Tempest Strings

Tempest Strings met for the first time in 2014 on the shores of Vanier Park in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hired as the quartet-in-residence for the acclaimed Shakespeare Festival Bard on the Beach, they embarked on a shared journey of bringing to life Alessandro Juliani’s score for the festival’s summer production of The Tempest.

Praised for their inspired and seamless integration of music into the play, they performed for over 30,000 people and to critical acclaim. Inspired by the music and wedding magic of the summer, Tempest Strings now bring their gorgeous sound and dynamism to concerts, weddings and events around the Vancouver/Whistler area.

Program options include celtic, modern and classical music.

Uke Party

Uke Party is long-time musical collaborators and brothers Mark and Ian Beaty. They perform sing-along music for kids’ birthdays and community events.  They like singing the classics: Raffi, Fred Penner, Woody Guthrie, and other songs of a participatory nature.

Mark also offers individual and group ukulele lessons (as shown on the left).

Buckaroos

Buckaroos started as a musical front porch gathering in Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood, Strathcona. With a roster featuring banjo, guitar, upright bass, ukulele, and sweet lonesome harmonies, Buckaroos liven up all kinds of events. From country and old-timey classics of Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley and Merle Haggard to contemporary players Gillian Welch and Old Crow Medicine Show, the musicians of the Buckaroos bring the party with them.

La Candela

Marvellous and unusual—La Candela quickly rose to international reputation as a dedicated force of the Cuban repertoire.  Their signature west coast Cuban sound is inspired by the rich traditions of La Gran Isla, and no less informed by the sights, sounds and openness of their East Van community.  From Haida Gwaii to California to the Midwest, La Candela has been winning fans since its inception in 2001 by bassist Mark Beaty and pianist Cary Garcia. Always a hit with the salseros, the band’s rhythmical sophistication and infectious playing bring the most adamant lawn chair devotees to their feet. With rich brass, gorgeous piano and poppin’ bass, congas, timbales and vocal harmony all-around, this micro salsa orchestra plays hard and hits like a locomotora.