New Westminster's River Market will ring out with music on Sunday, July 1 at this year’s Canada Day celebrations.
Quayside Voices, a local acapella group will be performing in the afternoon. The group has a longstanding relationship with River Market, according to Stephanie Lam, who formed Quayside Voices.
“River Market has been very supportive of us and let us busk down by the River Market, and brought us on to do some performances at New West Craft,” she said.
Quayside Voices will be sharing the stage with three other musical acts the group recommended. Lam said they were asked if they knew of anyone else who might like to perform.
“And I said, ‘you know what, I probably do because there is a lot of talent out here and it’s just knowing where to look,’” Lam said. “We’re all musically trained and educated, so I’d like to think we have a pretty good ear for what would be a good performance for that type of venue and environment and setting and whatnot.”
Rob Fillo, executive director of the Richmond Arts Coalition, performed at Concerts at the Park at Garden City Park in Richmond, as did Quayside Voices. After listening to his music, the group decided to put him forward for the Canada Day event.
“We thought he’d be great,” Lam said.
Sara and Eric, two East Coast vocalists, have sung with Quayside Voices on separate occasions. Sara has a beautiful voice, Lam added.
“They’re just a great addition to our day,” she said.
And the final act they recommended was another acapella group, based in Victoria.
“Fifth Street we are very excited for,” Lam said. “It’s kind of rare to find dedicated acapella vocal bands. A lot of people do acapella, which is great. But bands who actually put together their own arrangements, it’s very difficult, because you have to notate every part, you have to work on blends, all the kind of technical jazz.”
The four acts will perform in front of the Paddlewheeler Pub on the boardwalk between 1 and 5 p.m. on Canada. For more information on what’s happening on Canada Day at the River Market, go to bit.ly/2MpTL55.
