Cultural Night Market

Dan is an Algonquin from Pikwakanagan (pronounced Pik Wak Nagon) First Nation located at Golden Lake, Ontario.

Dan walks his path on mother earth in a sacred way. His Spirit Name is Animi Ana Qwat (Thunder Cloud). He was born in the village of Petawawa and was raised there with two brothers and one sister. His grandmother Sarah Jocko and his mother were born and raised in what is today called Springtown, close to Calabogie. Springtown was where many of the Algonquin people were moved from, to the Reserve at Golden Lake, ON. Dan has recently moved back to the Pembroke area after living in Ottawa for 40 years.

In 2022, Dan was contracted as an Indigenous Cultural/Spiritual Advisor under Elder Services by CSC (Corrections Service Canada) to work with Indigenous offenders. His work in Ottawa consists of helping Indigenous offenders to find services in the area upon release into the community. He also worked in various federal corrections facilities doing one-on-one counselling, mainly working with their culture loss, life skills, and addiction.

Dan also sits on the Aboriginal Sports Circle, Board of Directors, as an elder advisor. He conducts various teachings and ceremonies for a variety of stake holders, including the several Federal and Provincial Government agencies as well as Algonquin College, the Renfrew County Catholic School Board, and the Indigenous Policing Canada.

The name of the group, Siqiniup Qilauta, roughly translates to "the Sun's Drum." The name was influenced by an Inuit legend they heard about the sun. When the sun has a complete halo around it, it indicates good luck, and the halo represents a drum. Sundsdrum includes throatsinging, drum dancing, and Inuit games in our interactive shows.

To learn more about Siqiniup Qilauta Sunsdrum, visit their Facebook page.

As 2020 got underway, Ottawa-based singer/songwriter, Mikhail Laxton, was set to open the next chapter of his life with the release of his debut EP, Real, a collection of soul-folk gems. But what should have been the wider world's introduction to the Australian-born artist's immense talent - already established in his homeland through appearances on Australia's version of The Voice - was lost in the cacophony of pandemic confusion.

Mikhail coped the only way he could, by wiping the slate clean and re-emerging with a new crop of songs from the core of his being. His new album is simply entitled Mikhail Laxton, because it is who he is. The contrast between his first EP and Mikhail Laxton is striking. On "Something That Was Gone," he takes stock of the past two years in meditative fashion, almost as if channeling Otis Redding's "Dock of the Bay." "Maybe It's A Good Thing" continues in that vein, suggesting that change always brings hope, regardless of the circumstances. Meanwhile, other tracks take Mikhail's sound in new directions, such as deep country-soul of "Stream," the sultry, vintage R&B of "Slow Motion," and the driving rock of "Leaving You With Less."

Not only does Mikhail Laxton fulfill the promise of his debut, it firmly establishes him as one of the most vital new voices within the Canadian music scene. No matter what genre labels are placed upon him, there can be no disputing that Mikhail Laxton has his own timeless sound, the product of a unique life experience.

To learn more about Mikhail Laxton, visit his website at https://mikhaillaxton.com/, or visit his Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.

In this unlikely mash-up of tight two-part harmonies, baritone sax, samplers, and percussion, two core members of three-time Juno-nominated Souljazz Orchestra, Ray Murray and Philippe Lafreniere (a.k.a., Ray Tabana and Phil Motion), now take to the stage as a duo, marrying carefully crafted lyrics with powerful and exciting up-tempo rhythms for a modern, edgy, and refreshing take on music that isn't quite afro, funk, or soul. Thumpy melodic low-end bass and heavy 808 kick drum lay a thick foundation for syncopated guitar notes and analog synth cords that are met with live baritone sax, vocal leads that run in parallel, and a barrage of bells, blocks, congas, and shakers. Writing in the shadows of the pandemic, the duo is now putting finishing touches on their first videos and tracks to be released through the summer and fall of 2022.

To learn more about DYSTOH, visit their Instagram page.

We are the Diva's of Arnprior, celebrating our 1 year of performing at Urban Angus. We are so excited to perform and entertain for you all at the Town of Arnprior Cultural Night Market. Let's introduce you to the Queens. Sophia Sapphire is THE host Queen and she can turn a stunt and make you laugh all-in-one. Holli Cow is our hometown girl, otherwise known as the "Dancing Diva of Arnprior." SOMEBODY call the National Geographic, because the Yeti does exist and she's a fabulous drag queen here to slay any stage.

To learn more about the Queens, visit their Instagram pages:

Sophia Sapphire

Holli Cow

Educator and performer Luciano Porto has been teaching music and movement to school children of all ages across Ontario for 15 years. He has been in the roster of Artists in Education with the Ontario Arts Council and through it reached isolated communities in Northern Ontario. Luciano’s teaching style translates across cultural barriers and stimulates curiosity, creativity, focus and tolerance among the most diverse groups. Be ready for an exciting cultural experience that is both authentic and true to the art forms.

To learn more about Luciano Porto, visit his Facebook and Instagram pages.

The name of the group, Siqiniup Qilauta, roughly translates to "the Sun's Drum." The name was influenced by an Inuit legend they heard about the sun. When the sun has a complete halo around it, it indicates good luck, and the halo represents a drum. Sundsdrum includes throatsinging, drum dancing, and Inuit games in our interactive shows.

To learn more about Siqiniup Qilauta Sunsdrum, visit their Facebook page.