- This event has passed.
Jade Music Fest 2023
October 18, 2023 @ 9:30 am - October 20, 2023 @ 9:00 pm
The second annual Jade Music Fest returns this October 18-20, taking place in both Vancouver and Richmond. This year, the artist lineup includes international artists from the USA, Australia, and Taiwan, and of course talents from all across Canada!
Despite the prominent and growing Chinese-speaking communities in Canada, we rarely hear Chinese-language music in mainstream media. For musicians who write in multiple languages or want to reconnect with their heritage, many are forced to go to Asia in search of their own stage. Jade Music Fest is a platform for industry professionals, emerging artists, and music lovers to share experiences, create supportive networks, and shine in the spotlight.
16 artists, 4 performance showcases, 3 artist talks, 3 workshops, and 2 panels. Join JMF in making Vancouver into North America’s hub for Chinese-language music!
Highlights include:
Time to Play For the Lost Time: Van Lefan & Jason Qiu
A cross-generational music presentation with Taiwanese-Canadian Van Lefan and Vancouver-based Jason Qiu who is of Cantonese background. Drawing inspiration from the golden classics of their parents’ generation, how do these memories and the immigrant experience influence their own creative works today?
Opening Concert: Strike the Chord featuring Xiao Bing Chih
A medley of different genres, a taste of the unlimited potential of Chinese-language music. Folk musician Daniel Lew sings with the strength he carries from overcoming the challenge of losing hearing in one ear; Chinese-Canadian Scope G invites his friends to share the vitality of experimenting with hip-hop; Juno award-winning Jacqueline Teh uses the warmth in her voice to heal others; and Taiwanese music artist Xiao Bing Chih shares his journey of personal growth with every song.
JMF Showcase: Rise Up
Telling stories through music. World-travelled Tennyson King reconnects with his roots using Mandarin and Cantonese; Taiwanese-Australian musician Kim Yang sings with the courage of a female Asian immigrant; flautist Mirabelle Jien of Calgary is reaching all corners of the world with her creativity; embracing her multifaceted identities is Darling Sparrows and her evolving folk songs; Cantopop band Dawn of Freedom protects the Hong Kong they call home through music.
JMF Showcase: Feel the Beat
Jazz songstress Kristin Fung brings her band to soothe a week’s worth of stress; Asian-American singer-songwriter Lowhi’s heartwarming voice offers us a reprieve for the weekend; Toronto-based Aiko Tomi boldly expresses herself through music and invites us to dance along; Amis Indigenous-Canadian Kapa Arkieh and Hong Kong-born handwash share their complex immigrant identity, showcasing the diverse landscape of Chinese-language music.
Learn more at jmfa.ca.