Desi Today Magazine
PRESENTED by KPU, Virtual Surrey Canada Day will take place on July 1, with the Family Show from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the Evening Show from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The City says that Surrey Canada Day is committed to sharing music, education, entertainment, and the cultural practices of many Indigenous and multicultural artists. The City invites residents to come together to experience diverse cultural expression, as well as the best of Canada and its hope for the future.
The Surrey Canada Day 2021 lineup will feature Buffy Sainte-Marie, Walk Off the Earth, Jim Cuddy, Bedouin Soundclash, William Prince, JoJo Mason, Celeigh Cardinal and many more.
“Join us for Virtual Surrey Canada Day to experience entertainment, education and cultural sharing,” said Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum on Monday. “The City of Surrey is proud to present international icon Buffy Sainte-Marie, and nationally recognized Canadian stars Walk Off the Earth and Jim Cuddy to our virtual stage. I invite you to tune into our livestream to celebrate incredible Canadian talent and our great country.”
Buffy Sainte-Marie is an award-winning Cree singer-songwriter, innovative artist and humanitarian who has been raising her voice to advocate for Indigenous people all over the world since the mid-1960s. Known for challenging the status quo, she sings songs of equality and healing, and is the first Indigenous person to win an Academy Award. She has also won a Golden Globe, multiple JUNO Awards, and the Polaris Music Prize.
Joining Buffy Sainte-Marie are Walk off the Earth and Jim Cuddy. Known for their world-renowned YouTube videos, Walk Off the Earth has garnered over 4 million YouTube subscribers, and collaborated with international recording artists including Snoop Dog, Keith Urban and Steve Aoki.
Jim Cuddy has been performing for over 35 years and is one of the most recognizable voices in Canadian music thanks to his work with multiple Juno award-winning rock band Blue Rodeo.
“We are delighted to support an opportunity for the people of Surrey to celebrate Canada Day in a safe way in 2021,” said Kwantlen Polytechnic University President Alan Davis. “Having moved most of our classes online during the pandemic, we know first-hand that virtual experiences, while different, are a valuable way of bringing people together to build and strengthen the bonds of friendship and community. We look forward to celebrating the pride and diversity of Canada and the City of Surrey this coming Canada Day.”
Hosted by CTV Morning Live TV personalities Keri Adams and Jason Pires, this year’s free family-friendly virtual event will feature a land acknowledgement from Kwantlen First Nation, as well as Indigenous cultural sharing from Semiahmoo First Nation, Kwantlen First Nation, JJ Lavallee, Carsen Grey, Notorious Cree, Road Engine Dreams, Tim Elijah, Davita Marsden and Matthew Stevens, Darcie Brertton, Alex Wells, Madelaine McCullum, Renae Morriseau, and the Tzokam Traditional Lil’wat Singers.
Surrey’s Canada Day celebration will showcase music and dance performances, a “Family Show” for kids and seniors, arts and crafts, special guest appearances, a Surrey Honda live car raffle, and a virtual firework finale to end the night.
The livestream will also feature musical performances by Surrey’s Tyler Joe Miller, Royal Academy of Bhangra, Buni Kor, Ndidi Cascade, Ria Mae, comedy by Erica Sigurdson, Play at Home Surrey Contest winner Ashley Pater and more. Plus, viewers can be entered to win over $2,000 of prizes during the livestream.
Additionally, residents of Surrey and across the Lower Mainland are invited to participate in the virtual celebrations by sending in a photo or short video sharing a “Happy Canada Day” message. Each submission will be entered to win a $200 gift card for participating Surrey Store to Door businesses and have a chance to be featured in the broadcast. Those submitting content can do so by posting on Facebook or Instagram using the campaign hashtags #SurreyCanadaDay or by emailing specialevents@surrey.ca.
The City of Surrey acknowledges that it is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), and Semiahma (Semiahmoo) land-based nations.
For more information, visit surrey.ca/canadaday
