician he is often called upon to perform by Dal Richards, noted big band leader in Vancouver since the 40's, and Chris Millington of Victoria. Miller has also performed music on various Cruise lines from 1999 to 2005 in various exotic locations around the globe. Cameron Wigmore is a tenor saxophonist, band leader and freelance musician raised in Victoria and currently living in Nanaimo. He has performed and recorded with bands in the genres of jazz, funk, swing, R&B, ska, rock and surf music in cities including Toronto , Edmonton and Vancouver. Cameron is currently pursuing his Bachelors of Music Degree at Vancouver Island University, building upon two years of study in Toronto at Humber College.
	DANNY SCHMIDT Austin, TX-based singer/songwriter Danny Schmidt is a writer's writer, with a lyrical depth drawing comparisons to Leonard Cohen, Townes Van Zandt, and Dave Carter. Upon winning the prestigious Kerrville New Folk award in 2007, Sing Out Magazine tagged Schmidt "the best new songwriter we've heard in 15 years." Just one man sitting alone on stage with his acoustic guitar and his poetry, in the timeless troubadour tradition, his musical influences draw from deeply-rooted Appalachian mountain gospel to haunted English balladry, from syncopated Piedmont country blues to vagabond 60’s protest folk-stumpery. But it all boils down to just great songwriting, in a singular style all his own. Not to be missed. http://www.dannyschmidt.com/
	COUSIN HARLEY PAUL PIGAT -GUITAR/STEEL/VOCALS Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Paul relocated to the West Coast in the early 90’s and has earned a reputation as one of the best guitarists around. Although extremely versatile, from Delta Blues to classical music, Paul’s “Cousin Harley” style is deeply rooted in the playing of Les Paul, Charlie Christian and Link Wray with a modern hotrod twist. He has shared the stage with greats such as Taj Mahal, Michael Kaeshammer, Mae Moore, Lee Aaron and the Blind Boys of Alabama as well as recorded with the likes of Mint Records artists Carolyn Mark and Neko Case to name a few. Inexhaustible energy is what Pigat is known for. He’s the high octane that fuels the trio. KEITH PICOT -DOGHOUSE BASS/VOCALS Unforgettable is what a performance by stand-up bassist Keith Picot is. There have been some great bass players thoughout the years but a player who gives more of himself and is such a joy to watch is decidedly harder to find. Whether singing and leading his own band, or supporting the talents of such bands as Cousin Harley, The Twisters and Juno Award winner Kenny"Blues Boss" Wayne, he always gives 110 percent. With a hard hitting slap style all his own he can drive a beat like the devil, then equally and effortlessly draw out the sweet tones of a saint. You are guaranteed pleasure when watching Keith Picot do what he loves to do. JESSE CAHILL -DRUMS Born on Vancouver Island and raised on a steady diet of blues and bluegrass, Jesse is Cousin Harley's newest member. After a six year stretch studying music at McGill University in Montreal, Jesse decided to return to the West Coast to pursue his two greatest passions: playing drums and bass fishing. Since arriving in Vancouver he has played just about every kind of music with as many different artists. His resume includes David "Fathead" Newman (Ray Charles Band), Jim Byrnes, Long John Baldry, Dr. Eddie Henderson, PJ Perry, Bobby Shew, Harpdog Brown and many others. He's young, he's aggressive and we like to call him 'Wilden'! http://www.cousinharley.com/
	THE KERPLUNKS Dinah D and Tina Jones are joined by their friends Phil Wipper and Aaron Cadwaladr, making The Kerplunks a four-piece live band! The Kerplunks play catchy tunes guaranteed to get kids engaged, singing along and joining in on the actions. Between these four musicians, they play over a dozen instruments, both live and on their award winning recording. The Kerplunks are committed to educating kids through musical creativity and pursuing a a career in music. The Kerplunks have been busy playing some of Canada's finest music festivals and touring schools. Along with touring, Dinah and Tina teach a popular preschool program on Gabriola Island, B. C. called "Melody Makers". The popularity of this program grew, thus The Kerplunks were born. The Kerplunks have been called Canada's hippest Children's Entertainers! http://www.thekerplunks.com/
	SWEATSHOP UNION Two-time Juno Award nominees, Sweatshop Union, are in the midst of a 100+ city North American tour in support of their recently released fourth album Water Street (“Unmistakably soulful hip-hop” - Urb Magazine’s Next 100). They are rapidly becoming known for their distinctly musical conscious hip hop and a live show far beyond the average rap concert. With tens of thousands of sales of their critically acclaimed albums they have toured relentlessly and performed with the likes of The Roots, Black Eyed Peas, Ozomatli, Jurassic 5, Blackalicious, De La Soul, Swollen Members and the Living Legends; building a dedicated following. Sweatshop Union are on the rise. http://www.sweatshopunion.com/
	LLOYD ARNTZEN Clarinetist, soprano saxophonist and vocalist Lloyd Arntzen has been arranging, playing and researching vintage jazz from the '20s and '30s for four decades. The style's continuing survival in Greater Vancouver owes a lot to the elder Arntzen. He founded the Jazz Band Society in 1958 and the series of jazz band balls he started helped create the Hot Jazz Club. Lloyd is a regular fixture on the trad. jazz scene in the Lower Mainland as leader of The Red Onion Rhythm Kings, and as feature soloist with Sweet Papa Lowdown and Dixiel and Express. He has played with Pete Fountain, Clark Terry, Chris Barber, and Bob Wilber. He has performed at major jazz festivals in Norway, Vancouver, Chilliwack, Victoria, Pender Harbour, Sacramento, CA, Sun Valley Idaho, Helena, Montana, and Tucson, AZ. Lloyd is a respected songwriter, and his song, "Where The Coho Flash Silver" is sung by generations of BC schoolchildren. http://www.lloydarntzen.com/ TOM ARNTZEN "A very good singer, lots of range" -Tom Jones Keyboardist and vocalist Tom Arntzen has been a full-time pro musician all his working life. He has toured to Europe, Asia, and throughout Canada and the U.S. He has been featured at Victoria, Pender Harbour, and Gibson’s Jazz festivals. As a stage performer and musical director, he's done everything from Carousel and The Rocky Horror Show, to the '50s of Red Rock Diner and Forever Plaid. As a bandleader he covers that and just about everything else for the corporate event circuit. He's a versatile studio musician, and recently he sung chorus vocals for the new movie musical "Reefer Madness". And onscreen, he landed a principal role in the film. He was also vocal coach to Will Ferrell on the hit movie Elf. Tom composed, musically directed and sang on the national C.B.C. TV specials the Western Alienation Comedy Hour (Leo Award winner) and Comedy Night In Canada.
	CHAMPAGNE SPARKLES Champagne Sparkles is cheeky and cute, she's the extra glittery girl-next-door. She doesn't take herself too seriously and has a ridiculous amount of fun on stage. Her acts range from classic and sexy to contemporary and even downright funny! Ms. Sparkles creates a unique blend of burlesque with a touch of traditional, a dash of daring contemporary, and a whole lot of glitter! In the words of Kitten Kaboodle "Not all that glitters is gold.... she puts the Ass in Class and the T&A in Talent - let's see if she can put bubbles in YOUR pants!!!" She's a founding member of the Cheesecake Burlesque Revue and has been shaking her tatas across the globe, from Victoria to as far away as Berlin (and lots of places in between)! It seems she's always been a Cheesecake, but her origin is a mystery, she just appeared one day, sent from the stars beyond the moon. Her effervescent personality and twinkling smile will have you floating on air! Her favourite drink is champagne (of course), and she loves anything sparkly! She lives to perform and wants to get you out of your seat dancing! Let's shake her up, she'll pop YOUR cork!!!! http://www.cheesecakeburlesque.com/
	KATHY MCINTYRE Kathy McIntyre has been performing and recording as a soul singer for over twenty years. Musical theatre came calling and Kathy never looked back. She is probably best remembered for playing Rhonda in “Supreme Dream”, Lucy in “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown” and most recently, Yitzhak in “Hedwig & The Angry Inch.” Her delight with costume and comedy took her singing career into a cabaret setting where she found even more joy in connecting with her audience and making them laugh. Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. - Confucius