Edmonton Winds

Sunday • 12:00 pm –12:45 pm | Main Stage (119 Ave & 93 St in the Grassy Field)

Since our inception 45 years ago, our mission statement has always been “Performing the best in wind band literature.” We are dedicated to promoting the wind band as a serious art medium, through the performance of challenging, high-quality repertoire. We have developed
a strong reputation, and augmented it with our standards of excellence in performing, musician’s experience, and bolstering the aspirations of young music students.

Funk the Matriarchy

Saturday • 8:00 pm – 8:45 pm | Main Stage (119 Ave & 93 St in the Grassy Field)

Where rhythm meets rebellion, emerges Funk the Matriarchy – the soul-stirring band on a mission to amplify the voices of women in funk, soul, and R&B. With a contagious energy that ignites dance floors and sparks social change, this ensemble is a positive force to be reckoned with. This 7 piece, powerhouse group plays a mix of chart topping female hits and some hidden gem women artists. Through carefully curated set lists, they strive to diminish inequality and celebrate the trailblazers who have shaped the sound of these genres. Featuring members of King Muskafa, Second Hand Dreamcar, The Superband, Hi-Phoniqs, and Mocking Shadows, you can be sure you’ll be groovin’ all night and funkin’ it to the man!

Alex Kusturok

Saturday • 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm | Takwakin Village (91 St & 118 Ave in the Grassy Space)

Saturday • 6:45 pm – 7:00 pm | Main Stage (119 Ave & 93 St in the Grassy Field)

Growing up, Alex (3rd Generation fiddle player)  followed his mother Patti to Old time dances around Manitoba where he was enriched with the Métis fiddle from a very young age. By age 7, the passion for music became apparent and fiddle became the focus of Alex's life.


En grandissant, Alex (joueur de violon de 3e génération) a suivi sa mère Patti pour danser à l'ancienne au Manitoba, où il s'est enrichi avec le violon métis dès son plus jeune âge.  À l'âge de 7 ans, la passion pour la musique est devenue évidente et le violon est devenu le centre de la vie d'Alex.

Derina Harvey Band

Saturday • 5:45 pm – 6:45 pm | Main Stage (119 Ave & 93 St in the Grassy Field)

The Derina Harvey Band is an Edmonton-based Celtic-rock group originally from Canada's east coast. Derina’s vibrant personality takes centre stage with her humour, engaging storytelling, and powerful vocals all backed by an amazing instrumental ensemble and rich blend of harmonies. The band received an East Coast Music Award in 2024 for "Entertainer of the Year", solidifying their reputation as a ​high-energy group with a live show​ that leaves many an audience out-of-breath and hollering from their seats! The band has played hundreds of shows across Canada and the US, sharing their songs and stories with audiences across the continent from Newfoundland to Alaska. Their latest album, “Waves of Home”, explores themes of connection and of perseverance; themes that serve as backdrops for stories that pull from the band’s own experiences and from Canadian history.

Bree Harris

Saturday & Sunday • 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm | Takwakin Village (91 St & 118 Ave in the Grassy Space)

Saturday • 5:30 pm – 5:45 pm | Main Stage (119 Ave & 93 St in the Grassy Field)

Bree has Community Addictions Training from Nechi Institute and a Child and Youth Care diploma from Lakeland College in Vermillion Alberta. As a performing artist Bree loves to sing and has created two hand drum albums with her family. The album consists of contemporary round dance and healing songs. She loves to bead and sews traditional regalia, apparel and jewelry, her craft work can be found on her Facebook page - Bree Designz.

Marena Colombia Dance Group

Saturday • 5:15 pm – 5:30 pm | Main Stage (119 Ave & 93 St in the Grassy Field)

Who is Marena? We are a folkloric dance group that was born from the love for dancing and the desire to share our Colombian cultural roots. At the beginning of the summer 2015, we decided to join forces and skills to create the group. In Marena, dancers have a space to create together, share many laughs and be part of a community where dance is a medium that has allowed them to dream together. We even sewed our own dresses and they were designed by one of our group members, Liliana Betancur. Since then we have performed in different community and cultural events that allow us to share the joy of dancing traditional Colombian music.

Marten Borch

Saturday • 4:45 pm – 5:00 pm | Main Stage (119 Ave & 93 St in the Grassy Field)

If the Borch Brother’s music style were to be personified, the heart and soul would be East Coast Fiddle music with a spine of old tyme fiddle. The head would be folk and each appendage would be reaching into jazz, swing, ukrainian and celtic.
The Borch Brothers are Rigel (fiddle), Marten (guitar, vocals, harmonica and
kick-drum) and Garnet (accordion, piano and vocals). They released their first album since 2006, Gathering Change, in June, 2021. Beyond being musicians, the Borch Brothers are also activists, community builders and performers. Their aspirations aren’t for fame or fortune but instead to play more of their favourite gigs: where they connect with the audience as they bounce, dance and sing along.

Celtic Ceilidh Dance Academy

Saturday • 4:45 pm – 5:00 pm | Main Stage (119 Ave & 93 St in the Grassy Field)

The performing group from Celtic Ceilidh Dance Academy has received superb reviews for their fusions of Irish and Highland dance. This local Celtic dance group celebrates their heritage while entertaining with their traditional and choreographed numbers. If you enjoy a high energy performance featuring the sounds of Celtic music, including bagpipes - with people who are proud of their traditions and are dedicated to doing something cultural - this is something you’ll want to see. There is an obvious passion within the group and their choreographers that spills over into the audience. Dancers in the Irish and Scottish-Highland dance disciplines enjoy opportunities to travel, train, perform and compete with this group including regular visits to Scotland, Ireland, Disneyland and Disney World.

If you are interested in being a part of the Celtic dance world and would like information on how to get started, visit www.celticceilidhdance.com or call (780)490-4544. Celtic Ceilidh offers classes for all ages in Irish, Highland, Ballet, Tap and

Jazz as well as Yoga and Pilates. A summer camp is offered by Celtic Ceilidh in August that provides the perfect opportunity for your dancer to try all these dance types.